Accra vs Entebbe: Which African City Should Be Your Next Destination?
Ghana and Uganda both offer rich cultural experiences, friendly welcomes and excellent value for UK travellers, but Accra and Entebbe each have their own character. Accra is a lively Atlantic capital known for its history, beaches, food and nightlife. Entebbe is a relaxed lakeside town on Lake Victoria and the gateway to Uganda's gorillas and safaris. If you are deciding between the two, here is how they compare on flights, cost, things to do and entry requirements.
Quick answer: Accra or Entebbe?
Choose Accra for city life, beaches, history and December festivities, with a daily direct British Airways flight from Heathrow (about 6 hours 45 minutes). Choose Entebbe for gorilla trekking, safaris and Lake Victoria, with a direct Uganda Airlines flight from Gatwick a few times a week (about 9 hours). Both have direct flights from London, and return fares start from around £529 to Accra and £479 to Entebbe with Dream Fare.
Accra vs Entebbe at a Glance
| Accra (Ghana) | Entebbe (Uganda) | |
|---|---|---|
| Direct flight | British Airways: daily from Heathrow, several times a week from Gatwick | Uganda Airlines: from Gatwick a few times a week |
| Direct flight time | ~6h 45m | ~9h |
| One-stop options | KLM, Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines | Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways |
| Return fares from | ~£529 | ~£479 |
| Best for | City life, beaches, history, Detty December | Gorillas, safaris, Lake Victoria, nature |
| Best time to visit | November to March (driest) | December to February and June to September (dry seasons) |
| Time difference | GMT: same as UK in winter, 1 hour behind in summer | 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter, 2 hours ahead in summer |
| Visa for UK citizens | Required: e-Visa portal or Ghana High Commission | Required: apply online before travel |
| Yellow fever certificate | Required | No longer required (from October 2026) |
Fares are a guide and change with dates and demand. Contact us for live prices for your trip.
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Getting There from the UK
Flights to Accra
British Airways is the only airline flying direct from the UK to Accra, daily from London Heathrow and several times a week from London Gatwick, taking about 6 hours 45 minutes. One-stop options include KLM via Amsterdam and Brussels Airlines via Brussels (around 9 hours 30 minutes), Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa. Not sure which to choose? Our guide to direct vs connecting flights to Accra compares them in detail, and our flights to Accra page lists every option.
Flights to Entebbe
Uganda Airlines flies direct from London Gatwick to Entebbe a few times a week, taking about 9 hours, and economy includes at least 2 x 23kg. On other days, popular one-stop routes include Kenya Airways via Nairobi and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (around 11 hours or more), Brussels Airlines via Brussels, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and Emirates or Qatar Airways via Dubai or Doha (around 14 hours or more). See our flights to Entebbe page for full details.
What Each City Offers
Accra: history, beaches and nightlife
- History: Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and historic Jamestown
- Markets and food: Makola Market, street food and one of West Africa's most exciting restaurant and nightlife scenes
- Beaches: Labadi Beach in the city, and quieter beaches along the coast
- Day trips and further afield: Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, the Kakum National Park canopy walkway, and Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom
- December: Detty December brings concerts, festivals and visitors from around the world
Planning a December trip? Read our Accra Christmas flights guide before you book, as fares rise sharply.
Entebbe: Lake Victoria and the gateway to Uganda's wildlife
- In Entebbe: the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and boat trips on Lake Victoria
- Kampala: Uganda's capital is around 1 hour away by road. See our flights to Kampala page
- Gorilla trekking: mountain gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park cost US$800 per person (US$600 in April, May and November). Bwindi is around 8 to 10 hours by road, so most visitors take a domestic flight of about 1 hour
- Safaris: Uganda's national parks offer chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and boat safaris
Book gorilla permits 3 to 4 months ahead in peak season, as they sell out. Our flights to Uganda page has more on planning a gorilla trip.
Cost of Travel
Both destinations offer good value once you arrive, with affordable local food and transport. The biggest costs differ:
- Accra: flights are the main expense. Fares rise sharply in December, so booking 3 to 4 months ahead for Christmas makes a big difference.
- Entebbe: flights can be cheaper, but if you plan to see the gorillas, the permit (US$600 to US$800) and domestic flight or long road transfer add significantly to the total.
On flights alone, Dream Fare return fares currently start from around £529 to Accra and £479 to Entebbe, though the cheapest option depends on your dates, airline and baggage. Comparing Accra with Lagos as well? See Lagos vs Accra: which is cheaper to fly to?
Visas and Entry Requirements
Ghana
British citizens need a visa for Ghana before travelling. You can apply online through Ghana's official e-Visa portal or through the Ghana High Commission in London. You also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. Our Ghana visa guide for UK citizens explains the process step by step.
Uganda
British citizens need a visa for Uganda. Apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug before you travel, and you'll receive an approval letter to show on arrival. The East African Tourist Visa (US$100) covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for 90 days. Uganda announced in October 2026 that a yellow fever certificate is no longer required on arrival, though vaccination is still recommended.
Entry rules can change, so check the latest UK government travel advice for Ghana and Uganda before you travel.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Accra if you want city life, beaches, history and food, you're visiting family in Ghana, or you want to experience Detty December.
- Choose Entebbe if you want gorilla trekking, a safari or a nature-focused trip, or you're visiting family in Uganda.
- Short trip? Accra's daily direct flight from Heathrow makes a long weekend easier.
- Lots of luggage? Uganda Airlines includes at least 2 x 23kg direct to Entebbe, and British Airways includes up to 2 x 23kg on standard economy fares to Accra.
Get a free, no obligation quote for Accra or Entebbe from Dream Fare today.
Get a Free QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper to fly to from the UK, Accra or Entebbe?
It depends on your dates. Dream Fare return fares currently start from around £529 to Accra and £479 to Entebbe, but Accra fares rise sharply in December. Comparing both for your exact dates is the best way to find the cheapest option.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Accra and Entebbe?
Yes, to both. British Airways flies direct to Accra daily from Heathrow and several times a week from Gatwick, taking about 6 hours 45 minutes. Uganda Airlines flies direct to Entebbe from Gatwick a few times a week, taking about 9 hours.
How long does it take to fly to Entebbe from the UK?
About 9 hours direct with Uganda Airlines from Gatwick. With one stop, journeys usually take around 11 hours or more via Nairobi or Addis Ababa, and around 14 hours or more via Dubai or Doha.
Which destination is better for a beach holiday?
Accra and the wider Ghanaian coast offer more options for beach time, while Entebbe is better suited to those interested in Lake Victoria, wildlife and Uganda's national parks.
Which is better for wildlife and safaris?
Entebbe. It is the gateway to Uganda's national parks, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. Ghana has wildlife too, such as the elephants of Mole National Park, but Uganda is the stronger choice for a safari.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Ghana and Uganda?
Yes, for both. Ghana visas can be applied for through Ghana's e-Visa portal or the Ghana High Commission, and Uganda visas online before travel. Ghana also requires a yellow fever certificate; Uganda no longer does from October 2026.
More Guides for Ghana and Uganda
- Cheap flights to Accra
- Cheap flights to Ghana
- Cheap flights to Entebbe
- Cheap flights to Uganda
- Direct vs connecting flights to Accra
- Ghana visa guide for UK citizens
- Cheap flights to Africa from the UK
Ready to book Accra or Entebbe? Dream Fare compares direct and connecting fares to both cities for your exact dates. Call 020 8264 0018 or message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
Fares, routes, schedules and entry requirements change. Information in this guide was checked in October 2026. Always confirm current details before you book or travel.