Travel Uganda - Uganda Travelling and Trip Ideas

Travel Uganda - Uganda Travelling and Trip Ideas

Transportation in Uganda

The East African country of Uganda is bordered by Kenya on the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo on the west, Sudan on the north, Tanzania on the south, and Rwanda on the southwest.

A fast and fun way to get around Uganda is by Boda-Boda. A favoured mode of transport, they are simply motorcycles or scooters with a cushion on the back.
Need to know the best ways to get to from and around Uganda? Our Uganda Transportation Guide has all the information you need. Taking a safari or tour in Uganda is an easy way to get around Uganda while also experiencing the many fascinating highlights Uganda has to offer. You can also check out our local transportation information in Jinja, Kampala and Entebbe and Western Uganda.

Uganda Transportation Guide

Getting to Uganda

By Air

The Entebbe Airport is the country's hub for air travel. Both international and domestic flights operate out of the airport. There are flights to several African cities from here. For example, South African Airways has direct flights to and from Johannesburg thrice a week.

Both KLM and Kenya Airways have daily flights to Amsterdam. While a few are direct flights, others fly via Nairobi. Boeing 737s operated by Ethiopian Airlines fly from Entebbe to Addis Ababa. You can fly from Entebbe to Dubaithrough Nairobi and Addis Ababa in the Airbus 340s operated by Emirates. Onward connections to Asia, Europe and North America are available from Dubai. Take a non-stop flight operated by Brussels Airlines from Entebbe to Brussels and then catch a connecting flight to India, China, Europe or the USA. British Airways has direct flights to London every alternate day.

By Train

Uganda Railways is not currently providing passenger services. Kenyan Railways used to provide a frequent rail service between Kampala and Nairobi though this is no longer in service.

By Land

Uganda has road connections with each of its neighbouring countries though they are not always open. Travellers are advised to seek local advice before crossing into Rwanda. Crossing the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo is highly dangerous and should not be attempted.
Crossing into Uganda from South Sudan was not safe earlier but now with the signing of the peace agreement between North and South Sudan, the border is open and can be safely crossed.

By Bus

Direct bus services between Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Kigali and Nairobi are operated by many bus companies. Night buses leave Kampala at 4 pm and reach Nairobi in 14 hours. Or you can cover the distance in two stages, travel up to the border by a matatu or bus, and then walk over to the other side. Daily services operate between Kampala and Nairobi, Arusha and Dar-es-Salaam.

By Water

Kampala in Uganda is connected with Mwanza in Tanzania by regular boat services that cross Lake Victoria.

Getting Around Uganda

By Boda-Boda

Boda-Bodas are bicycles, small mopeds, motorcycles, or scooters that are fitted with cushions at the back and are a cheap mode of transport in Uganda popular among the locals. Although convenient to get around in, ample care must be taken while riding them, as they are frequently involved in accidents. Nevertheless, they are a fast and fun way to get around Uganda.

By Bus

Two types of buses make up the Ugandan public transportation system. The so-called ‘taxis' are in fact commuter vans or minibuses that run on fixed routes, while the ‘real buses' run at a lower frequency and usually leave Kampala pretty early. Buses operated by several companies leave more or less from the same area.

Getting around Uganda's major urban centres by bus is an inexpensive way to travel. Buses however do not always run on time so unless you have time to spare, depending on the bus system is not a sound idea. Backpackers with time may find getting around Uganda by bus a good option.

A bus trip between Masindi and Kampala is covered in about four hours and costs about 8,000 shillings. It is important to remember that neither the buses nor the ‘taxis' run on fixed timetables, they leave the bus terminus when full. The official full capacity is 14, and buses on major routes leaving from Kampala must abide by this rule, but once out of view of the scrutinising eye of city officials passengers are packed in like sardines, making for one hell of a ride.

Source: http://www.uganda-holiday.com/uganda-transportation