Flying to Uganda
There are frequent direct and indirect flights to Uganda by numerous major airlines such as Brussels airlines, South Africa airways, British Airways, Rwanda air, Kenya Airways, Emirates airlines and KLM. There are no significant seasonal factors affecting flight prices.
Air Notes
Uganda has one international airport and many airstrips around the country. The main point of arrival is Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport (EBB), which receives all the scheduled international flights and is the main point of arrival for charter flights from outside countries. Both are managed by the Uganda civil aviation Authority.
Airport Guides
Entebbe International Airport
Airport Code: EBB. Location: Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport is located 40km to the southeast of Kampala. Money: ATMs, banking facilities, Craft shops and currency exchange services are available in the terminal building.
Driving to Uganda
The main international road crossings into Uganda are from Kenya, Rwanda, south Sudan and Tanzania. The main crossing points from Tanzania are at Mutukula south of Masaka town, Rwanda at Katuna boarder and Kenya at Malaba and Busia boarders. Heading to or from Tanzania, several companies run comfortable shuttle bus services between Kampala and Masaka. Most buses are quite unreliable and safety standards are not to western standards. For Tanzania, the pick of the crop is spider, which connects Kampala to Dar es Salaam. It is the most reliable operator between Kampala and the Tanzania’s’ capital Dodoma and Dar es Salaam-The largest city in Tanzania.
Uganda also shares remote land borders with Democratic republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya in the far north east but roads are in poor condition and there is no reliable public transport on these routes, which pass through semi-arid areas on Kenyan boarder and dense forests on Democratic Republic of Congo boarder.
Getting to Uganda by boat
The principle port is Port bell located on the shores of Lake Victoria, but there are presently no international ferry services to Kenya or Tanzania. Some cruise ships dock on port bell a Kampala suburb. Likewise, there are currently ferry services to Kalangala islands commonly known as Ssese on Lake Victoria—a vast inland sea (indeed, the largest water body in Africa) shared with neighboring Tanzania and Kenya.
Where to stay in Uganda
Hotels, Lodges, Inn and Motels
Accommodation in Uganda is divided into groups: town hotels, vacation hotels, lodges and country hotels. Within each group, grading is according to amenities and variety of facilities. For further information, contact the Association of Uganda Hotel owners (UHOA). Hotels in Uganda vary from lavish 5-star safari lodges, beach hideaways and international brands with a full range of facilities, to simple board and lodgings catering to local business travelers. Many of Kampala’s hotels are of top international standard. In the tourist areas on Lake Victoria, are some all-inclusive resorts offering water-sports and entertainment. Safari lodges in the parks and reserves range from large blocks of rooms catering for tour groups, to intimate camps. Most small towns have at least one adequate mid-range hotel. Hotel bills can be paid in foreign currency or Ugandan Shillings; larger hotels, resorts and safari lodges take credit cards. Along highways we find Inns, Guest Houses and Motels offering mainly Bed and Breakfast.
Camping
There are no restrictions on camping in Uganda but, wild animals and the possibility of robbery can make bush camping dangerous. It is best to stick to formal, secure campsites. Most game reserves and national parks have sites with long drop latrines and perhaps a cold shower. In many tourist areas, private campsites offer budget rates for backpackers.
Other accommodation
Almost all Uganda’s towns offer basic budget hotels and lodgings. You should ensure that the sheets are clean and the door locks, and you may need to provide your own mosquito net. There are several youth hostels in Uganda, but they are very basic and tend to be used by local student or church groups. For further information, contact Uganda tourism board (www.visituganda.com).
In Kampala, there is a number of self-catering accommodation options to rent. These vary from rustic bungalows to lavish villas. Most have staff to help with cooking and cleaning.
In Uganda, accommodation in safari areas ranges from large safari lodges, often overlooking a waterhole or in a prime game viewing region, to small camps with just a handful of luxury permanent tents erected on platforms under thatched roofs.