It has been a while since I posted about being out and about. Now that a few places are slowly opening up, we can move around a bit more. Which is great for the kids; being cooped up in the compound is not a very pleasant experience.

The Uganda Reptiles Village is a community based organisation located in Entebbe, committed to the rescue, conservation, and releasing back to the wild, different reptile species from all around the area. It is also an information centre to learn more about different reptiles. It is not hard to get to, about 2-3 kms off the main road, and is open daily.

Their entrance fees are 8 and 5 dollars respectively for adults and kids. Some may think it is a bit pricey but given that it’s a community based initiative, it is ok as the money is being utilised by those around, and assists in conservation of these species that may have been killed by humans too.

It is definitely worth a visit when one is in the vicinity. Where else would you be able to see the Nile monitor lizard side by side a couple of young Nile crocodiles, an old leopard tortoise and a black tortoise (which my son thought was shaped like a spaceship), and various snakes from the lethal Gabon Viper, boomslang, the deadly Jameson Mamba, and forest and Egyptian cobra?

The reptile village is not a very big place so it might not take you more than an hour to get around, and you can hold a tortoise, a chameleon and a snake if you want.

There is a playground for the kids, and one can take short boat rides to watch tens of different beautiful bird species in the area, but this is not possible at the moment due to the rising lake levels that have submerged some of these areas.

All in all, it was a nice informative visit. The kids and I learnt so much, our guide Lawrence was very knowledgeable and answered our questions with patience too.

It is definitely worth a visit for kids and adults alike.