Fly-in safari Uganda: which airstrips and lodges are connected? Uganda is one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations — a place where mist-draped gorilla forests, roaring waterfalls, and ancient savanna plains coexist within a surprisingly compact country. The challenge has always been getting between these wonders without spending your holiday on bumpy roads. That is precisely why fly-in safaris in Uganda have surged in popularity. In just 90 minutes by light aircraft, you can leapfrog the long drives and land directly at the doorstep of a luxury lodge deep inside a national park.

In this guide, we break down Uganda’s key airstrips, the lodges they connect to, and how to build your perfect fly-in safari itinerary. Whether you are chasing gorillas in Bwindi, lions in Queen Elizabeth, or elephants in Murchison Falls, knowing which airstrip serves which lodge is the first step to a seamless trip. Ready to take off? Explore our Uganda fly-in safari packages to start planning today.

Why Choose a Fly-In Safari in Uganda?

Overland distances in Uganda are deceptively long. The drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for example, takes roughly 9 to 10 hours on winding mountain roads. Flying cuts that to just over one hour. Beyond saving time, fly-in safaris deliver something road travel simply cannot: a sweeping aerial view of the Albertine Rift, the Victoria Nile glittering below, and crater lakes dotting the landscape like scattered mirrors. For families, older travellers, and those on shorter itineraries, flying is not a luxury — it is the practical choice.

Uganda currently has two domestic flight hubs: Entebbe International Airport (EBB), which is the main international gateway, and Kajjansi Airfield on the outskirts of Kampala. From these two points, scheduled and chartered flights operated by airlines such as Aerolink Uganda and Fly Uganda radiate outward to airstrips across the country’s major parks. Luggage limits typically apply (around 15 kg per person in soft bags), so pack light and leave the hard-sided cases at home.

To understand your entry requirements and visa options before travel, visit the Uganda Tourism Board’s official portal.

Murchison Falls National Park: Pakuba, Bugungu & Chobe Airstrips

Uganda’s largest and oldest national park is also one of the most dramatic, centred on a point where the entire Nile River squeezes through an 8-metre-wide gorge before plunging 45 metres in a thunderous cascade. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Murchison Falls National Park covers over 3,840 square kilometres of savanna, woodland, and riverine forest.

Three airstrips serve the park, and each connects to different lodges and sectors:

Pakuba Airstrip sits inside the park on its northern bank and is the primary gateway for the park’s northern circuit. Guests flying into Pakuba are transferred to Pakuba Safari Lodge, the park’s mid-range gem operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority, or to Chobe Safari Lodge, a riverside property offering front-row views of the Nile. The northern bank is where you will find the highest concentration of game — giraffes, lions, elephants, and the park’s iconic boat cruise up to the base of the falls.

Bugungu Airstrip lies south of the park and connects travellers to the southern bank, most notably to the acclaimed Baker’s Lodge, a small-luxury camp named after explorer Samuel Baker. Bugungu is the preferred landing point for guests combining Murchison with a visit to Budongo Forest for chimpanzee trekking.

Chobe Airstrip is privately owned and sits within the northeastern sector of the park. It primarily serves Chobe Safari Lodge and its sister properties, and is favoured by guests booking all-inclusive luxury packages.

Flights from Entebbe to Murchison Falls depart at approximately 12:00 noon, with return flights departing the park at around 13:15. The flight takes roughly 90 minutes. From Murchison, you can connect by air to Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo, and Bwindi. Browse our full Murchison Falls safari options to find the right package for you.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya & Kasese Airstrips

Home to tree-climbing lions, the Kazinga Channel, and chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited park and a cornerstone of any fly-in itinerary. The Uganda Wildlife Authority notes that the park hosts over 95 mammal species and an astonishing 600+ bird species.

Mweya Airstrip is located inside the park near the Mweya Peninsula, the park’s tourism hub. It connects directly to Mweya Safari Lodge, a government-run lodge perched on a peninsula with panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel and the Rwenzori Mountains. Other nearby options accessible via a short road transfer include Jacana Safari Lodge and Pumba Safari Cottages.

