Uganda has about 32 airstrips/airfields that help in providing short time access on Uganda safaris. For tourists short on time or traveller’s heading to remote destinations, domestic airstrips and airfields offer fast access and breathtaking aerial views. Here is a quick guide to some of the key airstrips commonly used when on a Uganda Safari.
Categories of Airstrips
Uganda’s airstrips fall under two major categories: Government-Owned/Public Airstrips and Privately-Owned Airstrips.
ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is Uganda’s getway to the world. Located at the shores of Lake Victoria, about 40 kilometers south of Kampala. It’s the heart beat of Uganda’s international travel, trade and tourism. It is in altitude of 1153meters above the sea level, length of 17/35-3658 meters, orientation of 17/35, width of 45meters, HF Radio frequency of 11300kHz(day) and 6673kHz(night), surface of Asphalt, Navigational Aids ILS (Instrument Landing System), VOR/DME (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range), NDB (Non-Directional Beacon), Radar Approach, Immigration Yes – Full international passenger processing, e-passport gates, visas on arrival. ICAO Code-HUEN, IATA Code-EBB.
KAJJANSI AIRFIELD Tucked in between Kampala and Entebbe along the scenic shores of Lake Victoria. Uganda premier hub for private aviation and flight training. Though small in size, it has played a big role in Uganda’s domestic air travel and aviation development. Managed by Kampala Executive Aviation (KEA) and home to Fly Uganda (Kampala Aero club). Kajjansi airfield is launchpad for charter flights, pilot training, medical evacuation and humanitarian missions. It is located 15km from Kampala and 35 minutes from Entebbe international airport.
KAJJANSI AIRFIELD TECHNICAL DETAILS
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUKL |
| IATA code | NONE |
| Altitude | 3740 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1150 meters |
| Runway orientation | 14/32 |
| Runway Width | Approximately 25 meters |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| VHF frequency | 122.9MHz (pilot self announced calls) |
| Navigation Aids | Visual Flight Rules. |
| Immigration service | Not designated |
PAKUBA AIRSTRIP: Northern Getway of Uganda safaris to Murchison fall National Park. Located in the northern sector of Murchison falls national park, a main aviation hub for travellers heading to Uganda’s largest conservation area. It serves as the main airstrip for the park visitors arriving via chartered flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi airfield.
PAKUBA AIRSTRIP TECHINCAL DATA
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUPA |
| IATA code | NONE |
| Altitude | 945 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1550 meters |
| Runway orientation | 13/13 (approximately 13degrees /13 degrees) |
| Runway Width | Approximately 30 meters |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| VHF frequency | 122.9MHz (pilot self announced calls) |
| Navigation Aids | Visual Flight Rules. |
| Immigration service | Not designated |
CHOBE AIRSTRIP: Also located in the Murchison falls national park in Kiryandongo district , 11 Kilometers east of Karuma Village. It lies within the northern sector of Murchison falls national park, making it a strategic air access point for Uganda fly in safaris. Chobe airstrip is private owned primarily serving tourists flying luxuriously in from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield and its access is strictly controlled.
CHOBE AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DATA
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUPA |
| IATA code | NONE |
| Altitude | 3140 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1555 meters |
| Runway orientation | Southeast to Northwest |
| Runway Width | Unspecified |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| VHF frequency | |
| Navigation Aids | Visual Flight Rules. |
| Immigration service | Not designated |
KISORO AIRSTRIP; Southern Getway to Uganda gorilla trekking. It is hidden in the hills of southwestern Uganda. Kisoro airstrip serves as a crucial air access for visitors heading to Bwindi impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Located near Rwanda and Congo boarder, the airstrip offers scenic and time saving alternative to Uganda’s long and winding mountain roads, especially for travellers seeking to trek endangered mountain gorillas.
KISORO AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DETAILS
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUKI |
| IATA code | KXO |
| Altitude | 6200 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1200meters |
| Runway orientation | Approximately 18/36 |
| Runway Width | 30meters |
| Runway surface | Asphalt |
| VHF frequency | |
| Navigation Aids | Wind sock |
| Immigration service | Not designated |
KIHIHI AIRSTRIP; Bwindi forest Access Alternative – Nestled in Kanungu district, southwestern Uganda. Kihihi airstrip serves as a strategic entry point for eco-tourists and wildlife lovers. It is located less than an hour’s drive from the renowned Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park and with in easy reach of the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it plays a vital role Uganda’s tourism circuit. Whether you are planning Uganda gorilla trekking or sighting tree climbing lions. Kihihi airstrip is a stage of the unforgettable Ugandan adventure.
KIHIHI AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DETAILS.
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | |
| IATA code | KHX |
| Altitude | 1096 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1818meters |
| Runway orientation | |
| Runway Width | 20-30meters |
| Runway surface | Gravel |
| VHF frequency | |
| Navigation Aids | Wind sock |
| Immigration service | Not designated |
KIDEPO AIRSTRIP: This is located in Uganda’s most remote area – Kidepo valley national park. It serves as a principal access point to Uganda’s most untouched and scenic wildlife reserves. It is situated 3km south of park Headquarter near Apoka.
