London to Entebbe finally has a non-stop option: Uganda Airlines flies the route directly from Gatwick in under ten hours, giving safari-goers and the Ugandan diaspora a real alternative to the long-standing one-stop hops through Nairobi, Addis Ababa or the Gulf. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in pounds, and when to book to keep the cost down.
Route: London (LGW / LHR) → Entebbe International (EBB), Uganda
Distance: approximately 6,900 km (4,300 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 9h 40m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — Uganda Airlines flies non-stop from London Gatwick (currently three times a week) on the Airbus A330-800neo. One-stop options via Africa or the Gulf are often cheaper.
Fares from London to Entebbe (GBP)
Entebbe is a year-round gateway, but fares track Uganda’s dry seasons, when safari and gorilla-tracking demand peaks: December–February and June–September are the busiest and priciest, while the wetter months of March–May are the quietest and cheapest. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | high (dry season) |
| February | high |
| March | medium |
| April | low |
| May | low |
| June | high (dry/safari) |
| July | high (summer holidays) |
| August | high |
| September | medium-high |
| October | medium |
| November | medium |
| December | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking (London–Entebbe): a genuinely good return lands around £450–£540, a typical fair price is roughly £590, and the cheapest we’ve tracked dipped to about £380–£415 on a one-stop. Anything under about £500 is worth booking quickly.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 9½ hours):
- Uganda Airlines — non-stop Gatwick → Entebbe on the A330-800neo, three times weekly, with economy, premium economy and business cabins.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 13–18 hours total):
- Kenya Airways via Nairobi — frequent connections and often keenly priced from Heathrow.
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa — a strong African network and competitive fares.
- RwandAir via Kigali — a short onward hop into Entebbe, often among the cheapest.
- Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — comfortable Gulf and Istanbul routings, sometimes the lowest headline fares.
Because the connecting carriers compete hard, they usually undercut the non-stop by £50–£150. If your time is worth more than the saving, book the Uganda Airlines direct; if price is the priority, a single stop through Nairobi, Addis, Kigali or the Gulf is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Entebbe rarely fall in the final weeks.
- Avoid the dry-season peaks (December–February and June–September) if you can — these are the busiest for safaris and gorilla permits, and the priciest for flights.
- Travel in the green season (March–May) for the lowest fares; the rains come in short bursts and wildlife viewing is still rewarding.
- Compare all-in prices with bags: full-service and African carriers usually include 23–30 kg to Entebbe, but the cheapest “light” fares may not, so check before you book.
- Be flexible on London airport: the non-stop leaves Gatwick, but a one-stop out of Heathrow via Nairobi or the Gulf is often cheaper.
Arriving in Entebbe
All flights land at Entebbe International (EBB), on the shore of Lake Victoria about 40 km south-west of Kampala. There’s no train, so the usual options are a pre-booked hotel transfer or an airport taxi — roughly £25–£40 into central Kampala, depending on traffic, which can turn the 40 km into a 60–90 minute drive. Many safari operators include an airport pick-up, which is the smoothest way in. Uganda requires a visa for most visitors; the e-visa (or East Africa Tourist Visa) should be arranged online before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Entebbe?
The Uganda Airlines non-stop from Gatwick takes about 9 hours 40 minutes southbound. One-stop itineraries via Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kigali or a Gulf hub typically take 13 to 18 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from London to Entebbe?
Yes. Uganda Airlines flies non-stop from London Gatwick to Entebbe on its Airbus A330-800neo, currently three times a week. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, RwandAir, Qatar Airways or Emirates are often cheaper than the direct.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Entebbe?
A typical economy return runs about £460–£720 depending on the season. Good deals dip to around £450–£540, usually in the March–May green season, while the December holidays and dry-season peaks push toward £800.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Entebbe?
April and May are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid December to February and the June–September safari season, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Entebbe?
Non-stop: Uganda Airlines from Gatwick. One-stop: Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), RwandAir (via Kigali), plus Qatar Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines via their hubs, which often carry the lowest fares.
Which airport do I fly into in Uganda?
You arrive at Entebbe International (EBB), Uganda’s main gateway, on Lake Victoria about 40 km from the capital, Kampala. It’s the only international airport serving the country, so all flights — non-stop and connecting — land here.
How far in advance should I book London to Entebbe flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Fares tend to climb closer to departure, especially around the December holidays and the dry-season safari peaks, so early booking almost always wins on this route.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and being flexible by a day or two save a little on a return. On the non-stop, note that Uganda Airlines only operates on set days, so weekday flexibility mainly helps on the one-stop options.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
