Kidepo Airstrip is located in Kidepo Valley National Park in the North eastern Uganda. The Airstrip serves the park and the surrounding areas giving access to Kidepo valley national park known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife that includes elephants, lions, zebras, leopard and variety of bird species. The airport is situated at an elevation of 3,700 feet (1,128 m) above sea level. It has a single unpaved runway which measures 1,500 metres (4,921 ft) in length and 21 metres (69 ft) in width.
Kidepo Airstrip to Become Kidepo International Airport
Kidepo Airstrip currently serves domestic scheduled and charter flights using smaller aircraft. It has supported tourism to Kidepo Valley National Park for many years. Despite its attractions, the park receives fewer visitors than some of Uganda’s other national parks because of the time needed to reach it. Uganda is expanding its aviation network with the construction of Kidepo International Airport in Kidepo national park. The airport is expected to improve access to the Karamoja sub-region and make travel to Kidepo Valley National Park easier for both local and international visitors.
The construction of Kidepo International Airport that kicked off in June 2026 is expected to improve accessibility, making it easier for travellers with limited time to include Kidepo in their safari plans. The airport has been planned as an international facility with infrastructure that can support passenger and cargo operations. The design includes a 3.6-kilometre asphalt runway allowing it to accommodate larger aircraft than the current airstrip.
Plans also include a passenger terminal covering about 7,408 square metres, a cargo terminal measuring approximately 74,200 square metres, aircraft parking aprons, taxiways, an air traffic control tower, security and immigration facilities and aircraft rescue and firefighting services. These facilities are intended to meet international aviation standards while supporting future growth in tourism, trade and transport.
How important is Kidepo Airstrip
Kidepo Airstrip being near Kidepo valley national park is a big achievement for tourism growth. Not all visitors empress driving for longer hours on the road to visit Kidepo valley national park which is one of uganda’s remote national park. So, visitors book and board scheduled domestic flights to the true African wilderness park of Uganda. Currently Kidepo valley national park stands as uganda’s big five national park hosting the big five animals such as African elephants, Lions, Leopards, Bufalos and Rhinos that were reintroduced in the park in march 2026 by the Uganda wildlife Authority.
Kidepo Airstrip is controlled by Uganda civil Aviation Authority to promote safe and convenient air transport system for local and international tourists in Uganda. The airstrip handles daily domestic flights for visitors from Entebbe international airport and Murchison falls national park or pakuba airstrip.
Air fares to Kidepo Airstrip
Each one-way flight ticket to or from Kidepo Airstrip costs only $541.80 and excludes tax, which is $10. The return flight however costs $1,083.60 excluding a $20 tax fee. Bujuku Eco Tours and travel ltd recommend that you purchase your ticket in advance, at least 2 weeks before your flight. Let us arrange everything for you with in the required time. Take note that for an aircraft to operate, a minimum of 7 passengers is required to have booked for these flights.
Flight time table for Kidepo Airstrip
Flights to Kidepo Airstrip is done on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight starts at 01:00 p.m. in Entebbe International Airport and arrival is at 02:30 p.m. The return flight from Kidepo to Entebbe International Airport starts at 03:00 p.m. to 04:30 p.m. But these schedules may vary if the aircraft reroutes. Flights to Kidepo are operated by Aero link Uganda as the licenced and approved private company.
Kidepo valley National Park as a Destination
Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s most remote and least explored national park, it is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness areas known as true Africa’s wilderness Located in the semi-arid valleys of Karamoja, the park borders South Sudan to the northwest and Kenya just 5km to the east, sitting approximately 700km from Kampala. It was first gazetted as a national park in 1962, Kidepo is a true safari gem, boasting an incredible variety of big game, unique landscapes, and rich birdlife. It is home to over 77 mammal species and an impressive 476 bird species, making it a prime destination for wildlife lovers and adventure seekers.