Aero Beach Entebbe Uganda: Plane Graveyard, Statues & What To Expect

If you are looking for unique things to do in Entebbe, Uganda then Aero Beach is one of those places that will genuinely surprise you. Located right on the shores of Lake Victoria, just minutes from Entebbe International Airport, this laid-back beach is famous for something you don’t see anywhere else: a plane graveyard right next to the water.

Yes… actual airplanes sitting on the sand.

I ended up here with a couple spare days in Entebbe after my gorilla trekking adventures in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as part of my ultimate 3 week Uganda itinerary.

Honestly I didn’t expect much. But Aero Beach turned out to be one of those random travel finds that just sticks with you. Between the abandoned aircraft, the bizarre collection of giant statues and the relaxed local vibe, this place is as quirky as it gets.

In this guide I’ll show you exactly what to expect when visiting Aero Beach Entebbe, how to get there, the entrance fee, and whether it is actually worth your time when passing through Uganda’s main gateway.

Uganda is one of those destinations that feels raw and unfiltered. If you are still planning your trip, make sure to read my guide about traveling to Uganda with all the essential tips.

Make sure to stay connected when traveling to Uganda. You can buy a SIM card at Entebbe Airport, read my full guide about the best prepaid SIM card for tourists or check out my Uganda eSIM comparison.

Is Aero Beach Entebbe Worth Visiting?

Let me be very clear: Aero Beach is not your typical tropical beach destination. You don’t come here for white sand, crystal clear water or a luxury beach club experience. You come here because it is weird, unexpected and actually pretty cool.

Standing on the shores of Lake Victoria with abandoned airplanes next to you is just one of those random travel moments that you don’t really find anywhere else. Add in the bizarre collection of giant statues and a laid-back local vibe, and you get a place that is far more interesting than it probably should be.

So is Aero Beach worth visiting? Yes… but only if it fits your travel style.

Aero Beach is worth it if:
✔️ You have a couple hours to kill in Entebbe before or after your flight
✔️ You like unusual places and off-the-beaten-path spots
✔️ You enjoy photography and quirky travel experiences
✔️ You want something easy and close to the airport

You might want to skip Aero Beach if:
❌ You are expecting a beautiful tropical beach day
❌ You are short on time and prioritizing major Uganda highlights like safari or gorilla trekking
❌ You prefer polished, organized tourist attractions

Personally, I really enjoyed visiting Aero Beach, not because it is a must-see attraction, but because it is just so different. It is the kind of place you visit without expectations and end up leaving with a smile.

If you are passing through Entebbe anyway, I would definitely recommend stopping by. Just don’t set your expectations too high and you will probably enjoy it more than you think.

RELATED: 23 Best Things To Do in Kampala.

What to Expect at Aero Beach

Plane Graveyard

The name Aero Beach probably doesn’t only come from its close proximity to the International Airport of Entebbe. I guess the plane graveyard adds up to the name as well. There are two big planes at Aero Beach, one on your left and one on your right.

The one on your left from British Airtours and can actually be entered actually. I was there on a Monday morning and no one was around, so I could climb into and onto the plane. No one seemed to care and there are no signs that it is prohibited either.

On top of the two big planes there are several smaller planes around that you can check out and even sit in. Aero Beach is definitely a cool place to go and take pictures when staying overnight in Entebbe. Not oyur standard tourist attraction in Uganda, but great for passing time.

World Leaders Statues Aero Beach

If the plane graveyard isn’t enough reason to visit Aero Beach then may the big statues of some famous world leaders are.

Scattered around the garden you will find statues of: Queen Elizabeth, the Obamas, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, a couple African leaders and generals and some huge statues of wild animals.

Tourists eat their heart out taking selfies and phots with these statues. Grabbing a beer and a chair watching people taking photos with the statues is already pretty fun.

Beach & Atmosphere

Let’s set expectations right: Aero Beach is not a picture-perfect tropical beach. You won’t find white powdery sand or crystal clear blue water here. This is Lake Victoria, and the beach has a much more raw, local feel to it.

But that is also exactly what makes it interesting.

The vibe at Aero Beach is laid-back and very local. On most days you will find Ugandan families, couples and small groups of friends hanging out, enjoying the lake views, having a drink or some food and just relaxing by the water. It feels real, not staged for tourists.

At the same time, Aero Beach can completely change its character. The area is sometimes used for events, concerts and gatherings, which means it can suddenly get busy, louder and a bit chaotic. If you happen to visit on an event day, expect higher entrance fees and a totally different atmosphere.

On a quiet day though, especially towards sunset, this place actually has a very chill and almost peaceful vibe. Watching the sun go down over Lake Victoria with airplanes in the background… it is a pretty unique setting.

So no, you don’t come to Aero Beach for the beach itself. You come for the overall experience, the randomness of it all and the atmosphere that somehow just works.

Restaurant

When you enter you will see a big building on the shore line right in front of you. Next to the statue of Nelson Mandela and behind the statues of Mahatma Gandhi. Thank God this is NOT the restaurant. No clue what this building once was, but it looks like it is about to fall apart. For the look and feel of Aero Beach I hope they take down this building soon!

