Entebbe International Airport

Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is Uganda's only international airport, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in the town of Entebbe, about 40 km south of the capital Kampala. The airport handles around 2 million passengers annually and serves as the hub for Uganda Airlines, the national carrier relaunched in 2019.

The airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. The terminal was expanded and renovated in recent years with a new arrivals wing and modernized departure hall. The building is compact and straightforward to navigate.

• Departures: Upper level, with check-in counters, security screening, duty-free shops, and departure gates
• Arrivals: Ground level, with immigration, baggage claim, currency exchange, SIM card vendors, and the arrivals hall

Key airlines serving EBB include Uganda Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, KLM, and RwandAir. Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways offer the most regional African connections, while Turkish, Emirates, Qatar, Brussels Airlines, and KLM provide long-haul links to Europe and the Middle East.

The airport sits at an elevation of 1,150 meters (3,773 ft) on the Entebbe peninsula, surrounded by Lake Victoria on three sides. This location makes for scenic approaches but can experience fog during early mornings and the rainy seasons (March-May and October-November).

EBB is located 40 km south of Kampala city center. Travel time depends heavily on traffic:

• Entebbe town center: 5-10 min
• Kampala city center: 1-2 hours (via Entebbe Expressway: 40-50 min; via old Entebbe Road: 1.5-2.5 hours)
• Jinja (source of the Nile): 2.5-3.5 hours

The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, a 51 km toll road opened in 2018, has significantly reduced travel times. The toll is UGX 8,000 (~$2 USD) for cars. Without the expressway, the old Entebbe Road through Kajjansi and Abayita Ababiri can take over 2 hours during peak traffic.

Most travelers use taxis, rideshare apps, or pre-arranged hotel transfers.

Rideshare Apps

Uber and Bolt both operate at EBB and are the most reliable options for visitors.

App	Fare to Kampala Center	Notes
Uber	UGX 80,000-150,000 (~$20-40 USD)	Expressway route recommended
Bolt	UGX 70,000-130,000 (~$18-35 USD)	Often slightly cheaper than Uber

Pickup is from the arrivals area outside the terminal. Wait times are typically 5-15 minutes. Fares vary based on time of day, traffic, and surge pricing.

Tip: Download and set up Uber or Bolt before arrival. Both accept card payments, which avoids the need for local currency immediately.

Airport Taxis

Official airport taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. Fares are negotiated before departure.

Destination	Typical Fare (UGX)	USD Equivalent
Entebbe town	20,000-30,000	$5-8
Kampala city center	100,000-150,000	$25-40
Kampala suburbs (Kololo, Nakasero)	120,000-180,000	$30-48

Important: Agree on the fare before getting in the car. Airport taxi drivers may quote inflated prices to foreigners. Using Uber or Bolt gives you a fixed fare upfront.

Hotel Transfers

Many hotels and lodges offer airport pickup services. Prices range from $30-60 USD for Kampala transfers. Arrange through your hotel in advance, especially for late-night arrivals.

There is no formal public transit connection between EBB and Kampala.

Matatus (Minibus Taxis)

Shared matatus operate between Entebbe town and Kampala (UGX 5,000-10,000, ~$1.30-2.70 USD), but they do not stop at the airport terminal. You would need to walk or take a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) to the Entebbe town taxi park, then board a matatu to Kampala's New Taxi Park.

This option is not recommended for visitors with luggage or those unfamiliar with the system.

Boda-Bodas (Motorcycle Taxis)

Motorcycle taxis are ubiquitous in Uganda and available outside the airport perimeter. They cost UGX 3,000-5,000 (~$0.80-1.30 USD) to Entebbe town. They are not recommended for the airport-to-Kampala journey due to safety concerns on the expressway and highway.

SafeBoda is a regulated motorcycle taxi app with helmets provided and GPS-tracked rides. It works in the Entebbe and Kampala area but is best for short trips within town, not the airport-to-Kampala corridor.

EBB has on-site parking directly in front of the terminal.

Type	Rate	Notes
Short-term	UGX 3,000/hour (~$0.80 USD)	First 30 min free for drop-off
Daily	UGX 10,000-15,000/day (~$2.70-4 USD)	Open-air lot
VIP parking	UGX 20,000/day (~$5.30 USD)	Closer to terminal

The parking lot is guarded but has limited capacity. For extended trips, private parking services in Entebbe town offer rates from UGX 8,000-10,000/day with shuttle service to the terminal.

Dining options at EBB are limited compared to larger airports. Most options are airside after security.

