Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is where your journey begins and ends.
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, this relaxed lakeside town is home to Uganda’s international airport and makes for a great soft landing (or farewell) to your roadtrip adventure.
Covered on this page:
Things to do
- Buy a local SIM card
At the airport or Victoria Mall – choose MTN or Airtel - Stock up on essentials
Victoria Mall has shops, supermarkets, and ATMs - Shoebill excursion
- Head out early to Mabamba Swamp, hop on a canoe and spot the iconic shoebill stork! This half-day excursion is arranged through Via Via Guesthouse. You can pass by a day in advance to place your booking or give them a call.
- Relax by the lake
Hang out at the shore, meet the locals, enjoy the breeze - Explore Entebbe by bike
Rent one from Via Via Guesthouse and cruise around town - Take a pool day
At Laico or Protea Hotel, day visitors are welcome (entry fee applies) - Stroll through the Botanical Gardens
Perfect for a relaxed walk and bird spotting - Visit the Bafrika Creationz Art Gallery
Right across from the Botanical Gardens entrance - Book a massage with Mary
Highly recommended! Call or WhatsApp +256 (0) 771 980 390 to book
Restaurant tips
- Muti Garden Café and Restaurant – peaceful garden setting
- 2 Friends Beach Hotel – lakeside with a view
- The Rolex Guy – try Uganda’s most famous street food
- Gately Inn – great for continental dishes
To: Lake Mburo
Approx. 6 hours | 265 km
Leaving Entebbe
Take the Express Highway toward Kampala — this is Uganda’s only toll road.
Tip: bring a 5,000 UGX note for the toll booth.
After the second toll point (exit), take the first left towards Kampala.
- At the first roundabout, take the last exit
- At the second, go straight
- At the third, take the last exit towards Masaka
You’re now on the Kampala–Masaka–Mbarara road.
On the way
Equator photo stop – a must!
- Take a corny picture while you stand with one foot in each hemisphere 🙂
- Grab a coffee, juice, or check out souvenir stalls
Take a break in Masaka
- Here, you’ll find ATMs, petrol stations and supermarkets
- Great lunch stop: Villa Katwe
Reaching your lodge
Most lodges are outside the park gates (except Mihingo Lodge). If you stay at:
- Rwakobo Rock – enter via Nshara Gate (Masaka side)
- Hyena Hill or Eagle’s Nest – use Sanga Gate (Mbarara side)
There are two route options:
- Cross through the park: Enter Nshara → exit Sanga (park fees apply)
- Drive around the park: Stay on the main road → turn off at Sanga Gate signs. This lets you enter the park the next day and save on entrance fees
To: Ziwa/Murchison
Approx. 7 – 9 hours | approx. 337 km
Step 1: Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Approx. 4.5 hours
Take the Northern Bypass to avoid Kampala traffic. This leads to the Entebbe Express Highway — Uganda’s only toll road. Tip: bring 5,000 UGX for the toll.
A well-maintained tarmac road leads you to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Break tip: Gators Café Migera (just before Ziwa) is great for lunch and coffee.
Step 2: Ziwa to Masindi
Approx. 50 minutes
Refuel and stock up in Masindi, the gateway to Murchison Falls.
Step 3: Masindi to Murchison River Lodge
When you are staying in Murchison River Lodge, there are 2 routes which you can take:
Option A: Short route through the park
Approx. 2 hours | 85 km
- Enter via Kichumbanyobo Gate
- Exit via Makubo Gate
- Roads are a mix of well-maintained tarmac and gravel. Note that most of the wildlife can only be spotted in the northern section of the park. So don’t expect a scenic game drive in this part.
Option B: A little longer, but scenic route along Lake Albert
Approx. 4.5 hours | 127 km
- Avoids park fees
- Stunning views over Lake Albert
Route details:
- From Masindi, go in the direction of Biso by going straight for approximately 1.5 km
- At the fork, take a right at the Kinyara Sugar sign
- Follow the road through Kinyara town, Budongo Forest, and into Biso town
- Continue straight until you eventually drop down into the Albertine Rift Valley, which offers spectacular views of Butiaba town and Lake Albert (the road is steep, so drive carefully)
- At Buliisa, turn right at the Bugungu Gate sign
- After 10 km, reach Ngwedo town (landmark: phone mast)
- Turn left at the mast, follow signs to Murchison River Lodge
Staying near Tangi Gate (e.g. Fort Murchison)
Follow option A — you’ll cross the entire park via Kichumbanyobo Gate, pass Paraa, and cross the Nile via a permanent bridge. Wildlife viewing is best north of Paraa. The drive from Masindi to Fort Murchison is approximately 3 hours / 114 km.
To summarise the travel time:
- Entebbe → Ziwa: 4.5 hrs
- Ziwa → Masindi: 50 min
- Masindi → Murchison River Lodge: 2 hrs through the park or 4.5 hrs via Lake Albert
- Masindi → Fort Murchison: 3 hrs