Magento: Load selected categories in magento

template.phtml

<?php 
$categories = Mage::getModel('catalog/category')->getCollection();
$categories->addAttributeToSelect('*');
$categories->addAttributeToFilter('is_active', 1);
$categories->addAttributeToFilter('entity_id', array('in' => array(3,4,5,6,7)));// Loading selected categories by passing array
$categories->load();

// Normal list of categories
if($categories){
  echo "<ul>";
	foreach($categories as $category){
		echo "<li><a href='".$category->getUrl()."'>".$category->getName()."</a></li>";
	}
	echo "</ul>";
}
?>