The restaurant is located on the beach all the way to the right end when you walk into Aero Beach. It has a kind of courtyard seating area. It is mostly fast food that they serve here, but a popular dish is to have fresh fish from Lake Victoria, mostly Tilapia fish.

Drinks and food are very moderately priced and visiting Aero Beach is not gonna break the bank for foreign tourists.

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Entrance Fee & Practical Info

Before visiting Aero Beach in Entebbe, here are a couple practical things to know so you don’t run into surprises.

Entrance fee: The entrance fee for Aero Beach is nowadays around 11,000 UGX ($3 USD). Prices can vary depending on the day and whether there is an event happening.

When I went it was only 5,000 UGX ($1 USD) but that was a while ago.

Payment: Bring cash in Ugandan Shillings. Card payments are generally not accepted, and there are no reliable payment facilities at the entrance.

Opening hours: Aero Beach doesn’t really operate with strict opening hours like a typical tourist attraction. It is generally open during the day, but exact times can vary, especially when events are hosted.

Events & atmosphere: Aero Beach is sometimes used for concerts, parties and local events. On those days the entrance fee can be higher, and the relaxed vibe turns into a much busier and louder scene.

Facilities: There is a simple restaurant and basic facilities on-site, but don’t expect anything fancy. This is a local hangout spot, not a developed beach resort.

Good to know: Always check the vibe when you arrive. If there is no event, you will likely get a quiet and relaxed experience. If there is something going on, expect crowds and a completely different atmosphere.

How to get to Aero Beach

From Entebbe to Aero Beach it is only like 5 minutes by Boda Boda. You can easily arrange one of the guys on the streets. Give them like 2,000 UGX ($0.5) or even a dollar whatever you feel like.

I became friend with my motorbike guy and eventually he also brought me from Entebbe to Kampala by motorbike. Back then I gave him 50,000 UGX for the drive which took 45 minutes. For me traveling by boda boda is one of the travel tips I always tell everyone when they are planning their trip to Uganda. Travel by boda boda is so easy, convenient AND fast.

Check out all my 33 Uganda travel tips.

Upon arriving there is a big red gate that has Aero Beach painted on it in big white letters. Every motorbike or taxi in Entebbe knows this place and it is very easy to get to Aero Beach.

If you are relying on Google Maps or ride apps to get around Entebbe, having mobile data makes things a lot easier. I recommend checking my guide on the best prepaid SIM cards for Uganda before your trip.

Or make it yourself easy and buy a sim card at Entebbe Airport.

You could potentially even walk. From Muti it is for example only 2 kilometer, so about 25 minute walk through nice and quiet streets.

Where to stay near Aero Beach

Entebbe In Entebbe I once visited a lovely coffee shop and they told me they even had rooms. It turned out to bquickly become my favorite place in Entabbe and every time I travel to Uganda I sleep here the first nights and the last nights.

It is perfect B&B and my favorite place to stay in Entebbe, the name: Muti Entebbe.

For me as a digital nomad it was heaven. Good coffee, lovely staff, great healthy food choices, vegetarian options, fresh juices and ok internet.

Muti is located in a neighborhood in Entebbe where most B&B's and hotels are located, so it is very easy to get to Aero Beach from anywhere in Entebbe.

Places to visit near Aero Beach Entebbe

Nearby there are a couple more beaches to explore like: Sports Beach and Spennah Beach. For those looking for an Entebbe Airport Hotel I can recommend the Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe. It has a nice pool with stunning views over Lake Victoria. It is located only 2 minutes from the International Airport as well as 2 minutes from Aero Beach.

I also visited Kampala from Entebbe and damn that was an incredible experience. I sincerely recommend you to check out some of the places to visit in Kampala, it is worth it, trust me. But be prepared for a very intense day! Kampala is crazyland in a good way! Have a look at the best things to do in Kampala and decide for yourself if you want to visit.

I recommend you doing a Free Walking Tour in Kampala. It takes around 4 hours and you will be guided by a local through the city.

It passes by the best places to visit in Kampala: Independence Monument, Katanga Slums, Craft Village, Nakasero Food Market, Hindu Temple, Owino Market, Namirembe Cathedral. Gadaffi Mosque and much more.

Watch my Aero Beach Entebbe video

Final Thoughts

Aero Beach in Entebbe is one of those places that is hard to describe and maybe even harder to categorize. It is not a must-see attraction in Uganda and it is definitely not a place you would go out of your way for.

But that is exactly why I liked it.

It is random, a bit messy, slightly bizarre and completely different from anything else you will find around Lake Victoria. Sitting on a beach next to abandoned airplanes while locals are enjoying their day, it is just one of those travel moments that sticks with you.

If you are passing through Entebbe, especially before or after a flight, Aero Beach is an easy and worthwhile stop. Just go in without expectations, embrace the randomness and you will probably enjoy it more than you think.

Tip: if you are arriving in Uganda and still need mobile data, having internet on your phone makes everything easier, from ordering a taxi to navigating around Entebbe. I compared the best eSIMs for Uganda for a hassle-free setup before you land. If you prefer a local SIM card instead, read my guide on buying a SIM card at Entebbe Airport.

And honestly… how often do you get to walk around a plane graveyard on a beach?

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