Uganda Wildlife Education Centre

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) was established in 1952 and is presently set on a 72 acre piece of land. It is located in Entebbe town on the shores of Lake Victoria, about 36 kilometers from Uganda’s Capital city Kampala and about 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport.

It is incumbent upon the said Centre to rescue and rehabilitate injured, confiscated and orphaned wildlife after which most of them are released back into the wild after successful rehabilitation while others are sheltered at the Centre  for educational purposes. UWEC’s model of education conservation is one that combines dissemination of information with entertainment while emphasizing sustainable utilisation of the county’s biodiversity.

According to UWEC’s website, there are over 121 bird species in their forest, 283 animals in their care, 13 big cats at the Centre and 250 herbs and medicinal plants in their forest. On top of the wildlife educational services, the Centre also boasts of other activities that include a multi-tiered soft children’s play area, beach games at the Lake Victoria beach line, forest walk experience, Donkey and Camel Rides, the Noah’s Ark ride and first aid services among others.

The Centre educates its visitors through well informed keepers and guides who deal with the animals on a regular basis. A visitor is also offered an opportunity to become an animal surrogate mother for a day and participate in behind the scene experiences.

Payment for the services at the Centre often depends on the activities preferred as well differences in nationality, resident status and age.

UWEC also provides accommodation to its visitors who wish to have the ultimate experience of the wild. Accommodation is in form of two-bedroomed self contained flats, hostels with either private single beds or communal bunk beds ideal for student accommodation, African traditional-styled furnished cottages as well as a campsite with adequate space for campers with tents.

All in all, if one is looking for a holistic experience in the wild without getting too far from the Capital city, then Uganda Wildlife Education Centre is the place to be.