Kasese Airstrip, located about 4 kilometres from Kasese town at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, serves as an alternative gateway. It is particularly useful for visitors also interested in Kibale Forest National Park (for chimpanzee trekking) and even the Rwenzori Mountains. The Primates & Wildlife Lodge and Ndali Lodge are popular stopovers reachable from Kasese.

Kihihi Airstrip also connects to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth — the patch of park famous for lions sleeping in fig trees. Guests flying into Kihihi and heading south reach Ishasha Wilderness Camp and Savanna Safari Camp, both well-placed for the remarkable Ishasha lion experience.

Three daily scheduled flights connect Entebbe to Mweya and Kasese at 07:00, 10:15, and 12:00. See our Queen Elizabeth National Park safari itineraries for suggested packages.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Kihihi & Kisoro Airstrips

No fly-in safari in Uganda is complete without gorilla trekking, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is where most travellers have this life-changing encounter. The park lies roughly 500 kilometres from Entebbe — a 9 to 10-hour drive that most visitors are happy to skip in favour of a 1-hour flight. Bwindi is served by two airstrips, each connecting to different sectors of the forest.

Kihihi Airstrip, in Kanungu District, is the northern gateway. It connects to the Buhoma and Ruhija gorilla trekking sectors and is approximately 40 minutes by road from Buhoma Park Headquarters. Lodges connected via Kihihi include Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Gorilla Forest Camp — the latter being one of Africa’s most celebrated luxury jungle lodges, set right on the park boundary.

Kisoro Airstrip serves southern Bwindi, giving access to the Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla trekking sectors. It also provides the gateway to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park across the Virunga Volcanoes border. Well-regarded lodges in the south include Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge on the banks of Lake Mutanda. Kisoro is perched close to the borders of Rwanda and DR Congo, making it a strategic hub for multi-country great ape itineraries.

From Entebbe, the morning flight to Kisoro departs at 07:00, while Kihihi receives three daily services (07:00, 10:15, and 12:00). Check our Bwindi gorilla trekking packages for full itinerary options.

Kidepo Valley National Park: Apoka Airstrip

Often called the “Mara of Uganda,” Kidepo Valley National Park is the country’s most remote and arguably most spectacular park, sitting in the semi-arid valleys of Karamoja near the South Sudan border. Driving to Kidepo takes at least 10 hours from Kampala — flying is essentially the only sensible option, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority recommends flying as the primary access route.

Apoka Airstrip lies 3 kilometres south of the park headquarters and connects directly to Apoka Safari Lodge (UWA), the park’s flagship property, and to the more exclusive Kidepo Savannah Lodge and Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp. Aerolink Uganda operates scheduled flights from Entebbe departing at around 12:30, arriving at Apoka in approximately 2 hours. The remoteness of Kidepo means you share game drives almost exclusively with your group — a rarity in modern African safari travel.

Lake Mburo National Park: Mbarara Airstrip

Uganda’s most accessible savanna park for road travellers, Lake Mburo can also be reached by air via Mbarara/Nyakisharara Airstrip, located 9 kilometres northwest of Mbarara city. Aerolink and charter operators run flights from Entebbe, with the journey taking around 1.5 hours. From Mbarara, guests transfer by road to the park (approximately 30 minutes) and lodges such as Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, and Arcadia Cottages at Lake Mburo.

Practical Tips for Booking a Uganda Fly-In Safari

Flying in Uganda requires a bit of planning. All major scheduled flights operate with a minimum passenger requirement — typically 3 to 4 passengers — so booking early, especially in peak season (June–September and December–February), is essential. Chartered flights offer more flexibility but come at a premium. All domestic airlines are licensed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.

Keep luggage to 15 kg per person in soft-sided bags — this applies across all carriers. For all your gorilla permits and park fees, remember that bookings are made through the Uganda Wildlife Authority at ugandawildlife.org.

At Kenlink Tours, we handle every detail of your fly-in safari — from domestic flight reservations and lodge bookings to gorilla permits and park transfers. Contact our team to build a customized fly-in Uganda safari that matches your schedule, budget, and bucket list. You can also browse our full range of Uganda safaris to discover what the Pearl of Africa has waiting for you above the clouds.

Kenlink Tours is a licensed Ugandan tour operator specializing in gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, and bespoke fly-in experiences across East Africa.

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