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Flights and travel guide to Uganda

Uganda is a country in East Africa. It is bordered on the east by Kenya, the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. Famously called the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, it is home to one of the most diverse and concentrated ranges of African fauna including the highly endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the endangered common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

Cities
  • Arua Located in the NE corner of the country. Reached by daily flights from Entebbe Airport by Eagle Air.
  • Kampala is a bustling African city. If you like the African urban vibe, are comfortable haggling for produce or are willing to share a pack of cigarettes and chat up the locals, then you could have an interesting day of it. Sadly, though, there is not much of interest for sightseeing, but it is not a particularly dangerous place to be in the city centre around the major hotels (but see below under Stay Safe). The National Museum is interesting but rather sad and run down and the colonial architecture of various buildings (particularly in Old Kampala) is nice but unexceptional. A visit to the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi is a great way to spend an entire day. The tombs are a world heritage site. The guides are more than happy to talk to you all day about all aspects of Bugandan culture, history, politics and language. A great first stop in Uganda. The market in Kampala is particularly impressive, just hop on a boda-boda and ask for the market.
  • Entebbe is built around the shores of Lake Victoria and is primarily active as the location of the airport, The Uganda Government house, the State House, was relocated to the town of Entebbe in November 2007. The drive to or from Kampala is about an hour. The United Nations uses Entebbe as a depot and staging area for their vehicles and heavy equipment that are part of peace keeping and other missions in the central African region. Entebbe offers a relaxed stopover alternative to Kampala on your way into or out of the country by airplane, as the air is clean, the streets are safe to walk, and the old colonial gardens and parks with the lake in the background make for a serene atmosphere. The old Botanical Gardens, while tired, will be of interest to botanists and birders unlikely to see specimens in the wild.
  • Jinja is the world-famous source of the Nile, and in Uganda more famously the source of Nile Beer. This is a popular destination for backpackers for its white-water rafting. Three main operators work the rapids, offering a range of options, including body surfing, kayaking lessons and a video or DVD of the experience afterwards. It is possible to arrange a day trip from any travel agent in Kampala. Be sure to use sunscreen! Bungee jumping, quad biking and zip wire across the Nile are all possible in Jinja, the adrenaline adventure capital of East Africa. Party until dawn after your activities at Nile River Explorers campsite.
  • Fort Portal is generally considered Uganda’s most attractive settlement. Approached from Kampala through extensive tea plantations, it contains some fine old buildings and a superb Rwenzori backdrop.
  • Fort Wadalai Located on the west bank of the Albert Nile in Northern Uganda.
  • Kabale is a small city in the far south of the country. There is not much to do, but it is the stopover to go to Lake Bunyonyi.
  • Kisoro is a town near Congo and Rwanda. There is nothing much out here, but it is the stopover to visit the National Park. A climb up the volcano could be done as a day trip from Kisoro town.
  • Pakwach Located on the west bank of the Albert Nile on the road to Arua. End of former British rail line from Mombasa.
  • Rhino Camp On the west bank of the Albert Nile in northern Uganda.
  • Rakai is a rural area where the original case of AIDS was discovered back in the early 1970s.
Get in

By plane

There are plenty of airlines offering flights to Uganda from major UK airports including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, New Castle, London Gatwick.

with onward connections to Europe, North America, and Asia from Dubai.

Stay safe

Uganda has been home to some of the more gruesome atrocities in modern African history since its independence in 1962, particularly under the heinous dictator Idi Amin, but in the years since 1987 things have consistently improved. Today, in 2009, the single party state is relatively stable after 25 years of stereotypically ’strong man’ rule by Yoweri Museveni. Kampala has changed into a major center of East African trade. Travel north to Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Game Reserve is perfectly safe. Note that overlanders from Tanzania and Kenya regularly make the trip routing through Jinja.

As in any urban area, Kampala can be dodgy. One is well advised to remain in tourist areas, but sensibly garbed visitors not dangling the latest cameras, flashy jewellery or bulging bags are not likely to draw unwanted attention to themselves. However, any Caucasians walking in the street stand out and are likely to be stared at openly, which may cause discomfort to those unaccustomed to travelling in Africa. What little begging exists is some of the most polite and inoffensive to be found in African cities. Small children are sadly becoming a nuisance in some rural spots frequented by tourists doling out sweets and coins, but nowhere near the swarming throng one can attract in many cities around the world.

In the gorilla tracking region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park near the border with the DRC there was one incident in the late 1990’s in which bandits attacked a group of tourists and killed several people. Since then there have been no incidents and all groups now go out with armed guards (which was not the case before). There is a visible security presence in the region, but this is a preventative measure rather than a response to anything specific.

Stay healthy

AIDS/HIV infection rate is very high (even though lower than neighbouring countries). Do not have unprotected sex. Take precautions against malaria! It is worth seeking out a packet of Artenam while you are in Kampala if you are travelling up-country. Artenam is a reliable treatment and works on chloroquine-resistant malaria strains too. Remember, that many of the lakes have bilharzia. Check with the locals and do not paddle on the lake shore if you’re not sure.

Respect Social Values

Uganda has a fairly conservative Christian/Muslim based society. It is not considered acceptable for women to wear skimpy clothing or to have overt displays of sexuality. Most Ugandans go to church / mosque regularly and consider religion an important part of a moral society. Never criticize religion in presence of an Ugandan!

You will not be taken seriously if you wear shorts outside the obvious tourist destinations and no adult Ugandan would ever wear shorts. Use a pair of light trousers to blend in better.

Don’t be surprised if you see two men holding hands. They are not homosexual, since homosexuality is regrettably forbidden by law and is indeed punishable. Good friends do this often.

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 Uganda from UK Airports

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