Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre — Attraction in Entebbe City

We visited the conservation center for the "behind the scenes tour", and while it was very interesting to see, and interact with the wildlife, there were unfortunately some things we felt were questionably ethical and made us uncomfortable.

Firstly, our guide, who did know his stuff, started off our tour by asking "Trump or Biden", when I refused to answer he pushed me for an answer before backing off. I felt this extremely innapropriate to ask two British tourists - if I wanted to talk politics I'd seek an appropriate place, not a zoo!!!

He took us to see the lions, they had a large enclosure, but half of them were kept in tiny cages, the keepers were cleaning around these cages and it was very noisy! There were also very loud beeps from various machines, which, by the lion's behaviour (quickly pacing around), clearly disturbed them.

We then went to see the rinos, they were very sweet beasts, but I was heartbroken to learn they had no plans to release them into the wild (which I thought the aim of a conservation and rehabilitation center was! - this was also the same for the lions). The keeper then encouraged us to touch them - pressuring us quite a lot - I made comments about how it was unnecessary to disturb them while they ate, and be justified this by telling me touching them would somehow make me appreciate these animals and the importance of their conservation... I study ecology and conservation, and know this isn't the case...

We then went to see other animals, this part of the tour was less disturbing, however, I was a bit concerned about how much the animals were being fed, tourists could pay to feed them. I asked if this promoted overfeeding and the guide assured me this didn't, but I'm worried about these animals.

Finally, we went to see some tigers, I was told these were Asian tigers, which led me to the natural question of "why are these in an African conservation center". My guide's reply was for commercial purposes, these poor (endangered) creatures are being kept thousands of miles from their home for tourism, with no intention of breeding them or releasing them into their natural habitat... Suprising for a "conservation center".

Finally, our guide was explaining to us where all the animals in the centre came from. 80% were rescued from the illegal pet trade, or unfortunate interactions with humans, however, shockingly 20% were Traded?!?!? I was shocked to learn this zoo exchanged animals with other zoos around the world. Our guide explained to us how two endangered monkies only found in Uganda were exchanged for a pair of Asian tigers, which just sounds wrong, especially for a conservation center.

We were severely overcharged, and would not call this place a conservation center, rather a zoo. I'd also like to add that during our visit half the zoo was under "temporary" construction or being cleaned, something which other reviews from months...

Detailed review: Parking is murram, no direction signs so you guess which of the 2 roads are entrance or exit, we did have to reverse because the guard told us we used the wrong one. That didn't bother us. From there you walk to the small gate to enter the zoo yard. There, 3 venders made the small gate even narrawer, selling drinks and small snacks. Why do they have to be 3 selling the same things? Don't be deceived into buying those drinks because after you day and enter the zoo, there is a signpost that no drinks allowed. You pay a fee to make videos. They do have a shop where you can buy drinks. The fun begins at this point. We got to see many animals, there are extra activities you can do like camel riding, there are toys for sale, so many amazing huge trees and plants. Most of the plants are left in their natural state, giving it a feel of being out in the wild. Unfortunately some animals are missing, you need to take stairs to view some animals and the stairs are ridiculously uneven, while the first and last steps are too high, the others are shorter but also uneven. Who builds these things? If you have been to zoos, around the world, it might be a little disappointing. The highlight was for us the beach. There we could truly relax and have a meal. The fries(chips) were hard. The fish was good. And the chicken, well, the Marabou Stork stole it off the plate. Withing minutes we were sorrounded by 7 huge birds. We had a baby and toddler so i was busy trying to save my babies as they shot for our plate. It was so amazing how precise they were because most of the fries were left on the plate (even the birds know these ain't tasty) and no plate fell, my toddler who was only 30cm away from the plate didn't even realise what happened bse of how fast it all took place. To be fair, the waiter told us the birds are so sharp, but there was no way of knowing how bad it could get. In Retrospect, it was so funny. The beach is soooo soothing. I also loved the play ground. We unfortunately didn't get to try that because we ran out of time but i could see all the kids have the time of their lives on all the swings, slides and bouncing castles. The have bikes for kids too for a fee. All in all, it was a great place to be. Not everything is perfect but you can relax and have a good time with your family. To management: Please work on mantaining it before it is run down too much. Correct what aint working well and make some renovations. You could do better on the signposts quality and...

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) is a remarkable place to visit if you are a wildlife enthusiast. Located in Entebbe,the UWEC is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Uganda who wants to learn more about the country's diverse wildlife.

The centre is home to a wide range of animals, including lions, leopards, chimpanzees, snakes,and numerous bird species. It provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

The centre is well-maintained, and the animals are treated with utmost care and attention. The enclosures are spacious and provide a comfortable environment for the animals. Visitors are allowed to walk around the different habitats and observe the animals as they go about their daily activities. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to answer any questions visitors may have about the animals and their habitats.

The centre also offers educational programs for children and adults alike, where visitors can learn about the importance of wildlife conservation and how they can play a role in protecting these precious animals. The interactive exhibits and presentations are engaging and informative, making the learning experience both enjoyable and enlightening.

One of the most memorable experiences at UWEC is the opportunity to interact with some of the animals, such as the chimps and snakes. Visitors can see firsthand how these animals behave in their natural environment and gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of their place in the ecosystem.

Overall, the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre is an excellent destination for individuals and families looking to learn about Uganda's amazing wildlife. The centre's commitment to conservation and education, combined with the opportunity to see the animals up close, make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in wildlife and nature.......