Airside (After Security)

• Java House: East African coffee chain serving coffee, sandwiches, wraps, and pastries. The most reliable option.
• Duty-free cafe: Light snacks and beverages near the departure gates
• Bar and restaurant: Serves local Ugandan dishes (matoke, rolex, chapati) and international fare. Prices are 2-3x Kampala rates.

Landside (Before Security)

• Arrivals hall cafe: Basic coffee, sodas, and snacks
• Cafeteria: Near check-in area, serves simple meals

Typical Prices (Airside)

Item	Price (UGX)	USD
Coffee	8,000-15,000	$2-4
Sandwich or wrap	15,000-25,000	$4-7
Full meal	25,000-45,000	$7-12
Beer (local)	8,000-15,000	$2-4
Bottled water	3,000-5,000	$0.80-1.30

Better Alternatives

For better food and prices, eat in Entebbe town before heading to the airport:

• Faze 3 and Goretti's on Entebbe main street are popular with travelers
• Restaurants along the Lake Victoria waterfront offer fresh tilapia and Ugandan cuisine at local prices

Free WiFi is available at EBB, though quality varies.

• Network name: "Entebbe Airport Free WiFi" or similar (check signage at the terminal)
• Cost: Free
• Speed: Slow to moderate. Adequate for messaging and email. Streaming and large downloads are unreliable.
• Registration: May require email or phone number

For more reliable connectivity, purchase a local SIM card with data or use lounge WiFi.

SIM cards are sold by vendors in the arrivals hall, immediately after exiting customs.

Carriers

Carrier	SIM Cost (UGX)	Notes
MTN Uganda	2,000-5,000 (~$0.50-1.30 USD)	Largest network, best nationwide coverage
Airtel Uganda	2,000-5,000 (~$0.50-1.30 USD)	Good coverage in urban areas, competitive data prices

Data Plans

Carrier	Plan	Price (UGX)	USD
MTN	1GB (7 days)	5,000	$1.30
MTN	5GB (30 days)	20,000	$5.30
MTN	10GB (30 days)	30,000	$8
Airtel	1GB (7 days)	4,500	$1.20
Airtel	5GB (30 days)	15,000	$4
Airtel	10GB (30 days)	25,000	$6.70

Registration

• Passport required for SIM registration
• Registration takes 5-10 minutes
• Cash (UGX or USD) accepted at airport kiosks

Tip: MTN has stronger coverage in rural and national park areas, which matters if you are heading on safari or to gorilla trekking destinations. Airtel is cheaper for data-heavy use in Kampala.

Mobile Money

Both MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money are widely used throughout Uganda. Many local transactions, including some taxi fares and small shops, accept mobile money payments. Register for mobile money when purchasing your SIM.

Currency

Uganda uses the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). Approximate exchange rate: UGX 3,700-3,800 = $1 USD.

ATMs

ATMs are located in the arrivals hall and near the departures entrance:

• Stanbic Bank
• Centenary Bank
• DFCU Bank

Most ATMs accept Visa and MasterCard. Typical withdrawal limit is UGX 1,000,000-2,000,000 per transaction ($260-530 USD). ATM fees are typically UGX 10,000-15,000 ($2.70-4 USD) per withdrawal for international cards.

Currency Exchange

Forex bureaus in the arrivals hall offer currency exchange services. Airport rates include markups of 3-5% compared to Kampala forex bureaus.

• USD and EUR are the most readily exchanged currencies
• GBP and KES (Kenyan Shillings) also accepted
• Bring newer USD bills ($50 and $100 denominations get better rates). Bills from before 2006 may be refused.

Practical Notes

• Card acceptance: Major hotels, restaurants in Kampala, and safari lodges accept Visa and MasterCard. Smaller shops, markets, and transport are cash-only.
• USD: Widely accepted for tourism services (gorilla permits, safari lodges, some hotels). National park fees are priced in USD.
• Tipping: Not expected but appreciated. UGX 5,000-10,000 for good service at restaurants. Safari guides: $10-20 USD per person per day.

Shopping options at EBB are modest.

Duty-Free

The duty-free shop in the departure lounge carries a basic selection:

• Alcohol: Local and imported spirits, including Ugandan Waragi (local gin)
• Tobacco: Standard cigarette brands
• Perfumes and cosmetics: Limited selection
• Chocolates and snacks

Souvenir Shops

Small craft shops in both arrivals and departures sell:

• Ugandan coffee: Locally grown Arabica and Robusta beans. Good quality and affordable.
• Bark cloth products: Traditional Ugandan craft made from fig tree bark (UNESCO-recognized)
• Banana leaf crafts: Baskets, bags, and decorative items
• Gorilla carvings and artwork: Wood and soapstone carvings
• Kikoy fabrics and clothing

Shopping Tips

• Prices at airport shops are marked up. For better deals on crafts, visit the Uganda Crafts 2000 shop or markets in Kampala.
• Ugandan coffee is an excellent purchase and reasonably priced even at the airport.

