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Major city · Uganda

Arua

One night is enough for Arua: use it as a transit stop for West Nile or a flight hub to Entebbe, not a base.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Arua is the commercial centre of northwestern Uganda, near the borders of DR Congo and South Sudan. It has a small airport with daily flights from Entebbe, a handful of hotels and a few ATMs. Most travellers pass through on their way to Murchison Falls, Ajai Game Reserve or the Albert Nile. The city itself offers little for sightseers beyond a market and a few restaurants.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
UGX
Best months
Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb
avoid Mar–May, Oct–Nov (rainy seasons)
Airport
EBB
Nights
1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Arua: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
  • East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
  • East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
  • Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
  • Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
  • Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
  • Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Arua999 ▾
  • Police999
  • Fire and ambulance112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Arua, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • BeerBeer (local)USh 4,000–6,000
  • Budget bedBudget guesthouse double room, a night, per roomUGX 19,000
  • Mid-range bedBudget guesthouse double room, a night, per roomUGX 35,000
  • High-end bedBudget guesthouse double room, a night, per roomUGX 60,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget UGX 40,000 · Mid UGX 70,000 · High UGX 120,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Gateway to West Nile regionAjai Game ReserveRhino Camp (historical Roosevelt safari site)Cross-border trade hub
Airports
EBB Entebbe International Airport (Daily flights with Eagle Air to Arua; about 1.5 h)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    29°C (84°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jun (17°C (63°F) low), wettest May (15 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Arua: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

31°C (88°F)

18°C (64°F)

4 rd

Feb

32°C (90°F)

19°C (66°F)

5 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

19°C (66°F)

9 rd

Apr

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

14 rd

May

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

15 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

11 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

12 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

13 rd

Sep

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

13 rd

Oct

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

14 rd

Nov

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

10 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

18°C (64°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) and minibuses are common. The central area is walkable. A taxi from the airport to town costs about USh 10,000–15,000 (check).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Ajai Game Reserve

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Private vehicle or boda boda, about 1 h south

Small reserve with elephants and antelope; best in dry season.

Rhino Camp

caution

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Private vehicle, about 1 h east

Historical site with little infrastructure; no accommodation.

Murchison Falls National Park

go

Door to door: About 3 h

Private vehicle via Pakwach, about 2.5 h

Major wildlife park; plan a full day or overnight.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

City centre (Arua Avenue area)

Most hotels and guesthouses; walkable to restaurants and banks.

Kuluva Road

Quieter area with a few budget guesthouses.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
USh 40,000–70,000 excl. bed
Mid
USh 70,000–120,000 excl. bed
High
USh 120,000+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × UGX 100,000UGX 100,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × UGX 70,000UGX 140,000
Eagle Air flight Entebbe–Arua one way2 × UGX 250,000 · checkUGX 500,000
Boda boda ride within town2 × UGX 5,000UGX 10,000
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUGX 75,000
Trip total≈ UGX 412,500 per person per day, bed includedUGX 825,000

2026 estimate in Ugandan shillings; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Boda boda ride (short trip)USh 3,000–5,000
Local meal (rice, beans, meat)USh 5,000–10,000
Bottle of water (1.5 L)USh 2,000–3,000
Beer (local)USh 4,000–6,000
Taxi from airport to towncheckUSh 10,000–15,000

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Arua is generally safe for travellers, but petty crime like bag snatching can occur in markets. Avoid walking alone after dark. The border areas with DR Congo and South Sudan have higher security risks; check local advice before crossing.
  • Boda bodas: agree the fare before you get on.
  • ATMs: Kenya Commercial Bank and Stanbic Bank have Mastercard/Visa ATMs; carry cash as backup.
  • Rainy season: roads can be muddy and flights may be delayed.

Emergency numbers

Police
999
Fire and ambulance
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AruaArua

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Azi, ni aziTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police999
  • Fire and ambulance112

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Eagle Air Entebbe–Arua: about USh 250,000 one way, 1.5 h (check)
  • Boda boda town ride: USh 3,000–5,000

Say or show

  • Iru — Hello (ee-roo)
  • Azi — Thank you (ah-zee)
  • Ngo? — How much? (ngoh)
  • Ee — Yes (ee)
  • Awa — No (ah-wah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arua. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb · avoid Mar–May, Oct–Nov (rainy seasons) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Uganda

Sources

Ask about Arua

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