Places to visit in Entebbe this Easter weekend

The religious and faith context notwithstanding, people generally perceive the Easter holiday is a time to unwind from the usual bustles of work.

Aside from church services, eating and merrymaking are always part of the Easter menu. Checking out the accommodation and 'happening' places, most of them are already booked to capacity by revellers and families.

Being the longest first public holiday after the lockdown, several beaches, bars and clubs remain optimistic to mint from people who wish to shed off the lockdown fatigue.

Entebbe Municipality is a popular weekend retreat and lakeside resort, with a rich cosmopolitan community.

The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway allows a swift flow of traffic to and from Entebbe. Photo by Julius Luwemba

Known for its serene environment due to its proximity to Lake Victoria, the peninsula harbours a number of hotels and hang-out places for visitors from all walks of life.

The area which was once Uganda's capital city during colonial times encloses special installations such as the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) commonly known as Entebbe Zoo.

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Photo by Julius Luwemba

The centre is not only a semi-natural home to a vast number of birds, rescued reptiles and apes, but also an endpoint for children because of their centre and the recently commissioned children's zoo. The evergreen forest, plastic village, floating restaurant, bandas and the longest beach in Entebbe, remain a supplement of what UWEC visitors are assured of, once they visit the centre.

South of the State House, are splendid gardens laid out on a 40-hectare piece of land, stretching over a kilometre along the scenic shores of Lake Victoria. The Botanical gardens are a representation of typical tropical rain forests and wetland ecosystems which attract a vast number of birds and monkeys.

Kitinda lakeside beach is one of the attractions. Photo by Julius Luwemba

The gardens are home to over 400 plant species forming canopies and shades which continue to attract people from all walks of life to enjoy a soothing peaceful environment whose silence can only be broken by the singing birds.

Beaches such as Spenah, Kitinda Lakeside, Greenyard Beach (formerly Missed Call Beach) and Resort Beach have since the reopening of the economy, maintained to stay quiet from all sorts of artificial sound.

Spenah Beach is another popular attraction. Photo by Julius Luwemba

Whereas revellers are allowed to play music by their boom speakers, big public address systems are rarely tolerated in order to allow visitors to enjoy the natural sound of water ripples, perching birds and whooshing trees.

Other beaches like Lido, Aero, Freedom beach, Anderita stretch among others, have maintained the true identity of Entebbe where lovers hang out till dusk, watching the golden setting sun breathtakingly kiss the waters of Lake Victoria as the moon takes the stage to cater for night owls.

Entebbe has maintained its quiet environment as all the renowned clubs and bars have soundproof walls, not to allow noise to antagonise neighbours.

Lying 23 kilometres from Entebbe, is Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary which is only accessed by boat. The home of over 50 chimpanzees, is also a serene environment for holiday lovers and honeymooners.

Looking for a hangout place this Easter, visit Uganda's main gateway―Entebbe.