Tourism stakeholders in Uganda and Kenya are calling attention to the rising cost of regional travel, particularly airfares between the two neighbouring countries, as both destinations seek to increase cross-border tourism and promote multi-destination travel.
The issue came into focus during preparations for the 5th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, scheduled for October 26th to 27th, 2026, in Mombasa.
The summit is bringing together tourism businesses, government representatives, investors, technology companies and other industry stakeholders to discuss ways of improving tourism cooperation and mobility across East Africa.
Among the concerns raised by industry leaders is the cost of flying between Uganda and Kenya.
Private Sector Foundation Uganda Executive Director Stephen Asiimwe said a flight between Entebbe and Nairobi, despite taking approximately 50 minutes, could cost around US$800, while a flight from Entebbe to Mombasa could cost around US$700.
For tourism businesses, the issue goes beyond the price of an airline ticket. Expensive transportation can influence where visitors choose to travel, how long they stay and whether they combine tourism destinations within the region.
Why Uganda and Kenya Need Easier Regional Travel
Uganda and Kenya have complementary tourism products.
Uganda is known for experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, wildlife safaris, birdwatching, adventure tourism and the Source of the Nile.
Kenya offers a different mix of attractions, including the beaches and marine experiences of the Kenyan Coast, wildlife destinations such as the Maasai Mara and Amboseli National Parks, and cultural and urban tourism experiences.
This creates an opportunity for multi-destination East African holidays.
A traveler could, for example, begin with a Uganda safari, continue to Kenya for a beach holiday and finish the trip in Nairobi or another regional destination.
However, the more expensive and complicated it becomes to move between destinations, the more difficult it can be for tour operators to package these experiences competitively.
Kenyan and Ugandan officials have therefore been discussing ways to improve connectivity and remove barriers affecting tourism movement.
High Airfares Raise Concerns Among Tourism Stakeholders
The cost of air travel has emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned challenges.
According to stakeholders quoted during the 5th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit discussions, a relatively short flight between Entebbe and Nairobi can cost substantially more than travelers might expect based on the distance and flight time.
The issue has prompted calls for governments, aviation authorities and airlines to examine factors contributing to regional fares.
Kenyan High Commission Minister Counsellor David Kabata said increased competition could potentially influence fares, while also pointing to taxation as one factor that should be examined.
Uganda’s tourism minister has also called for attention to regional air travel costs and other non-tariff barriers that can make travel between the two countries (Uganda and Kenya) more difficult.
Road Transport Remains an Alternative
Air travel is not the only way to move between Uganda and Kenya.
Road transport provides another option, particularly for travelers who have more time and want to experience the region by road.
According to reporting from the Daily Monitor, a bus journey from Uganda to the Kenyan Coast can cost approximately UGX 100,000, although the journey can take around eight to ten hours.
For some travelers, buses and private road transfers can therefore provide a more affordable alternative to regional flights.
However, journey time becomes an important consideration, especially for visitors combining a safari with a limited number of days at the Kenyan Coast.
Tour operators can help travelers determine whether road transport, scheduled flights, private transfers or a combination of options makes the most sense for their itinerary.
Cross-Border Procedures Also Affect Tourism
Travel costs are only one part of the challenge.
Tourism stakeholders have also raised concerns about immigration procedures, electronic travel requirements, digital payments and other administrative barriers affecting movement between Uganda and Kenya.
Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Herbert Kiguli, has called for smoother cross-border movement and highlighted challenges associated with existing procedures.
The Kenya News Agency reported that stakeholders were also discussing implementation of the East African Community’s provisions on movement of people and services.
The issue is particularly relevant for multi-country tourism packages.
A visitor planning to experience Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania needs a straightforward system for moving between destinations.
If border, payment or travel procedures become complicated, the overall holiday can become more expensive and less convenient.
Uganda and Kenya Already Have Strong Tourism Links
Despite these challenges, tourism movement between Uganda and Kenya has been growing.
The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Kenyan visitors to Uganda increased from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025, while Kenya Tourism Board figures cited by the ministry showed Ugandan arrivals to Kenya increasing from 201,623 to 234,556 over the same period.
The figures demonstrate the importance of the two markets to each other.
Kenya has also been identified as Uganda’s leading source market for tourism, while Uganda is an important source market for Kenya.
This provides a substantial foundation for deeper regional tourism cooperation.
The Growing Opportunity for Multi-Destination Safaris
Lower travel costs could make it easier for international and regional travelers to combine Uganda and Kenya in one holiday.
For example, a multi-destination itinerary could include:
Uganda Wildlife and Kenya Beach Holiday
- Travelers could begin with wildlife viewing in Uganda before flying or traveling by road to Kenya’s Coast for several days of relaxation.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Kenya Coast
- A traveler could spend several days trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before continuing to Mombasa, Diani or another coastal destination in Kenya.
