This boutique hotel is nestled in the lush green hillside of Entebbe and was once a presidential residence. Situated a mere 10-minute drive from Entebbe Airport, Karibu – which means ‘welcome’ in Swahili - is an ideal retreat before or after a life-changing gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

Karibu Entebbe is renowned for its second-to-none personalized service and friendly staff. Rooms look onto the estate’s bird-filled gardens or boast superb sunset views over Lake Victoria. Avid birders have recorded more than 30 different species around Karibu’s ‘Garden of Eden’ including Ross’s turaco, African grey parrot, and resident palm nut vultures and black-and-white-casqued hornbills.

Entebbe is located on a small peninsula in Lake Victoria, the world’s biggest tropical lake. The bustling town offers its visitors activities like seeing over 300 varieties of exotic plants, and admiring black-and-white colobus monkeys in the beautiful Entebbe Botanical Gardens (look out for their furry tails as they dart expertly from tree to tree). The rainforest zone of these gardens was the location used during the filming of the original 1940 Hollywood classic, Tarzan. Other activities include visiting the Jane Goodall Institute’s Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, sunset boat cruises on the lake, or exploring the Mbamba Swamp in search of the fascinating and rare shoebill stork. Entebbe also has a well-maintained golf course embraced by exotic trees, and anglers can go on boat trips to fish for the legendary Nile perch.

Highlights

• Friendly staff, excellent service, and delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients
• Birdwatching with 30 species recorded on the estate alone
• Swimming pool with natural waterfall
• Former presidential residence surrounded by beautiful gardens
• Homely stopover in-between gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Activities

• BIRD WATCHING
• BOAT EXCURSIONS
• FISHING
• GOLF

Rooms

Garden Room

These rooms look out onto Karibu’s exquisite garden, gushing with vibrant colors from its fruit trees and bougainvillea vines. Have a seat on your shaded veranda and savor the tranquil birdsong emitted from the gardens.

Lake View Room

Located on the upper level of the original presidential house, the west-facing Lake View Rooms offer knockout views of the sun setting over Lake Victoria. Enjoy these spacious, airy rooms equipped with ceiling fans and large beds draped with mosquito nets. Bathrooms are en suite.

Facilities

Karibu’s oasis-like swimming pool is surrounded by the lush garden’s palm, hibiscus, avocado, and mango trees. It features a natural rock waterfall and is a wonderful spot for relaxation.

Dining

The hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired dishes are prepared with fresh fish, meat, and vegetables gathered daily from nearby markets in Entebbe. Everything else is grown in Karibu’s organic gardens. Fresh breads are baked on-site, soups are simmered down from only whole ingredients, and meat (when appropriate) is slow-cooked with care by a team of splendid chefs.