KIDEPO AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DETAILS
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUKD |
| IATA code | |
| Altitude | 3700 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1500meters |
| Runway orientation | 09/27 |
| Runway Width | 30 meters |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| HF Radio frequency | 7638.5kHz |
| Navigation Aids | Wind sock |
| Immigration service | Only domestic flight |
NYAKISHARARA AIRSTRIP – MBARARA; Getway to Western Uganda – offers essential regional connectivity in Uganda’s Ankole sub region. Situated 9km northwest of Mbarara, this airstrip plays a strategic role in linking western Uganda to safari destinations. It’s facilitating domestic flights by charter airlines like Aerolink, Eagle air which connects Entebbe to Western region and ideal for Uganda fly in safaris in Lake Mburo National Park.
NYAKISHARARA AIRSTRIP -MBARARA TECHNICAL DETAILS
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUMA |
| IATA code | MBQ |
| Altitude | 4600meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1660meters |
| Runway orientation | 11/29 |
| Runway Width | 30meters |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| HF Radio frequency | Not available |
| Navigation Aids | Wind sock |
| Immigration service | Only domestic flight |
SOROTI AIRSTRIP – located 3km from Soroti town in Eastern Uganda. It handles non-scheduled commercial charters and military traffic. It is administered by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and is planning to expand the runway. Soroti is more than a training hub—it’s steadily developing into a regional aviation centre with promising upgrades on the horizon
SOROTI AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DETAILS
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUSO |
| IATA code | SRT |
| Altitude | 3697meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1860meters |
| Runway orientation | 05/23 |
| Runway Width | 30meters |
| Runway surface | Asphalt |
| HF Radio frequency | 7638kHz |
| Navigation Aids | DVOR, DME, NDB |
| Immigration service | Only domestic flight |
MWEYA AIRSTRIP – Nestled on the scenic Mweya Peninsula in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. Located near Mweya Lodge and around 283 km west of Entebbe by air, it offers swift access to Uganda wildlife safaris, crater lakes, and boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel.
MWEYA AIRSTRIP TECHINAL DETAILS.
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUMW |
| IATA code | |
| Altitude | 980meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1255meters |
| Runway orientation | 06/24 |
| Runway Width | |
| Runway surface | Grass |
| HF Radio frequency | Coordinate via Entebbe FIR |
| Navigation Aids | |
| Immigration service | Only domestic flight |
KASESE AIRSTRIP— is situated approximately 4 km from Kasese town at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. It serves as a key entry point for tourism, trade, and regional travel. It facilitates Uganda safaris to Rwenzori mountains national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park.
KASESE AIRSTRIP TECHUNCAL DETAILS.
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUKS |
| IATA code | KSE |
| Altitude | 959 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1600 meters |
| Runway orientation | 01/19 |
| Runway Width | 30m |
| Runway surface | Grass |
| HF Radio frequency | 7638.5 kHz |
| Navigation Aids | NDB, wind sock |
| Immigration service | No arrangement |
GULU AIRSTRIP – is located approximately 4 km northwest of Gulu city in Northern Uganda. Managed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), it serves both civilian and military operations and is an official entry and exit point for international traffic, particularly with South Sudan and other regional destinations.
GULU AIRSTRIP TECHINCAL DETAILS
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUGU |
| IATA code | ULU |
| Altitude | 1070 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 3100 meters |
| Runway orientation | 17/35 |
| Runway Width | 45m |
| Runway surface | Asphalt |
| HF Radio frequency | 7638.5 kHz |
| Navigation Aids | NDB, wind sock |
| Immigration service | Arranged on request |
ARUA AIRSTRIP – Getway to West Nile and cross border trade. It is around 3 km northwest of Arua town in the Northern Region, close to the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
ARUA AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DETAILS.
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUAR |
| IATA code | RUA |
| Altitude | 1585meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1800 meters |
| Runway orientation | 18/36 |
| Runway Width | 30m |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| HF Radio frequency | 7638.5 kHz |
| Navigation Aids | NDB, wind sock |
| Immigration service | Arranged on request |
JINJA AIRSTRIP in eastern Uganda – is in the Kimaka suburb approximately 4 km north of Jinja town centre. Arrive here for white water rafting on the nile experience, source of river nile, kayaking, horse riding and other fun activities in the jinja area.
JINJA AIRSTRIP TECHNICAL DETAILS.
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| ICAO code | HUJI |
| IATA code | JIN |
| Altitude | 1170 meters above the sea level |
| Runway length | Approximately 1500 meters |
| Runway orientation | 13/13 |
| Runway Width | 30m |
| Runway surface | Murram |
| HF Radio frequency | 7638.5 kHz |
| Navigation Aids | NDB, wind sock |
| Immigration service | Arranged on request |
Most airstrips are primarily used by charter and scheduled domestic flights, often connecting major tourist attractions such as Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Parks. This helps promote Uganda fly-in safaris and supports high-end luxury tourism.
