Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) in Entebbe, Entebbe: Tickets, Hours and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Entebbe, Entebbe
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Uganda's primary wildlife rescue and education centre, 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport, with lions, giraffes, chimps and a shoebill.
What is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo)?
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, universally known as the Entebbe Zoo, is the country's primary wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport on the northwestern shore of Lake Victoria. It began in 1951 as an animal orphanage, became a conventional zoo in the 1960s and was restructured in 1994 around conservation education and rescue. In 2024 it was merged with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The 72-acre site combines forest walkways, wetland edges and open enclosures rather than rows of cages. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, elephants and antelope live in spacious paddocks. A resident chimpanzee community occupies a forested island section, and a walk-through forest brings vervet and colobus monkeys close. The reptile section holds Nile crocodiles and African rock pythons, and the centre's shoebill stork is one of the most reliable close-range sightings in Uganda. Over 200 bird species have been recorded on the grounds, and hippos can be watched from the Lake Victoria shoreline paths.
UWEC is Uganda's main rescue and rehabilitation facility and runs conservation education for schools across the country.
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) ticket prices 2026
| Visitor type | Adult | Child (3-14) | Toddler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya / East African resident | UGX 20,000 | UGX 10,000 | Free |
| Non-resident | UGX 15 | UGX 10 | Free |
East African adults UGX 20,000 and children UGX 10,000; foreign non-resident adults USD 15 and children 3-14 USD 10; under-3s free. Behind the Scenes tour USD 30-50 per person; Chimpanzee Up Close USD 250-300 including health clearances; boat ride UGX 20,000 per person; parking UGX 2,000.
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💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Book online The booking portal lists day visits and experiences with prices
- Arrive early Animals are most active before the midday heat
- Bring a carrier Forest trails are not pushchair-friendly
Is it right for your child's age?
| Age group | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | Good | Pushchair-friendly main paths and a short visit |
| 3-5 years | Great | Close views of giraffes, monkeys and tortoises |
| 6-9 years | Great | Reptiles, chimpanzees and the boat ride |
| 10-12 years | Great | Conservation talks and the shoebill |
| 13+ years | Great | Full tour plus behind-the-scenes options |
Perfect visit planner
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Key details
- Address
- Plot 12, Lugard Avenue, Entebbe, on the northwestern shore of Lake Victoria, about 36 km from Kampala, Entebbe
- Opening hours
- Daily 8am to 6pm; arrive by 4pm for the best animal viewing Open now
- How long to plan
- 2 to 3 hours
- Suitable ages
- All ages
- Setting
- Both
- Booking
- Walk-in; book the Behind the Scenes tour or Chimpanzee Up Close in advance
- Payment accepted
- Mobile money, card and cash at the gate (confirm)
What to expect when you visit
Pay at the main gate, collect a map, then walk the loop past the carnivores, the giraffe and elephant paddocks, the chimpanzee forest and the reptile section. The Lake Victoria shoreline path brings you close to hippos and waterbirds.
Allow two to three hours for the main loop. Add the boat ride from the centre's pier for a different view of the bay, or book the Behind the Scenes tour to see the veterinary unit and feeding stations.
What if...?
The questions every parent asks before booking. Tap to expand.
How long do we need?
Two to three hours covers the main loop; add an hour for a boat ride.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
Yes, but bring a carrier for the forest trails.
Can we pay by card?
Mobile money is widely used; confirm card acceptance at the gate.
Family essentials
- Suitable age bands
- 0–2 years
- 3–5 years
- 6–9 years
- 10–12 years
- 13+ years
- Toddler suitability
- Good for toddlers on the main paths
- Facilities
- Toilets
- Cafe or food on site
- Picnic areas
- Gift shop
- Parking
- Accommodation
- Access and parking
- Level main paths; forest trails uneven
- Safety notes
Stay behind barriers, do not feed animals, and hold children's hands on the Lake Victoria shoreline where hippos and crocodiles live.
Tickets and costs
- Parking
- UGX 2,000
- Free entry rules
- No
- Extra costs (activities, rentals, food)
Boat ride, Behind the Scenes tour, Chimpanzee Up Close, Keeper for a Day, animal rides, forest trails
Plan your visit
- Combine with
- Entebbe Botanical Gardens
- Uganda Reptile Village
- Ngamba Island
- What to bring
- Sun hat
- sunscreen
- water
- mosquito repellent
- camera
Accessibility deep dive
Here is what to expect on the ground.
Combine your visit
Plan the perfect day
Resident family of four estimate: about UGX 60,000 in entry plus extras
What to pack
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Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo)?
- Kenya and East African resident adults pay UGX 20,000 and resident children (ages 3-14) pay UGX 10,000. Non-resident adults pay UGX 15 and non-resident children pay UGX 10. Children under the toddler age enter free. East African adults UGX 20,000 and children UGX 10,000; foreign non-resident adults USD 15 and children 3-14 USD 10; under-3s free. Behind the Scenes tour USD 30-50 per person; Chimpanzee Up Close USD 250-300 including health clearances; boat ride UGX 20,000 per person; parking UGX 2,000.
- What are the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) opening hours?
- Daily 8am to 6pm; arrive by 4pm for the best animal viewing.
- Is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) suitable for toddlers and young children?
- Stay behind barriers, do not feed animals, and hold children's hands on the Lake Victoria shoreline where hippos and crocodiles live.
- How long do you need at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo)?
- Plan for 2 to 3 hours.
- What payment methods does Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) accept?
- Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) accepts Mobile money, card and cash at the gate (confirm). It does not accept cash.
- Is Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) accessible, and is there parking?
- Access and parking: Level main paths; forest trails uneven.
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