From Kampala to Murchison Falls: your options
Most visitors drive from Kampala. The distance to the park is about 305 km, and the drive to the south entrance takes 4 to 5 hours. Many lodges lie another 1 to 2 hours beyond the entrance. A scheduled flight is faster but does not run every month. If you land at Entebbe, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer takes you into Kampala first.
A trip by road in one day is long, because the drive to the south entrance and back alone takes 8 to 10 hours. For a smoother plan, look at the Murchison Falls tours from Kampala with one or two nights in the park.
Road, flight and transfer compared
What each option covers and where it stops.
| Option | Time | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Road from Kampala | 4 to 5 hours to the south entrance, plus 1 to 2 hours to many lodges | Southern route via Masindi and Kichumbanyobo, or the northern route via Karuma |
| Scheduled flight from Entebbe | Entebbe 13:00, first stop 14:00 | No scheduled service in March, April, May and November; at least 4 passengers per airstrip |
| Airport taxi, Entebbe to Kampala | About 40 minutes, longer in heavy traffic | Indicative $40 or UGX 100,000; this is not a price for the trip to the park |
| Charter flight | – | A separate product; ask the operator |
For most visitors, the road with one or two nights in the park is the simplest plan. The flight suits a short stay outside the closed months.
Our pick: a two-day trip with pickup
A private 4x4 collects you in Kampala or Entebbe, so you skip the long drive on your own.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Murchison Falls tours from Kampala and Entebbe
Multi-day trips with transport, boat cruises and game drives, with live prices and availability.
By road from Kampala
The southern route and the northern route.
The usual road route is the southern one via Masindi and Kichumbanyobo Gate. Turn off at Kafu toward Masindi, then continue to the gate. The Masindi guide lists the distances. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is on the Gulu road about 176 km from Kampala, with a left turn at Nakitoma, so it makes a stop on the way.
Avoid driving at night outside Kampala and off the main road to the airport. Plan to arrive before dark. The park gates are open 07:00 to 19:00 and the speed limit in the park is 40 km/h. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is advised for the Masindi to Paraa stretch in the rainy seasons. That is advice for the route, not a rule for every park road.
Flights to the park
The scheduled service in 2026.
Outward
The scheduled flight leaves Entebbe at 13:00 and arrives at the first stop at 14:00. The airstrips for the park are Pakuba, Chobe and Bugungu. The routing can vary.
Return
The return leaves at 14:20 and arrives at 17:15. It does not take 1 hour as the outward flight does.
When it does not fly
There is no scheduled service to the park in March, April, May and November. The service needs at least 4 passengers per airstrip. Charter flights are a separate product with their own prices.
Taxi and transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB)
Airport taxis wait in the arrivals area and carry a yellow airport taxi plate. The indicative fare to Kampala is $40 or UGX 100,000, and the ride takes about 40 minutes, longer in heavy traffic. The expressway is faster. These amounts are indicative only and not a booking price.
The airport is 40 to 46 km from Kampala, depending on the start and end point. A transfer price is not a price for the drive to Murchison Falls, which is a separate trip of several hours. Ask a driver for a quote for the whole route before you agree.
Car hire and parking
Both self-drive and chauffeur-driven hire are available. Traffic drives on the left. A German driving licence is valid only together with an international driving permit, and rules differ by country. Motorcycles are generally not allowed in the park, and pets are not permitted. Park entry for your own vehicle is charged per 24 hours, with a surcharge for Murchison Falls. In the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026, a saloon car with foreign registration pays $50 and one with Ugandan registration UGX 30,000. The park fees page lists other vehicle classes.
The Nile crossing at Paraa and the Karuma Falls route
Two points on the map that cause questions.
Crossing the Nile at Paraa
A vehicle bridge links the two banks at Paraa, so your day does not depend on a ferry. Ask your lodge about the road conditions before you set off.
Karuma Falls and the northern route
Karuma lies on the Kampala to Gulu road, and the northern way into the park continues from there toward Pakwach and Tangi Gate. The Karuma hydropower station has a capacity of 600 MW. It has fed the grid since 12 June 2024 and was inaugurated on 26 September 2024. Do not count on a visit to the power station or to Karuma Falls, and check the current state of the road and bridge works before you drive.
Entry and health
An e-visa is applied for online, single entry up to 3 months, base fee $50, and a passport valid for at least 6 months. The East African Tourist Visa costs $100 for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for 90 days. A yellow fever certificate is no longer a general entry requirement, and all travellers fill in a Traveller Locator Form. Check the rules before you fly.
Combining the park with gorillas? Travel from Entebbe is covered at Bwindi from Entebbe.
Plan the rest of your trip
After the journey comes the stay.
Kampala to Murchison Falls: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls?
About 305 km. The drive to the south entrance takes 4 to 5 hours, and many lodges are another 1 to 2 hours beyond it.
Can I visit Murchison Falls in one day from Kampala?
It is a very long day. Driving to the south entrance and back alone takes 8 to 10 hours, before boats, drives or Ziwa. One or two nights in the park work better.
Is there a flight to Murchison Falls?
Yes, a scheduled service from Entebbe, first stop after 1 hour. It does not run in March, April, May and November and needs at least 4 passengers per airstrip.
How much is a taxi from Entebbe Airport to Kampala?
The indicative fare is $40 or UGX 100,000, about 40 minutes. This is not the price for a transfer to the park.
Do I need a four-wheel-drive?
It is advised for the Masindi to Paraa road in the rainy seasons. It is not a rule for all park roads. Ask your operator about the tracks you will use.
When are the park gates open?
The park gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00, and the speed limit in the park is 40 km/h. Plan to arrive before dark.