“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned upward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), painter, artist, engineer & Renaissance genius, Florence, Italy
The Muzungu was looking forward to escaping the sticky city of Kampala for some cool weather and the distant hum of village life. In fact I was so excited about my imminent departure to Kisoro (and then onto Mgahinga, Virunga and Kigali) that I was ready early: 24 hours early to be precise! Yes, my family may tease me for the missed flights and the missed trains, but not this time. At 5.15 in the morning – indeed! – I stood outside my house, bags packed, waiting for the driver to pick me up…
The smiling Aerolink staff welcomed us on board the plane. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
The Sunday morning flight from Entebbe International airport took off at 7:45 AM.
The check-in process for domestic flights Uganda is the same as for international flights; however, once you’re through security in the departure lounge, you are up in the air within minutes.
Clean, and with plenty of legroom, there were enough free seats for everyone in our group to have a window seat.
One of the pilots welcomed us on board and told us the emergency procedures. “Behind the seat in front of you, there is a sick bag, in case you need it.” I couldn’t help but notice his tiny, cheeky chuckle.
But we weren’t to need it, the Aerolink flight was smooth as smooth can be.
This lady looked like a regular domestic flight commuter. She was asleep before take-off! Aerial view of Entebbe.
Our flight took us over Uganda’s former capital of Entebbe. As we flew over the shore of Lake Victoria, we passed over Uganda Wildlife Education Centre UWEC and the departure point for the boat to Ngamba Island, home of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Wildlife Trust.
The low, early morning sun glimmered on the lake beneath us.
Aerial view of Lake Victoria. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
Islands – inhabited and non-inhabited – spread out below us, caught in outline by the rising sun.
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
Small wooden canoes passed beneath our plane, en route to fish in the depths of the lake.
Shards of sunlight break through the clouds. Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
Flying west, we flew inland over dozens of lakes and waterways, swamps and wetlands. Lake Mburo is a popular weekend destination for Kampala expats, and a convenient stopover en route to gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga or gorilla trekking Rwanda, but is in fact just one of many lakes in this part of the world.
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
Beyond the lakes, the topography changed. I love the way the shadows outline the contours of the land.
Aerial view of farmland south western Uganda. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
I was surprised to see geometric lines – defining land boundaries I assume – not a style I have seen in Uganda. I would love to know why this particular area of land has these straight lines. I wondered if the inhabitants of the area are from outside Uganda?
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
A newly tarmacked road passes through a trading centre. The road west from Kampala to the Rwandese border has been improved significantly over the past few years – but flying is so much more exciting!
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
The occasional hill and raised terrain give way to an uninterrupted mountainous area.
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
The morning sun glints on the tin roofs of houses below us.
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
There was a sense of anticipation as we approached our destination: Kisoro.
Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
Low cloud or early morning mist?
Terraced hills, south western Uganda. Aerial view
You have to admire the ingenuity of humans who can live and farm at this altitude. Note how steep many of the terraces are.
On our walking safari in Nkuringo, south side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we couldn’t believe how steep the potato fields were. One day we watched a young boy dragging a huge sack of potatoes up quasi-vertical terraced fields. How he managed to stay upright, I don’t know.
Terraced hills, south western Uganda. Aerial view
The first of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga chain comes into view. Mount Muhuvura is known as ‘the guide’ – this photo clearly shows you why.
Mount Muhuvura, one of eight Virunga volcanoes, comes into view. Aerial view. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
Like water lapping at the edge of the lake, mist half covers a village.
Mist covers village of terraced hill. Aerial view south western Uganda
Lake Mutanda is an increasingly popular tourist destination in South West Uganda. It’s a great base for hiking volcanoes, walking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, mountain biking, trekking the mountain gorillas or trekking the Golden Monkeys. Its proximity to Kisoro and the Rwandese border makes it a convenient stopover for anyone trekking the gorillas in Rwanda too.
Aerial view of Lake Mutanda. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
And she was still asleep! An hour and a half later, this lady passenger was still sleeping as the plane descended to land.
Lady sleeping on plane. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink. domestic flights uganda
Coming into land at Kisoro airstrip.
Coming into land at Kisoro airstrip. Aerial view of Kisoro. Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink
A perfect start to a perfect day.
Next stop, Mt. Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga – and breakfast!
Aerolink plane Kisoro airstrip – Diary of a Muzungu | Uganda travel blog
Are you looking for domestic flights Uganda?
Aerolink offer daily flights to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Kihihi and Kisoro airstrips), Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasese, Semliki and Mweya airstrips), Semuliki National Park (Semliki airstrip), Murchison Falls (Bugungu, Pakuba and Chobe airstrips) and Kidepo Valley National Park (Kidepo airstrip).
You can book and pay for your domestic flights Uganda online here www.aerolinkuganda.com
For more information on domestic flights Uganda, please email [email protected] or call +256 776882205/2/3
Funky yellow fire truck at Kisoro airstrip, south western Uganda, lovely Crested Crane logo on the door
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