Off the Beaten Track Safari in Uganda

Quick Facts

Days

15

Takes you to

Sipi Falls, Pian Upe Reserve, Kidepo Valley Park, Murchison Falls Park, and Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve.

SAFARI OVERVIEW OF

Off the Beaten Track Safari in Uganda

This unforgettable 15-day Off-the-Beaten-Track Safari Adventure explores the hidden gems of East and Northern Uganda! Begin your journey with a mesmerizing visit to Sipi Falls, where cascading waters meet sweeping views of the Karamoja plains. Venture into the wild and untamed Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, home to elusive cheetahs and stunning savannah landscapes.

Feel the thrill of encountering the Big Five as you traverse the vast, untouched plains of Kidepo Valley National Park, where the spirit of the Karamojong people echoes in every breeze.

Dive deep into Uganda’s vibrant culture, breathtaking natural wonders, and adrenaline-packed activities as we journey through rugged terrains. Marvel at the thunderous power of Murchison Falls, explore the hidden beauty of Lake Albert Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, and immerse yourself in moments that redefine adventure.

This remote safari experience is a transformative journey filled with excitement, discovery, and memories to last a lifetime. Blaze your trail through Uganda’s best-kept secrets and uncover the extraordinary at every turn!

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Hike to the stunning Sipi Falls while supporting the livelihoods of local Arabica coffee growers.
Spot unique wildlife at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts.
Experience authentic Karamoja culture with a visit to a traditional Manyatta
Witness breathtaking wildlife and rugged mountain scenery in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Discover ancient art and cultural history in Karamoja’s rock paintings and Cave ExplorationDiscover the Big Five and cruise the Nile at the iconic Murchison Falls National Park.
Explore Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, which lies between the breathtaking Blue Mountains of the Congo and Lake Albert.
Stay in Midrange Lodges that support Responsible Travel

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport

Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay at the start of your Off The Beaten Track Safari in Uganda.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 2: To Sipi Falls - Coffee Tour

After breakfast, we journey towards Tororo, pausing to marvel at Tororo Rock, a towering formation that commands a 300-meter elevation above the plains. Our route continues to Mbale, a town at the base of Mount Elgon, renowned for its rich heritage and captivating culture.

Enjoy a delightful lunch in Mbale, surrounded by picturesque viewpoints along the way, before we proceed to Sipi Village. This charming settlement is positioned amidst cascading waterfalls and majestic mountains, offering a serene retreat. In the afternoon, indulge in an enlightening Arabica coffee tour, experiencing the process of coffee production from seed to cup.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 3: Sipi Falls- Hiking to the waterfalls

After breakfast, embark on a captivating hike to the enchanting Sipi Falls. Begin with a nature walk to the base of this renowned waterfall, then continue with a challenging ascent to explore a series of caves. The journey begins with a leisurely nature walk that leads you to the base of the majestic waterfall, where the rushing waters cascade down rocky cliffs amidst lush greenery.

As the trail ascends with a moderate climb, journey through picturesque landscapes adorned with maize fields, verdant banana plantations, charming bandas, and traditional thatched-roof huts- homesteads. You'll encounter additional cascades of Sipi Falls, each offering its own unique charm and scenic allure. Take in the inspiring sights and sounds of nature, pausing to cool off under the refreshing spray of the falls, and admire breathtaking views overlooking the valley below.

Optional Activity- You may participate in a thrilling abseiling experience down the mountainside, descending alongside the famous Sipi Falls.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 4: To Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Today, you'll journey from Sipi Falls to the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, immersing yourself in its vast plains. These plains are a tapestry of wilderness, rolling savannahs, and acacia woodlands, adorned with weathered rock formations. In the backdrop stand the majestic Mount Kadam and Mount Napak.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before embarking on an exploration of the reserve's network of wildlife tracks. Look out for the rare Roan antelope, alongside oribi, klipspringer, hyenas, ostriches, leopards, impala, Jackson’s hartebeest, and Rothschild giraffes. Make sure to watch for cheetahs as well; this reserve offers the best opportunity in Uganda to spot these graceful cats. Later, continue your journey to your place of overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 5: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve - Game Drives

After breakfast, head out for game safaris in Pian Upe before proceeding through Karamoja with stunning views with amazing scenery over the rugged landscape of the east of Uganda and Mount Kadam, which peaks at 3068 meters. Later, head back for relaxation at the camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 6: Manyatta Experience and Cave Exploration

After breakfast, you'll venture into the Karamoja plains for an enriching Manyatta Experience. Immerse yourself in the traditional way of life by visiting a local Manyatta homestead. Engage in various community activities that offer an authentic glimpse into the culture. Participate in tasting the local meals, enjoy the rhythmic songs and dances of traditional folklore, craft traditional Karamojong beads, listen to elders' captivating stories, and join in traditional Karamojong games. This interactive experience promises unforgettable insights into the community's heritage.

