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 to begin the Uganda Adventure Tour.
Meal Plan: Dinner | 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: Mount Elgon National Park
After breakfast, we take a scenic drive to the Mount Elgon Forest Exploration Centre. This extinct volcano, straddling the Uganda-Kenya border, towers at 4,321 meters, making it East Africa's fourth-highest mountain and Uganda's second-highest peak. The day is dedicated to hiking, offering an opportunity to explore the mountain forest's incredible diversity. Two unique trails lead past sparkling waterfalls, hidden caves, and stunning viewpoints.
For birdwatchers, Mount Elgon is a paradise, home to an impressive 300 bird species. This remarkable destination promises an unforgettable experience for nature and adventure lovers alike.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 5: 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 6: 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, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 7: Manyatta Experience and Birding
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 out for a birding session amidst the woodlands of Mount Moroto. Look out for approximately 95 bird species, including the Crested Francolin, Red-eyed Dove, Ring-necked Dove, Laughing Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Namaqua Dove, African Green-Pigeon, Buff-crested Bustard, and White-bellied Go-away-bird.
Return to Karamoja Safari Camp in the evening for relaxation and an overnight stay, reflecting on the day's cultural discoveries and natural encounters.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 8: Relaxation and Rock paintings
After a relaxed breakfast, you will head out for an experience of Uganda’s rock art of ancient earth red paintings. Some of the rocks with paintings discovered are Loteleit rock, Mogoth rock, Nakapeliet rock, Nakadanya rock, and Kobebe hills in Moroto District, all dotted throughout eastern Uganda.
Explore the paintings from the Cushitic tribes that depict scenes including warriors shooting bows & arrows and herders grazing cattle.
Later, head back to the camp for lunch and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 9: Transfer to Kidepo National Park, Narus Valley Game Safari
Today, you will set off for Kidepo Valley National Park, a true calling to the stunning wilderness. As you proceed, pass through the mountainous landscape of the Kotido region to reach one of Africa’s premier wilderness parks and arrive in time for lunch and relaxation.
After lunch, we get to explore the savannah plains on the floor of the Narus Valley, across a backdrop of the surrounding rugged hillsides.
This is an excellent time for a game safari as you look out for a variety of game herds, including Burchell’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, African buffalo, and Grant’s gazelle as you drive.
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 10: Kidepo Valley National Park, Mt. Morungole Hike / IK community.
Today, head out for a community visit to the Ik people on the top of Morungole Mountain. This is a long day, and it takes about 4 hrs to climb uphill to the community and 2 hrs to descend. Get immersed in the cultural experience as the people share their cultural activities. Here you will spend a wonderful evening with the Karamajong people and have an insight into their way of life and beliefs, traditions, and norms.
This is an opportunity to participate in the traditional dances and songs of the indigenous local people as well. You may decide on the Long Hike - 15km to Mt. Morungole, OR Partake in the Shorter Hike - 10 km to the Traditional Village Visit, Kidepo Valley Viewpoint.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 11: 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. Head to your accommodation for a late lunch and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Fort Murchison | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 12: 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 13:Murchison Falls to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary through Kichumbanyobo gate, reaching Masindi town and proceeding to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the home to Uganda's only population of rhinos.
Have lunch and thereafter seek out the rhinos living in the sanctuary. You will have a rhino trek over the grassland and through the African bush on foot with a ranger to visit the Southern White Rhinos. You will also get a briefing about the sanctuary and the other projects at the sanctuary
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 14: Shoebill Walk & Canoe Tour At Lugogo Swamp
Early morning breakfast and set off for Lugogo Swamp. At 06:00 am, you will drive for 45 minutes through the African Bush to reach the edge of the swamp where you will take a local motorized canoe gliding through the water in search of the rare and prehistoric-looking species, the Shoebill Stork.
The swamp has about 300 bird species, including the Malachite Kingfisher and Rufous-bellied Heron among others. Head back to the mainland, taking a walk along the swamp edge, giving you further opportunities for other bird species like the Black Crake and Common Squacco Heron before making the return drive back through the African bush. Evening Relaxation at the Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 15: Transfer back to Entebbe, onwards for your departure flight
Breakfast and then depart from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, passing through vast plains and passing some markets selling a variety of tropical fruits, arriving in the afternoon in Entebbe. Head to Papyrus Guest House for a refreshing moment and relaxation. In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home at the end of your Uganda Adventure Tour.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch