If you have a spare day in Kampala, or you’re travelling with children, CTC Conservation Center near Mpigi is one of the easier wildlife outings from the city. Here’s what it is, what it costs, and what to think about before you go.
Where it is
CTC is a privately owned wildlife centre, established in 2015, a short drive from Mpigi town off the Kampala–Masaka road. Allow roughly an hour to an hour and a half from central Kampala, depending on traffic.
What you’ll see
The centre keeps a mix of African and non-African species. Its best-known residents are Madagascar’s lemurs, including ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Other animals include zebras, impalas, tortoises, chameleons, crocodiles and snakes, along with lions. The collection changes over time.
Cost and booking
Visits are guided and by appointment. At the time of writing, tour options range from roughly US$45 for a lemur-only visit to around US$130 for the most complete tour, with lower prices for children. We’ll confirm current prices and book your slot.
A note on animal encounters
Some visits at centres like this involve close contact with young animals, including lion cubs. Many conservation organisations advise against handling big-cat cubs, because it can encourage breeding animals for tourism. Our suggestion is to choose the options that let you watch and learn rather than hold, and to ask the guides how the animals came to the centre and what happens to them as they grow. You can enjoy the visit and still travel responsibly.
Make a day of it
- Stop at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe on the Masaka road.
- Walk in Mpanga Forest, near Mpigi, for birds and butterflies.
- Combine with a morning search for the shoebill stork at Mabamba Swamp.
