Entebbe International Airport is Uganda’s sole gateway for scheduled international flights, and, for most gorilla trekking itineraries, the very first stop into the Pearl of Africa.
Where it is
The airport sits on the shores of Lake Victoria near the town of Entebbe, about 35km from Kampala, Uganda’s capital: typically a 45 to 90 minute transfer depending on traffic. Most safari travellers don’t head into Kampala at all; many overnight near the airport or the lake before continuing west toward the parks the next morning.
Terminal and what to expect
International flights use the main terminal building, originally built in the 1970s; a separate domestic terminal opened nearby in 2007, freeing the main building to focus solely on international arrivals and departures. As Uganda’s only scheduled international airport, it is also home to Uganda Airlines, the national carrier relaunched in 2019.
Entry requirements
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly obtained in advance as an e-visa. If your safari also includes Kenya and/or Rwanda, the East Africa Tourist Visa can cover all three countries on a single application: see our Visa & Entry Requirements page for the details, and confirm current requirements for your nationality before booking.
Getting onward to your safari
From Entebbe, most itineraries continue by road or a short charter flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, or to Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls or Kidepo Valley for classic savannah safari. See our Airstrips in Uganda guide for how the domestic connections work, and our National Parks of Uganda page for how the parks fit together on one itinerary.
Arriving at Entebbe: the first two hours
Most long haul flights reach Entebbe in the evening or the early hours, so the first job is simply getting through the building. Health screening and a check of your yellow fever certificate come first, then immigration, where an e-visa printout speeds things up. Baggage reclaim is straightforward and porters are licensed, so ask for one only if you need it. Your Offmap driver waits in the arrivals hall holding a name board, which is easier than arranging a taxi at night. If you have not changed money, an ATM and exchange counters are inside the terminal, and a local SIM card can be bought before you leave the building.
Entebbe or Kampala: where to sleep the first night
Kampala is 35 kilometres away, but the road can take well over an hour in the evening rush, even with the newer expressway. Most of our travellers sleep in Entebbe town instead, a short drive from the terminal, with lake views, a quiet garden and an early start the next day. The lakeshore suburbs of Kampala suit people who want a city evening and a visit to the markets before heading west. Tell us your landing time and we will recommend the better option, taking into account when your gorilla permit or first park transfer begins.
What to do in Entebbe if you have a spare day
Entebbe rewards a slow first day. The botanical gardens on the lake shore are good for birds, monkeys and a first look at Lake Victoria. The wildlife education centre houses rescued animals and is useful for families. Boats leave from the town for Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary, where orphaned chimpanzees live in a forest island. Birders can reach Mabamba Swamp by road and canoe in search of the shoebill. All of these fit in half a day, so they work well on arrival or on the last morning before a late flight.
Onward connections from Entebbe
Road transfers leave for Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kibale, with driving times from about four hours to ten, depending on the park. Light aircraft fly from Entebbe and the nearby Kajjansi airfield to bush airstrips, which turns a long drive into a short flight. Because gorilla permits are fixed to a date, we build in a buffer night before any trek, so a delayed international flight does not cost you the permit. Our Airstrips in Uganda guide explains each domestic option, and National Parks of Uganda shows how the parks fit together.
Departing from Entebbe
Allow at least three hours before an international flight. There is a security check at the entrance to the terminal, then check in, immigration and a second screening at the gate. Leave extra time on the road, because the route from the western parks is long and traffic near Kampala is unpredictable. We usually plan the final night in Entebbe or near it, which removes the stress of a long drive on departure day. Any remaining shillings can be spent in the departure lounge, and souvenirs, coffee and craft items are available after security.
Money, SIM cards and power
Uganda's currency is the shilling, and dollars in good condition and recent print are widely accepted by lodges and tour operators, though local shops want shillings. Cash machines in the terminal take international cards, and fees vary by bank, so tell your bank you are travelling. MTN and Airtel sell tourist SIM cards, and mobile data is cheap and good in towns, though weak in forest parks like Bwindi. Sockets use the British three pin style, so bring an adapter, and a power bank helps on long drives.
Entebbe if you are travelling with children or elders
The airport is small and calm, which suits families and older travellers. Wheelchair help and early boarding can be requested through your airline before you fly. Distances inside the terminal are short, and the first night's lodge is often within ten minutes. We advise slow first days for travellers who are tired, and a gentle morning walk in the botanical gardens helps with jet lag. See our traveller types for family plans.
Arrival day checklist
Keep your passport, e-visa, yellow fever certificate and driver details together. Change a small amount of cash, buy a SIM card and send a message home before leaving the terminal. Drink water, rest well and let jet lag settle before the next day's drive. If your bag is delayed, report it at the desk and give your lodge address, and we will arrange the collection.
Plan your arrival into Entebbe International Airport (EBB): Uganda's Safari Gateway
Tell us your flight details and where your safari starts, and we’ll make sure your arrival connects smoothly into the rest of your itinerary. Talk to us, or browse our safari packages to see how it all fits together.
