Flying Safaris in Uganda

Flying Safaris in Uganda are some of the unique tour packages that are organised by different tour operators for mostly luxury clients that want to spend a short time to get to the destination. Uganda is a wildlife hub with several animal parks harbouring both the ordinary and unique plus endangered animal species spread across the country. Travellers visit the country every year to experience some of the impeccable wildlife safaris Uganda has to offer and they are totally blown away at what they get to experience from gorilla trekking trips, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat cruises, water activities, nature sightings to mention but a few.

All travellers come to the country excited to take part in one of these or more adventures but sometimes their enthusiasm is dampened by the long road drives they have to make to the different national parks; given all these national parks are about 4 or 5 plus hours from Uganda’s capital Kampala and the international airport in Entebbe.

However all hope is not lost, you can still have your amazing safari experience without the long drives; in the article, we detail for you some of the flying safaris in Uganda, you can take to avoid the long drives and still enjoy your time in the country.

To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National park operate daily however they don’t land in the park; they land an hour away from the park which is much shorter than 8 or 9-hour drive from Kampala. When you’re planning for your flight to Bwindi you need to put this into consideration. Local or Domestic aircraft set-offs from Kajjansi in Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip in south western Uganda. The flight normally takes an hour and when you land at the airstrip you will be driven to the gorilla sector you will be trekking in. if you are trekking in Buhoma or Ruhija you will have to take a flight to Kihihi and if you are trekking in Nkuringo or Rushaga you have to take a flight to kisoro.

To Mgahinga National Park: The flights to Mgahinga National Park like the ones to Bwindi National Park operate daily and the air crafts fly to Kisoro airstrip from Entebbe then a trekker is driven one hour to the Mgahinga National park for their gorilla trekking experience, hiking and Batwa trail experience.

To Queen Elizabeth National Park: Travellers going to Queen Elizabeth National Park fly from Entebbe Kajjansi airstrip and land in Kasenyi airfield. A landing in Kasenyi is also a wildlife adventure for you; Kasenyi is home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, Uganda kobs etc. As you land expect to see numerous wild animals roaming around in their habitat. Travellers that want to see animals as the land should catch the morning flights they are the best for game viewing. After you land in Kasenyi, you will be driven to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will be in Queen Elizabeth National Park in under an hour about 40 mins. The flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes one hour and twenty minutes

To Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is the largest animal park in Uganda and the home to the famous Murchison Falls. Aircraft to the Murchison Falls National park fly daily from Entebbe in Kajjansi to Pakuba airfield west of the park and Bugungu airfield north of the park. Be kin to take the right flight putting into consideration the side of the park you are going to. Murchison Falls National Park is in North Western Uganda in the northern Albertine rift valley. It’s a habitat for numerous animals including the big five lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and Rhinos that stay in a sanctuary next to the park.

To Kidepo Valley National Park: Kidepo Valley National Park is the furthest park from Uganda’s capital Kampala and Entebbe International airport, meaning air transport is the most ideal way to get to the park. Flights to Kidepo operate daily from Entebbe Kajjansi to Apoka airstrip. From Apoka airstrip you will be driven to Kidepo Valley National park. The drive from Apoka airstrip to Kidepo Valley National Park is 20mins and a flight to Apoka airstrip is 2 hours.

A traveller should note that for all the flying safaris mentioned above, the flights are pre-scheduled by the different aircraft and they have to plan with their tour operator to plan their travels at the scheduled times.

Also, the aircraft operate from Entebbe, so you have to be in Entebbe to take the flight and then you will be dropped in Entebbe on your return route so you have to plan for how to move from Entebbe to wherever you want to go. Your tour operator will be in a position to advise on this

Private flights can be arranged for by the aircraft and arrangements can be made through your tour operator.

The current domestic aircraft in Uganda are Aerolink, Fly Uganda and Eagle Air.