Uganda Wildlife and Maasai Mara
- A longer East African safari could combine Uganda’s wildlife parks with Kenya’s Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Kampala, Jinja and Mombasa
- Travelers interested in culture, adventure and coastal tourism could combine Kampala and Jinja with a Kenyan Coast holiday.
These combinations can give tour operators opportunities to develop packages that spread visitor spending across several destinations.
Tourism Businesses Could Benefit From Better Connectivity
More affordable and convenient travel would have implications beyond airlines.
A visitor moving between Uganda and Kenya can generate revenue for:
- Tour operators
- Hotels and lodges
- Restaurants
- Airlines
- Bus companies
- Car-hire businesses
- Local guides
- Attractions
- Craft businesses
- Community tourism initiatives
- Travel agencies
- Airports and other transport services
The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has positioned the Uganda-Kenya tourism cooperation initiative as a platform for strengthening links among tour operators, hotels, travel agents, transport companies, technology firms and investors.
This makes regional connectivity an important tourism-business issue as well as a transport issue.
The 2026 Uganda-Kenya Tourism Summit
The 5th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit will take place in Mombasa on October 26th to 27th, 2026.
The summit’s theme is:
“Unlocking Tourism Opportunities: Resolving Policy Bottlenecks Through Technology, Youth, and Seamless Mobility Across East Africa.”
According to the Ugandan Consulate in Mombasa, discussions will focus on tourism cooperation, technology, investment, connectivity and the practical removal of barriers affecting regional movement.
The summit also provides a platform for tourism businesses from both countries to strengthen partnerships and explore multi-destination travel products.
What Cheaper Regional Travel Could Mean for Travelers
If regional travel between Uganda and Kenya becomes more affordable and seamless, travelers could potentially benefit from:
- More competitive multi-country safari packages
- Greater choice of airlines and transport providers
- Easier Uganda-Kenya itineraries
- More affordable regional holidays
- Better connections between safari and beach destinations
- More flexible travel arrangements
- Increased opportunities for short regional breaks
For travelers, the value of improved connectivity is not simply about getting from one airport to another. It can make it easier to experience several destinations during the same holiday.
What Tour Operators Can Do
While governments and airlines consider the broader cost and policy issues, tour operators can also help travelers manage regional travel costs.
A professional tour operator can:
- Compare road and air transport options
- Build multi-destination itineraries around available connections
- Recommend appropriate travel dates
- Combine Uganda and Kenya experiences efficiently
- Coordinate airport and hotel transfers
- Explain border and entry requirements
- Recommend suitable accommodation
- Help travelers avoid unnecessary backtracking
- Package safari and beach experiences together
This type of planning becomes particularly useful for international visitors who may not be familiar with the distances and transportation options within East Africa.
Responsible Tourism and Regional Travel
Affordable travel should also support sustainable tourism.
As Uganda and Kenya work to increase visitor numbers, tourism growth needs to create meaningful benefits for local communities, conservation initiatives and tourism businesses.
Travelers can contribute by choosing locally operated tours, staying at locally owned accommodation where possible, hiring local guides, purchasing locally made crafts and participating in community tourism experiences.
For multi-country holidays, this can mean spreading tourism expenditure across communities and businesses in both Uganda and Kenya.
Plan Your Uganda Safari With Responsible Tourism Company Ltd
For travelers planning to explore Uganda before continuing to Kenya, Responsible Tourism Company Ltd can help create a tailor-made itinerary around your preferred destinations, activities and travel dates.
Uganda can be combined with Kenya for a range of experiences, including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife safaris, birdwatching, cultural tourism and adventure activities, followed by a Kenyan Coast holiday or other Kenyan experiences.
Whether you are planning a private Uganda safari, a Uganda-Kenya multi-destination holiday or a tailor-made East African adventure, the itinerary can be designed around practical transport connections and the amount of time available.
Start planning your Uganda safari with Responsible Tourism Company Ltd and explore how Uganda can be combined with Kenya for a memorable East African journey.
Looking Ahead
The discussion around Uganda-Kenya tourism comes at a time when both countries are looking for ways to strengthen regional tourism and increase visitor spending.
The upcoming tourism summit provides an opportunity for governments and private-sector stakeholders to address some of the practical issues affecting travel, including air connectivity, cross-border procedures and tourism cooperation.
For travelers, the outcome could eventually mean easier movement and more opportunities to combine Uganda’s wildlife, gorilla and adventure experiences with Kenya’s wildlife, coastal and cultural attractions.
For tourism businesses, improved connectivity could provide a stronger foundation for building multi-destination East African travel packages.
The challenge now is turning discussions about cheaper travel and seamless mobility into practical improvements that travelers can experience on the ground.
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