โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Pakuba Airfield (PAF), frequently referred to as Kabalega Falls Airport in regional navigation systems, is a vital domestic airstrip located directly within Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. At 2,365 feet elevation with a single 5,774-foot laterite runway (07/25), the airstrip operates a small, basic passenger terminal building that serves as the primary briefing and waiting point for fly-in safaris. It acts as a critical gateway for international tourists connecting from Entebbe to the park's world-class wildlife lodges.
The terminal infrastructure is functional and focused on essential services, providing a sheltered waiting area and basic restroom facilities for arriving and departing passengers. Staff from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are typically on-site to assist with park entrance formalities and regional transit. While the facility lacks commercial dining, retail shops, or ATMs, its strategic location near the Paraa region ensures quick transfers to nearby high-end safari accommodations.
The airfield features a 5,770-foot (1,760m) unpaved murram runway and operates strictly during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). It is primarily served by regional carriers like AeroLink Uganda and BAR Aviation, utilizing specialized turboprop aircraft for short-haul bush flights. Ground transportation is highly coordinated with local lodges, which typically provide pre-arranged game drive vehicles to meet guests directly at the airstrip upon arrival.
๐ Connection Tips
Kabalega Falls Airport (PAF), also known as Pakuba Airstrip, is the primary aviation gateway to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda. Access is primarily via domestic 'lodge-hop' flights from Entebbe (EBB) for safari tourists. Ground transport MUST be pre-arranged with your safari lodge; most visitors are met at the aircraft by an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle for the transfer to the camp (approx.
15-30 minute drive). There are NO public buses or independent taxi services at the strip. A significant tip: you may need to complete park entry permits at the airstrip office if arriving from outside the park Park-entry formalities matter more than the airport itself here, so a confirmed permit and a driver who knows the Murchison approach road will save time once you leave the airstrip.
The facility is basic but provides an efficient entry point for game drives. Ensure your pilot has the latest runway report regarding wildlife on the strip Wildlife sightings are a real operational issue here, so the smartest plan is to keep the strip on the same day as a park transfer and avoid treating the airport as a stand-alone urban facility. Park entry and lodge pickup are part of the arrival, so confirm both before the flight.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Kisoro Airport (KXO), identified by its ICAO code HUKV, serves as a critical aviation gateway for the Southwestern region of Uganda and acts as the primary hub for international tourists visiting the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Following a major emergency rehabilitation project completed in mid-2024, the airport features a modernized 1,200-meter asphalt runway and upgraded taxiway infrastructure to enhance safety and operational reliability. Positioned at an elevation of 6,200 feet, the facility provides an essential 1-hour-and-15-minute aerial link to the capital at Entebbe, drastically reducing the traditional 9-hour road journey.
The passenger terminal at Kisoro is a compact, functional structure designed primarily for rapid transit and efficient baggage handling for regional tour operators. Inside, the facility serves as a secure "drop-and-go" point where travelers are typically met by their lodge representatives for immediate transfer to gorilla trekking sectors like Rushaga and Nkuringo. While the terminal does not currently house extensive commercial amenities such as restaurants or duty-free shops, it is being positioned under the East African Tourism Circuit to eventually allow direct regional international arrivals for authorized charter flights from neighboring hubs.
Infrastructure at KXO is entering a major expansion phase for the 2025โ2026 period, with the Ugandan government actively acquiring land to extend the runway to at least 1,800 meters. This upgrade is intended to support larger regional aircraft and accommodate the increasing volume of high-end trekkers seeking seamless access to the Albertine Rift. Ground transportation is well-supported by local tour operators and private vehicles, with the airfield situated just a short distance from the Kisoro town center, ensuring it remains a vital pillar for the region's tourism-driven economy.
๐ Connection Tips
Kisoro Airport (KXO) is an absolutely critical aviation gateway serving the southwestern tip of Uganda, primarily acting as the high-end entry point for international tourists visiting the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Positioned at a high altitude of 6,200 feet, the airport is situated just outside the Kisoro town center and the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ground transportation from the modern terminal is well-organized but primarily focused on pre-arranged services. For the vast majority of travelers, the most reliable and efficient method is to utilize pre-booked 4x4 vehicle transfers provided by their chosen gorilla trekking lodges.
These shuttles typically meet every arriving flightโwhich almost exclusively operate in the morning hours to avoid the turbulent winds and dense cloud cover common in the afternoonsโand provide a scenic but rugged 1 to 2-hour journey to sectors like Rushaga or Nkuringo. For independent travelers heading into Kisoro town, local motorcycle taxis known as 'boda-bodas' are readily available at the airport gates and offer a rapid 5 to 10-minute link to major guesthouses. It is essential to agree on the fare beforehand, typically ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 UGX. The terminal building is a compact and efficient facility that focuses on rapid passenger processing; it features basic waiting areas but lacks commercial amenities like full-service restaurants or retail shops.
Arriving 60 to 90 minutes before your domestic departure to Entebbe (EBB) via regional carriers like Aerolink Uganda or Bar Aviation is recommended. Always carry sufficient Ugandan Shillings (UGX) in cash for local transport and tips, as electronic payment acceptance is non-existent in the immediate airport vicinity. The ongoing project to extend the runway to 1,800 meters is expected to further improve connectivity for larger regional aircraft by 2026.
โ Back to Kabalega Falls Airport