Savannah Airstrip

Kihihi Airstrip occupies a patch of grassland 3 kilometres north of the town of Kihihi in southwestern Uganda, serving as the primary aviation access point for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the surrounding tourism lodges. The airstrip handles scheduled flights from Entebbe and Kajjansi, operated by airlines such as Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation, with journey times of around 90 minutes. Most flights arrive in the early morning or late afternoon, timed to align with game drives and lodge transfers.

Getting There

Kihihi town lies roughly 370 kilometres southwest of Kampala by road, a journey that takes about six to seven hours via Masaka and Mbarara on the main highway, then turning off at Ntungamo towards Kanungu. From the airstrip, most visitors are met by lodge vehicles or pre-arranged transfers. Drivers typically park along the gravel roadside just outside the fenced area. The nearest larger town is Kanungu, 18 kilometres north, but Kihihi town itself has basic shops, fuel stations, and a small market. For self-drivers, the final approach to the airstrip is a well-maintained murram road, passable year-round in a standard vehicle, though a 4x4 helps during heavy rains.

The airstrip does not have a public transport terminus. Boda-boda motorcycles and shared taxis operate from Kihihi town centre, but availability is inconsistent and fares should be negotiated in advance. Most visitors arrange airport transfers through their accommodation before arrival.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Kihihi Airstrip is a single-storey building with a simple, open layout. Passengers check in at a small desk near the entrance, where luggage is weighed on a portable scale. There is no jet bridge or boarding gate; after check-in, passengers walk directly across the tarmac to the aircraft. The waiting area has a handful of plastic chairs and a bench, but space is limited — most people stand or sit outside on the covered porch. The atmosphere is unhurried, with staff assisting passengers individually.

Facilities include a wheelchair-accessible entrance via a ramp at the front door, and a designated wheelchair-accessible car park space close to the building. Baggage storage is available: travellers can leave bags at the check-in counter for a small fee if they wish to explore the area without luggage, though advance notice is recommended. There are no restaurants or shops inside the terminal; passengers should bring their own snacks and water, especially if waiting for a delayed flight. Toilets are basic but clean, located at the rear of the building.

The airstrip operates only during daylight hours and usually only on days when flights are scheduled. According to typical patterns, flights arrive Monday at 6 am, Tuesday at 5 am, Wednesday at 3 pm, and Thursday at 11 am. These times reflect the most common schedules, but may vary seasonally — confirm with your airline.

Kihihi Airstrip and Kihihi

Kihihi Airstrip is more than a piece of tarmac; it is the gateway to one of Uganda's most distinctive wildlife experiences. The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, lies a 30-minute drive to the west. These lions spend their afternoons draped over the branches of ancient fig trees, a behaviour unique to this region. The park also hosts elephants, buffalo, and a variety of antelope, while the Ishasha River itself is home to large pods of hippos and crocodiles.

Beyond wildlife, the area around Kihihi offers insight into the Bakiga and Banyarwanda cultures that dominate southwestern Uganda. The town of Kihihi is a trading centre with a bustling market on Wednesdays, where locals sell produce, crafts, and second-hand clothing. The surrounding hills are terraced for agriculture — bananas, beans, and coffee — and a short hike from the airstrip provides panoramic views of the Kigezi highlands.

For those interested in history, the nearby town of Kanungu was the site of the infamous 2000 cult tragedy at the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God. While not a typical tourist destination, a memorial exists for those wanting to understand a sombre chapter in Uganda's recent past.

The region is also a base for tracking chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, about 40 kilometres north, and for boat trips along the Kazinga Channel, though those require a transfer to the main Mweya sector of the park. What makes Kihihi special is its relative quiet: while Entebbe receives international tourists, Kihihi feels local, with few distractions. Travellers come here for the raw encounter with nature, not for creature comforts.

Practical Information

Kihihi Airstrip is not open daily; it operates on an ad-hoc basis depending on flight schedules. The busiest times are Monday at 6 am, Tuesday at 5 am, Wednesday at 3 pm, and Thursday at 11 am, corresponding to regular flights. Always confirm your flight time with the airline 24 hours before travel, as schedules can change due to weather or demand. The airstrip has no official website, but Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation provide contact information for bookings. For emergencies, the nearest hospital is in Kanungu, 18 kilometres north.

A concrete piece of advice: arrive at the airstrip at least one hour before your scheduled departure, even though the terminal is small — check-in and security screening can be slow if multiple flights coincide, and staff sometimes need to call the pilot to confirm weight and balance. Also, carry cash in Ugandan shillings for any ground transport or luggage storage fees, as there are no ATMs at the airstrip.