After lunch, head for Cave Exploration. The Napendio cave, revered by locals, houses ancient rock paintings that depict scenes of wild animals and the early human inhabitants of the area. Nearby, the Napedet cave provides a glimpse into the past with its cooking stones dating back decades. The cave’s walls are adorned with art featuring elands, warthogs, and giraffes, and the view from the cave is simply breathtaking.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 7: To Kidepo National Park, Narus Valley Game Safari

Head out through Kotido’s stunning landscapes to Africa’s wilderness oasis. Arrive at the premier park, Kidepo Valley National Park, for a delectable lunch and serene relaxation. Along the way, you get to pass the seasonally dry Kidepo River, on a good day, you can spot large troops of baboons close to the riverbed. Depending on the time, you might head towards the northern part of the park at the Kanangorok hot springs.

This area is particularly known for the flocks of ostriches found in the region. It’s also the best place to look out for cheetahs. Later head back to your camp. Alternatively, you may have a nature walk experience in the Narus Valley.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 8: Kidepo Valley Park Nature Walk and Community Visit

Today, venture into the heart of the Narus Valley, where the vast savannah plains await your exploration. Accompanied by a Wildlife Authority ranger, embark on a walking safari, a remarkable opportunity to intimately connect with the wilderness and its inhabitants.

Your knowledgeable ranger will guide you through the savannah, shedding light on the park’s rich biodiversity and storied history. Keep your senses sharp as you track various game herds, including the majestic Burchell’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, Grant’s gazelle, and the elegant Rothschild’s giraffe.

As the day transitions to evening, delve into a cultural immersion with a visit to the local community. Spend a captivating evening among the Karamajong people, gaining invaluable insights into their customs, beliefs, and way of life.

Participate in traditional dances and songs, embracing the vibrant heritage of the indigenous community. This experience promises to be a captivating blend of nature, culture, and unforgettable encounters.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 9: Kidepo Park - Murchison Falls National Park

Today, depart from your lodge as the sun rises over the savannah, leaving behind the wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park and drive through the stunning rugged scenery of mountains and plains, passing through Kitgum town onwards to the hub of northern Uganda, Gulu town. Continue on your journey to reach Murchison Falls National Park, the place for The Greatest Waterfall on the Nile, heading to your accommodation for a late lunch and relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Fort Murchison | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 10: Game Safari and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls

Today, get to explore the wildlife tracks, along Victoria and Albert Nile savannah plains dotted with a backdrop of palm trees and pockets of Acacia tree woodlands. Look out for Rothschild giraffes, lions, hippos, elephants, herds of buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, warthog, and waterbuck, and if you're lucky, you'll spot the elusive leopard! Get a stopover at the hippo pool on the Victoria Nile delta, where you can see hippos wallowing in the shallows across the water.

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise to navigate the course of the River Nile to the thundering base of Murchison Falls. As you meander upstream passing hippo pods lazing in the water, look out for crocodiles, buffalo, waterbuck, elephants, and Uganda kob on the riverbanks. To a bird watcher's delight, there is a multitude of birds that can be spotted, including the Red-throated and carmine bee-eaters nesting on the Nyamusika cliffs.

On reaching the base of the falls, you’ll marvel at the spectacle of the White Nile surging through a 7-meter wide gap in the rock face, cutting through Fajao Gorge, and falling 43 meters into the river below, before it meanders off through the savannah plains of the park.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Fort Murchison | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 11:Murchison Falls to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve

After breakfast, transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Lake Albert, passing through the great escarpments of Biso, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. After lunch, head out on an expedition for fossils that have existed for generations. Fossil hunting allows tourists to go on an expedition for fossils that have existed for generations in the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Lake Albert Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 12: Nature walk and Night Game Drive

Today, you will start your day with a guided nature walk in Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve. The nature walks will start from the Albertine Rift escarpment, which rewards tourists with breathtaking views of several antelope species, warthogs, primates, and bird species, among others. Later, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

After a bush early dinner, enjoy a night-guided game drive through the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve. Look out for leopards, hyenas, bush babies, civets, and also warthog, bushbucks, and waterbucks that continue their feeding activities throughout the night.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Lake Albert Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 14: Transfer back to Entebbe

Today you will have a bush breakfast and then depart for Entebbe, passing through vast plains and passing some markets selling a variety of tropical fruits, and will lunch en route, arriving in the early afternoon for relaxation at Papyrus Guest House.

