Uganda is a big country with slow roads. The drive from Kampala to Bwindi takes most of a day, and Kidepo is further still. Small scheduled planes cut those days down to an hour or two in the air. This guide is mainly for visitors planning a safari, but it’s just as useful for Ugandans and residents who want a long weekend in a park without two days of driving.
Who flies to the parks
- Aerolink Uganda is the main scheduled safari airline. It flies Cessna 208 Caravans, which carry about 12 passengers, from Entebbe International Airport to the park airstrips.
- BAR Aviation Uganda also runs scheduled domestic flights, from Entebbe and from Kajjansi airfield between Entebbe and Kampala. Its network includes Kisoro, Kasese and the Murchison airstrips.
Both also fly charters. Routes and days change by season, so treat the lists below as a guide and let us confirm the timetable for your dates.
Which airstrip for which park
- Bwindi, southern sectors (Rushaga, Nkuringo) and Mgahinga: Kisoro airstrip. On the timetable Aerolink published for the 2024/25 high season, the morning flight from Entebbe took about an hour and a quarter. See our pages on Bwindi and Mgahinga.
- Bwindi, northern sector (Buhoma) and Ishasha: Kihihi airstrip. It suits a trip that combines gorillas with the tree-climbing lions of southern Queen Elizabeth.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya airstrip, on the peninsula near the Kazinga Channel, or Kasese. Kasese is also the airstrip for Kibale and the Rwenzori Mountains.
- Murchison Falls National Park: Pakuba on the north bank, close to the game drive circuits; Bugungu on the south side; and Chobe, in the park’s east. Our Murchison page explains the different areas.
- Kidepo Valley National Park: Kidepo airstrip at Lomej, about 3 km from the park headquarters. Northern routes often run on set days and may need a minimum number of passengers.
- Semuliki: Semliki airstrip, on the scheduled network when there’s demand, or by charter.
Many flights make more than one stop, so a flight to Kihihi might land at Kisoro or Kasese on the way. That’s normal, and it’s a good chance to see the country from the air.
The luggage limit is strict
This is where most people get caught out. According to Aerolink’s baggage policy:
- The allowance is 15 kg per person in total, and that includes your hand luggage.
- Bags must be soft-sided, roughly 60 x 45 x 33 cm for the main bag. Hard suitcases may not fit the hold.
- Personal items like a small daypack or handbag can be up to 5 kg, but they count towards the 15 kg.
- Extra weight, if there’s space on the day, has been charged at US$3 a kilo on local flights. Travellers with a lot of kit can book an extra seat for freight in advance, which carries up to 75 kg.
- You can leave extra bags with the ground handler at Entebbe for a small nightly fee if you’re coming back the same way.
Camera gear adds up fast. If you’re carrying long lenses, talk to us before you book so we can plan the weight properly.
Fly or drive?
By road, Bwindi is a full day from Kampala, 8 to 10 hours, and Queen Elizabeth about 6 to 7 hours. Kidepo is a very long day, and many people break it with a night on the way. Here’s how we weigh it up:
- Fly if you’re short of time, you’re going to Kidepo, or you’d rather spend your days in the parks than on the road.
- Drive if you’re on a tighter budget, travelling as a family or group (one vehicle costs the same for four people as for two), or you enjoy seeing villages, markets and tea estates along the way.
- Mix them. A popular plan is to drive out through Kibale and Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi, then fly back to Entebbe from Kihihi or Kisoro. You see the country, and skip the longest drive home.
When you fly, your safari vehicle and guide can meet you at the airstrip, or your lodge can collect you. We arrange that as part of the trip.
What about fares?
Fares depend on the route, the season and the number of stops, and they change each year. We don’t want to quote an out-of-date number here, so ask us and we’ll confirm the current fare for your dates.
Practical tips
- Book early. Aircraft are small and seats go quickly in peak months. Aerolink has asked for tickets to be bought at least 14 days before departure.
- Leave room for weather. Morning cloud over the hills can delay flights. Don’t fly out of a park on the same day as an international connection if you can avoid it.
- Bring your passport, even on a domestic flight.
For more on the airport itself, see our Entebbe airport guide. Tell us which parks you want to see and how many days you have, and we’ll work out where flying saves you the most time.
