Landing at Entebbe at Night: Your First Hours in Uganda, Step by Step

Many long-haul flights reach Entebbe International Airport late in the evening or in the small hours. After a day of travel, the last thing you want is to work out what happens next. This guide walks you through the first hours, from leaving the plane to closing your room door, using what our front office and drivers see every night at K Hotels Entebbe.

Before you fly: three things to sort out

Your visa. Most visitors apply for an e-visa online before travelling, on the official Uganda immigration portal (visas.immigration.go.ug). When we checked in November 2026, a single-entry tourist visa cost USD 50 and the East Africa Tourist Visa, which also covers Kenya and Rwanda, cost USD 100. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the portal before you apply, and keep a printed or saved copy of your approval.

Your yellow fever certificate. Uganda asks arriving visitors for proof of yellow fever vaccination. Keep the certificate with your passport, not in your checked bag.

Your airport transfer. At night, a pre-booked transfer is the calmest way to reach your hotel. If you are staying with us, send your flight number and arrival time to our front office at least 24 hours ahead by email ([email protected]), phone or WhatsApp. If you booked directly on khotels.ug, one airport transfer is complimentary, and you can use it for your pick-up. Otherwise a pick-up costs USD 20. We can sometimes help with last-minute requests, depending on driver availability, but booking ahead means someone is waiting for you.

From the plane to the arrivals hall

Arrival at Entebbe follows a clear order:

1. Health desk. Have your yellow fever certificate ready.
2. Immigration. Present your passport and e-visa approval.
3. Baggage claim.
4. Final security check. Bags pass through a scanner before you leave the terminal.

How long this takes depends mostly on how many flights land at the same time. From the moment the plane lands to the moment you reach our front desk, most of our night arrivals take 45 minutes to an hour, and that includes the drive.

In the arrivals hall: cash, SIM card, Wi-Fi

You will find ATMs, currency exchange counters and mobile network kiosks (MTN and Airtel) in the arrivals area. If you plan to travel on to a safari, buying a local SIM card here saves time later.

That said, our front office notices that the first thing most late arrivals ask for is simply Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout K Hotels, so if the queues are long at 2 AM, you can leave the SIM card for the morning.

Finding your driver

Our drivers wait just outside the arrivals hall, holding a board with KHOTELS and your name on it. We track your flight before the driver leaves the hotel, so if your flight is delayed, the driver's timing changes with it. You do not need to call us to say you have landed late.

The drive: 12 to 14 minutes

K Hotels is on Plot 32 Hill Road, Entebbe, about 12 to 14 minutes by car from the airport. At night the roads are quiet, so the drive is usually at the shorter end of that range. It is a short, simple transfer, not a long journey into Kampala, which is why so many travellers spend their first night in Entebbe.

Arriving at the hotel

Check-in at any hour. Our front office is staffed 24 hours a day, so there is always someone to welcome you.

One tip worth knowing. Standard check-in time is 2:00 PM. If your flight lands after midnight, book your room from the previous night. That way your room is ready and waiting the moment you arrive, instead of being prepared for the following afternoon.

Something to eat. Kurries, our restaurant, is open 24 hours, and a night menu is available through room service with soups and a variety of dishes. Many guests are happy with something light before sleep; others are glad of a proper meal after a long flight.

A quiet room. If you are a light sleeper, tell us when you book. Some rooms are quieter than others, and our team will do its best to give you one.

Your first morning

Sunrise in Entebbe is between about 6:30 and 7:00 AM all year. Breakfast at K Hotels runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM. If your safari driver is collecting you very early, ask the front desk the night before and the kitchen will prepare a packed breakfast for you.

If you have the morning free, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens and the shores of Lake Victoria are close by, and a walk is a gentle way to shake off the flight.

Quick checklist for a late arrival

• E-visa approval and passport in your hand luggage
• Yellow fever certificate with your passport
• Flight number sent to the hotel at least 24 hours ahead
• Room booked from the previous night if you land after midnight
• Hotel phone number saved: +256 777 824 000
• Packed breakfast requested if you leave early the next day

Arriving somewhere new in the dark is easier when you know what is waiting for you. Our team looks forward to welcoming you, whatever time your flight lands.