Best National Parks Perfect For Flying Safaris in Uganda

Nicknamed the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is one of the most rewarding destinations for safari in Africa. Tourists can get around the country from one safari destination to another through guided tours, self drive tours or flying safaris. However much most tourists to the country choose to hire a car for self drive or rent a driver for a guided tour, flying safaris are a unique package worth trying out. Perhaps many would go for it but the fact that it makes a Uganda safari quite expensive, it has been left for luxury travelers who either have little time for their safari or do not want to sit for several hours during the long transfers from one destination to another.

Uganda is a fantastic wildlife safari destination with ten national parks where tourists delight in exciting activities; gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat cruise, hiking, nature walk and hot air balloon among others. Often, tourists want to engage in a range of activities yet the national parks require long road drives to connect from one to another. The least drive hours from Kampala to the nearest park is 5 hours while from some parks to others may take over 6 hours.

With flying safaris, travelers can carry on all safari activities of your interest within a shorter period as compared to when on a road trip safari. If you have a short vacation and planning for a flying safari in Uganda but not sure where to go for this trip, here are the places you can consider for your bucket list. If you are coming to Uganda through Entebbe International Airport, you can board the charter plane to transfer to the park still from this airport or Kajjansi airstrip.

Murchison Falls national park

This is the largest national park in Uganda covering an area of 3893 sq/km. It is home to the great Murchison waterfalls and a variety of wildlife seen in large numbers. Flying safaris to Murchison falls national park can be done any time of the year. The park has three airfields which make it easy for tourists to easily get to the part of the park that one is going to. Pakuba airfield is in the west of the park, Bugungu airfield in the north of the park and Chobe airfield also in the north area.

Murchison falls national park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda with exhilarating things to do including boat cruise, hike to the falls, game drive, hot air balloon and chimp tracking. The park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, giraffes and lots of antelopes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depending on the activities travelers are go to do in Queen Elizabeth national park, they fly in to airfields; Mweya airfield at the heart of the park, Kihihi airfield and Kasese airfield near Kasese town from where clients are transferred to the park by road. Landing at Mweya offers scenic views of the beautiful landscape of Queen Elizabeth national park made up the twin lakes, Kazinga channel and various crater lakes. As clients transfer from Kasese airfield to the park, they enjoy the wildlife en route.

For travelers who want to see animals as they land, morning and evening is the best time for you to fly to the park.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Tourists to Bwindi don’t land directly in the park but rather land about an hour away. Clients are then picked and driven to their lodge near the park to prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure. With the different sectors where gorilla trekking is done, you have to put in consideration which airfield to land; Kihihi airfield if you are tracking in Buhoma or Ruhija sectors in the north and Kisoro airfield if you are tracking in Nkuringo or Rushaga in the south of the park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Just like flights to Bwindi, Travelers heading to Mgahinga national park also land outside the park and thereafter connect to the park by road. Flights operate from Entebbe international airport, Kajjansi airport or other airfields to Kisoro airfield which is one hour drive from the park.

Apart from gorilla trekking, other things to do on a flying safari to Mgahinga Gorilla national park are the Batwa trail experience, golden monkey tracking and canoe ride at Lake Mutanda.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo valley national park best suits flying safaris in Uganda for it is the furthest national park in the country from Kampala and other national parks. Flights from the park operate mainly from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Apoka airstrip. Flying to Kidepo valley national park offers a beautiful aerial view of the park wilderness plains and some herds of animals.

Note that flying safaris to all the above safari destinations have to be pre-scheduled with a domestic airline company. Local tour operators are aware of the flight schedules and are the best agents to arrange your flying safari. To book for a flying safari in Uganda, contact us today through info@mumwesafarisuganda.com call our travel consultants on +256-700135510/ +256-414699459.