Lounge options at EBB are limited.

Priority Pass Lounges

Pearl Lounge (Departures, after security)

• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or day pass
• Day pass: ~$35 USD
• Amenities: Buffet food, drinks (including alcohol), WiFi, TV, charging stations
• Hours: Opens for flight schedules, not 24/7
• Capacity: Small, can fill up when multiple flights depart in the evening window

Airline Lounges

VIP Lounge (Departures)

• Access: Business class passengers on select airlines, some airline loyalty programs
• Amenities: Basic food and beverages, WiFi, seating

Access Tips

• The airport has no major international airline lounges (no Emirates, Turkish, or KLM branded lounge)
• Priority Pass is the most reliable way to access a lounge at EBB
• During peak departure times (typically evenings when European and Middle Eastern flights depart), lounges fill up quickly. Arrive early.

Hotels near EBB are concentrated in Entebbe town, which is just 5-10 minutes from the terminal. Entebbe is a pleasant lakeside town and a better overnight base than fighting Kampala traffic for an early flight.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe is the closest hotel to the airport, located within walking distance of the terminal, and is popular with transit passengers and crew.

Entebbe and Kampala serve as the gateway to Uganda's national parks and wildlife experiences, including the world-renowned mountain gorilla trekking.

Gorilla Trekking

Uganda is one of only three countries where mountain gorillas can be visited in the wild.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Home to roughly half the world's mountain gorillas. 8-10 hours by road from Kampala, or 1-hour flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Smaller park on the Virunga volcanoes, 9-10 hours by road from Kampala.
• Gorilla trekking permit: $800 USD per person (as of 2026, purchased through Uganda Wildlife Authority). Book well in advance as permits sell out months ahead.
• Best time: June-September and December-February (dry seasons) for easier trekking conditions.

National Parks

Park	Distance from Kampala	Known For
Queen Elizabeth NP	6-7 hours by road	Tree-climbing lions, boat safaris on Kazinga Channel
Murchison Falls NP	5-6 hours by road	Nile waterfall, big game safaris
Kibale Forest NP	5-6 hours by road	Chimpanzee tracking
Lake Mburo NP	3-4 hours by road	Zebras, closest park to Kampala
Kidepo Valley NP	10-12 hours by road or 2-hour flight	Remote wilderness, cheetahs, ostriches

Entebbe Attractions

If you have time before or after your flight:

• Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo): 10 min from airport. Rescued wildlife including chimps, lions, and shoebill storks. UGX 30,000 (~$8 USD) entry for foreigners.
• Botanical Gardens: On the Lake Victoria shore, 10 min from airport. Peaceful grounds, monkeys, birds. UGX 20,000 (~$5 USD) entry.
• Lake Victoria beaches: Several beach resorts within 15-20 min of the airport for swimming and relaxation.
• Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary: Boat trip from Entebbe (45 min). Half-day visit from $95 USD.

Kampala Highlights

• Kasubi Tombs: UNESCO World Heritage Site, burial grounds of Buganda kings. 1.5 hours from airport.
• Owino Market: Massive open-air market for an immersive local experience. 1.5 hours from airport.
• Ndere Cultural Centre: Traditional Ugandan music and dance performances on select evenings. 1 hour from airport.
• Kampala nightlife: Neighbourhoods like Kololo and Bugolobi have restaurants and bars.

Practical Tips

• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Uganda. You will be asked to show it at immigration.
• Malaria: Present throughout Uganda, including Kampala and Entebbe. Take prophylaxis and use insect repellent.
• Weather: Tropical climate, warm year-round (22-28°C / 72-82°F). Rainy seasons are March-May and October-November.
• Language: English and Swahili are official languages. Luganda is widely spoken in the Kampala-Entebbe area.
• Power: Type G (British 3-pin) outlets. 240V. Bring an adapter.
• Safety: Uganda is generally safe for tourists. Exercise normal precautions in Kampala. Safari areas are well-managed.
• Altitude: Kampala and Entebbe are at 1,100-1,200m. No altitude concerns. However, gorilla trekking in Bwindi reaches 2,000-2,600m, so be prepared for physical exertion.
• Water: Drink bottled or treated water only. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive.