Uganda’s only major international airport sits on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 40 kilometres from Kampala.
Entebbe International Airport is the gateway for almost every Uganda safari. It lies on a peninsula in Lake Victoria, a short drive from the town of Entebbe and roughly an hour or more from Kampala depending on traffic. Most long-haul flights arrive at night or early morning, so a little preparation makes the first hours easy.
Quick FactsEntebbe, on Lake Victoria; about 40 km from Kampala by road.
EBB, Uganda’s main international airport.
Light-aircraft flights to the parks usually use Entebbe or Kajjansi airfields.
Sleep in Entebbe, a calm lakeside town, rather than driving into Kampala late.
Before you land, check that your passport has at least six months of validity and that you hold the right visa. See our Uganda visa and entry guide for the e-visa process and yellow fever certificate rules. At the airport you queue for immigration, give fingerprints and a photograph, collect luggage and pass customs. Allow roughly one to two hours at busy times.
There are exchange counters and ATMs in the terminal. Use them for a small amount of Ugandan shillings, then exchange or withdraw more in town. Mobile networks sell SIM cards at the airport; bring your passport for registration. For plug types and connectivity, read plugs, SIM cards and Wi-Fi in East Africa.
Your Ameera driver meets you in arrivals with a name board, so there is no need to negotiate with taxis. Transfers to Kampala can take from about one hour to well over two at rush hour. Many guests stay a night near the lake in Entebbe and start their safari the next morning. Our Entebbe and Lake Victoria guide lists what to do with a free afternoon, including the botanical gardens and the wildlife education centre.
Arrive at least three hours before an international departure. There is an extra security check before the terminal, and queues can be long. Keep some shillings for the airport but note that departure taxes are normally built into the ticket.
Frequently Asked QuestionsEntebbe International Airport (EBB) is the main international airport. Domestic flights to parks may also use Kajjansi.
About 40 kilometres, which takes one to two hours or more depending on traffic.
Most travellers apply for an e-visa online before they fly. Check current rules before you travel.
Use a pre-arranged driver and stay in Entebbe on your first night if you land late.
Uganda’s lakeside gateway city — botanical gardens, chimpanzee sanctuaries and golf.
Explore →Uganda visa and entry requirements — e-visa process, the East African Tourist Visa, and yellow fever documentation.
Explore →How to get to Uganda — international flights into Entebbe, domestic connections and transfers.
Explore →A hilly, lively capital of markets, royal history and good food, best enjoyed in a day or two around your safari.
Explore →Tell us your dates and interests and we will design the route around you.
