Uganda Flying Expeditions are exceptional to have while on safari adventure and these offer you the best safari encounters as you engage in various activities. These take place in the various National Parks around the country and include using candid aircrafts instead of long road journeys. On these, you combine aviation with wildlife tourism enhancing quick connection to the safari places as you enjoy aerial views of the terrain landscapes.
Uganda referred to as the Pearl of Africa, offers diverse ecosystems such as savannahs, rainforests, wetlands and mountains. The Flying expeditions give you a chance to explore the diverse terrain environments efficiently and luxuriously.
On your Uganda Flying expedition, you shall catch a domestic Flight to transfer you in between destinations within Uganda while seated comfortably in a small charter aircraft or bush plane. The flights usually depart from Entebbe International Airport or nearby airstrips like (Kajjansi Airstrip) to distant parks or private airfields.
Rather than driving for a period of 8 to 12 hours to reach the National Parks, travelers can prefer to fly for a period of 1 to 2 hours hence saving time and avoiding the challenging terrain.
Flying expeditions in Uganda Destinations
Flying Expeditions in Uganda depart from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airstrip to Airstrips close to National Parks i.e
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
Kibale National Park
Mountain Rwenzori National Park
In Uganda, these safari destinations offer the best wildlife adventure experiences which include; Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking and Wildlife Safaris watching the BIG FIVE animal species of Africa.
How Uganda Flying Expeditions Operate
1: Arrival in Uganda
Most travelers first arrive at Entebbe International Airport, the country’s main international gateway.
2: Domestic Charter Flight
Guests board a small aircraft or bush plane that flies to an airstrip close to the destination park.
Usual flight durations:
Route Approximate Flight Time
Entebbe → Bwindi 1.5 hours
Entebbe → Kidepo 2 hours
Entebbe → Queen Elizabeth 1–1.5 hours
Entebbe → Murchison Falls 1 hour
3: Transfer to Lodge
Upon landing at the airstrip, safari vehicles transport travelers to lodges or camps in the safari destination of their choice.
4: Safari Activities
Activities to do may include:
Game drives
Gorilla trekking
Chimpanzee tracking
Boat cruises
Bird watching
Nature walks
Major Destinations for Flying Expeditions
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Uganda’s most famous destinations for Uganda Flying Expeditions as travelers find themselves getting o the destination to trek and encounter the rare species of Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. The Park is located in he South Western Part of Uganda and known to inhabit almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The Mountain Gorillas are located into various trekking families and trekked in different sectors which include; Buhoma Sector, Ruhija Sector, Rushaga Sector as well as Nkuringo Sector. All these sectors offer different adventures while in the presence of the Gorillas as some are hilly requiring travelers to be determined and physically fit to encounter the primates.
While in the Forest, you engage in adventures which include; Gorilla trekking, Forest hiking, Cultural visits to Batwa communities, Birdwatching. To trek the Gorillas, you must have a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit which costs US $800 per person interested in watching the amazing primates in their natural forest habitat.
- Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the distant north eastern part of Uganda close to the South Sudan border. The Park is known as Africa’s vast Savannah wildernesses offering remarkable wildlife Safaris to all travelers as well as unforgettable cultural encounters. It is one of Africa’s most remote and untouched parks with attractions like Large herds of buffalo and elephants, Lions and cheetahs, Dramatic savannah landscapes, Cultural visits with the Karamojong people. Due to its remoteness, flying expeditions to the Park are the most ideal way of getting to the Park to watch wildlife wander around their natural vegetation habitat.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited park located in the western part of Uganda in Kasese District. The Park is known for Wildlife Safaris as travelers get a chance to watch the amazing wildlife animal species wander around. You watch the wildlife animals as you transfer from one point to another in 4×4 wheel vehicles with ranger guides who inform you about the wildlife animals, terrain vegetation and activities you can engage in. Prominent safari adventures to do in the park are Boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, watching the Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector, Game drives, Birdwatching (600+ species) as well as lion tracking. These adventures offer you a chance to watch wildlife animals like tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, huge herds of elephants and buffaloes, thousands of hippos along the Kazinga Channel, leopards, chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge and Uganda kobs.
- Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and located in the North Western Part of Uganda. The Park is known to offer amazing Wildlife Safaris to all travelers on Uganda Flying Expedition Safari. The flying expeditions to the Park offer you a chance to reach quickly and explore the vast terrain watch many wildlife animals wander around. Attractions in the Park include; the Murchison Falls, Nile River boat safaris, Lions, giraffes, elephants and hippos, Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest. The wildlife animals you watch on safari here include; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes and Nile crocodiles, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, hippos, nile crocodiles and warthogs. There are also Chimpanzees which are trekked and watched in the Kaniyo Pabidi area of Budongo Forest, along with baboons, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys.
Aircraft Used in Flying Expeditions
Uganda flying expeditions usually use light aircraft suited for short runways and bush airstrips, such as:
Cessna Caravan
Cessna 206
Pilatus PC-12
Twin Otter
These aircraft typically carry 6–12 passengers and fly at relatively low altitude, allowing travelers to see landscapes such as lakes, rivers, and wildlife from above.
Cost of Flying Expeditions
Flying expeditions are generally more expensive than road safaris but provide convenience and exclusivity.
Typical price ranges:
Package Type Price
Mid-range (8–10 days) $3,500 – $6,000
Luxury fly-in safari $10,000+
These packages usually include:
Domestic flights
Accommodation
Meals
Guided safaris
Park entry fees
Wildlife permits
Costs that are usually not included:
International airfare
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips and personal expenses
Uganda Flying Expeditions/ Tours