Optional Stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Trekking and Lunch.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 15: Departure

Today, you will head to the airport for your onward flight home, marking the end of your unforgettable Off-the-Beaten-Track Safari in Uganda.

Included in the Off The Beaten Track Safari in Uganda.

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel
All Nature walks
All Community Visits
All Boat Cruises
All Game Drives
Drinking water / refillable water bottle
English-speaking Guide
Accommodation and Meals
All Park Entrance Fees.

Excluded from the Off The Beaten Track Safari in Uganda.

International Airfares;
Visa Fees;
Drinks and Beverages
Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff
Optional activities unless specified as included
Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.

Uganda – The Pearl of Africa’s Untamed Beauty

Uganda, aptly named the Pearl of Africa, is a land gifted by Nature. It is located in the Great Lakes Region with breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary biodiversity, and unforgettable adventures. This remarkably diverse country is where the East African savannah meets the lush West African jungle, creating an ecological paradise unlike any other.

Towering over Uganda’s landscapes are the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s third-highest range, and the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes, while the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, cradle its southern border. Lying in a basin between the eastern and western branches of the Rift Valley, Uganda’s elevated position gives it a more temperate climate than its equatorial location might suggest. Most of the country sits over 1,000 meters above sea level, with a landscape that is largely flat apart from the forested mountain ranges that often define its borders.

One of Africa’s most water-rich nations, Uganda’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands cover 25% of its surface, keeping the landscape lush and green for most of the year, though the northern region gradually transitions into semi-desert.

Nowhere else on the continent can travelers witness such a rich variety of primates with such ease. From great apes—mountain gorillas and chimpanzees—to over a dozen monkey species, Uganda is a primate lover’s paradise. But it’s not just primates that thrive here. With over 1,000 bird species, Uganda is a birder’s wonderland, home to rare rainforest specialists and some of Africa’s most sought-after birds.

We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you’ll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.

Entry Requirements:

Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps, and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.

Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$50). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at least two weeks before your arrival. You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.

Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.

Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commission may issue visas where such commissions are located.

Visa Exempt Countries:

The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).

East Africa Tourist Visa:

If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, valid for 90 days for USD 100 per visa. For more information, go through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration if you are entering Uganda first, or the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.

Money and Currency:

Before you travel, call your credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling. This will help to ensure the credit card company won’t flag any of your vacation expenses. ATMs are available in major towns or cities, though at times may not be reliable due to a limited amount of money to be withdrawn.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Major hotels and restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard. AMEX and others are not recommended as establishments usually don’t support them. Note that a surcharge of 5% is attached to their usage.
Local Currencies are recommended to use while on safari. There are many forex bureaus and banks in the capital cities and the main towns. Smaller denominations than US$100 may attract a less favorable rate of exchange. Notes older than 2010 may not be accepted in the country.
Forex Bureaus are located in major towns or cities and have regular banking hours Monday to Friday from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs. Saturdays are open from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs. Traveler’s Cheques may be changed in major towns/cities. American Express cheques are accepted but they do attract a low rate. If you can, forego this option. Note: A purchase receipt and a passport are often asked for by the bank and forex bureaus as proof of ownership.

Health and Medical Information

Travelers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days before your departure, otherwise you won’t obtain a visa. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. On top of that, it is also advised you get vaccinations for DTP, Hepatitis A, and malaria. Some organizations may advise you to take Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis B, and Rabies as well. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.

Travel Insurance on tour

It’s highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances. Ensure that your insurance policy provides adequate coverage for your entire trip duration and the activities you plan to undertake, such as wildlife viewing and adventure sports.

Flights & Getting Around

If you need assistance with flight bookings, Travelers Link Africa offers an in-flight service—simply share your travel dates, and we’ll take care of the rest!

What to pack.

• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.

• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.

• Insect repellent and sunscreen.

• Reusable water bottle.

• Binoculars and a good camera.

• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.

• Nature-blending clothes