Four airfields in some of Uganda’s most iconic national parks will soon be tarmacked, making them capable of handling international visitors.

The announcement by the country’s Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Tom Butime means that, rather than having to go through immigration and customs in Entebbe airport, visitors with private jets will be able to land directly in their final safari destinations.

The airstrips set to be upgraded, coded and equipped with immigration posts are in the Kasese, Kidepo, Pakuba and Kisoro National Parks.

Hailing the news as a “game changer”, Butime said the improvement had been ordered by the country’s President, Yoweri Museveni, and the directive given to the country’s cabinet.

Previously the only airstrips at the locations were ‘bush’ airstrips, thereby requiring visitors to enter Uganda via Entebbe near the country’s capital Kampala and then finding alternative transportation via caravan aircraft or road travel.