Updated 15 October 2026

Domestic flights to Bwindi leave from Entebbe International Airport, and on some routes from Kajjansi airfield near Kampala, to two airstrips: Kihihi for the Buhoma sector and Kisoro for Rushaga, Nkuringo and Mgahinga. Aerolink Uganda runs the main scheduled service, usually departing early in the morning; the flight takes about 1.5–2 hours with stops, costs roughly US$300–500 per person each way and allows about 15 kg of luggage in a soft bag. Flying replaces a road trip of 8–10 hours each way, which makes short gorilla trips possible.

Which airstrip for which sector

Kihihi is the airstrip for Buhoma, about 1–1.5 hours away by road, and also convenient for Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kisoro serves the south: Rushaga and Nkuringo are each about 1–1.5 hours away, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is closer still. Ruhija, in the east, is two to three hours by road from either airstrip, so flying saves less time there. Match your flight to the sector on your permit before booking.

Scheduled flights

Aerolink Uganda flies small turboprop aircraft, usually Cessna Caravans, on scheduled routes from Entebbe to the safari airstrips. Flights to Kihihi and Kisoro normally leave around 7 am, with extra departures in busy months, and often stop at another airstrip on the way, which is why the journey takes longer than the direct distance suggests. Return flights leave the airstrips later in the morning or around midday. Schedules change by season, so confirm times when you book.

Fares are typically US$300–500 per person each way. Most travellers book through their safari operator, who coordinates the flight with the driver meeting you at the airstrip; you can also book directly with the airline. In peak months, book well ahead, as each plane carries only about a dozen passengers.

Charter flights

Several Ugandan companies offer private charters to the same airstrips. A charter flies when you want, direct, and can be cost-effective for a family or group that fills the plane; for one or two people it is expensive. Some luxury lodges and operators include charters in their packages. See our guide to luxury gorilla trekking.

Luggage and check-in

The baggage allowance is usually about 15 kg per person, including hand luggage and camera gear, and bags must be soft so they fit the small hold. Passengers and bags are weighed at check-in. If you are carrying more, for example for a longer safari, ask your operator to send excess luggage by road with your vehicle or store it in Entebbe. Check in early, carry your passport, and keep your camera and medicines in your hand luggage. Our guide to what to pack for a Uganda safari helps keep bags light.

Flying vs driving

Flying saves two long days on the road and makes a three- or four-day gorilla trip realistic, and the views over the Rift Valley and the hills of the south-west are spectacular. Driving costs much less, especially for groups, lets you stop at Lake Mburo or the equator and see the country, and gives you a vehicle and guide throughout. Many travellers combine the two: drive out via other parks and fly back, or the reverse. Our guide to getting from Entebbe to Bwindi compares the options.

Timing and delays

Small aircraft fly by sight into these airstrips, so low cloud or heavy rain can delay flights, especially early in the morning in the rainy months. Fly in at least the day before your trek, never on trek morning, and leave time on the way back before your international flight, ideally booking an evening departure. If you land in Entebbe at night, stay near the airport and take the morning flight the next day. See our guide to gorilla trekking in four days for a plan built around the flights.

Other parks by air

Domestic flights also serve Kasese and Mweya for Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzoris, airstrips in and near Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley in the far north-east. Combining a fly-in gorilla trek with another park by air turns a two-week road safari into a much shorter trip, at a higher cost.

Frequently asked questions