Bukavu to Mbale flights
Mbale lies 714 km (443 mi) north-east of Bukavu, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 40 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Bukavu | Mbale | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Uganda |
| Population | 816,811 | 111,300 |
| Elevation | 1,631 m (5,351 ft) | 1,125 m (3,691 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Lubumbashi) | UTC+3 (Africa/Kampala) |
| Nearest large airport | KME, 8 km out | SRT, 94 km out |
Clocks in Mbale are 1 h ahead of Bukavu right now, so a 1 h 40 min journey lands 2 h 40 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Mbale
Crossing from Democratic Republic of the Congo into Uganda: money changes from the Franc to the Shilling (UGX); traffic switches to the left; sockets are BS 1363; the dialling code becomes +256; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3086706.
Airports at each end
Leaving Bukavu
Bukavu is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Kamembe Airport (KME), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 4,921 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
Arriving in Mbale
Mbale is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Soroti Airport (SRT), 94 km (58 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 6,100 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soroti Airport (regional) | SRT | 94 km (58 mi) | 6,100 ft | 3,697 ft |
Book a flight to Mbale
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Staying in Mbale
Live rooms and prices for Mbale are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Mbale
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Mbale from Bukavu?
714 km (443 mi) in a straight line, north-east of Bukavu.
How long does it take to get from Bukavu to Mbale by air?
About 1 h 40 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Bukavu and Mbale?
Mbale is 1 h ahead at the moment (Africa/Kampala against Africa/Lubumbashi).
Which airports are used for Bukavu to Mbale flights?
Typically Kamembe Airport (KME) to Soroti Airport (SRT).
What currency do I need in Mbale?
The Shilling (UGX).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.