14 Days Off The Beaten Track Safari

The 14 Days Off The Beaten-Track Safari explores the secrets of the East and Northern parts of Uganda.  Start off with a stopover at Sipi Falls, explore the savannah of Pian Upe, a cheetah habitat, then continue to seek out the Big 5 in Uganda’s Savannah’s park of Kidepo Valley from the Karamojong plains, stretching till the far horizon, immerse yourself in culture, adrenaline activities, history, explore the magnificent Murchison Falls and visit Lake Albert Kabowya Wildlife Reserve.  

Safari Highlights of 14 Days Off The Beaten Track Safari 

• Sipi Falls Hike and Coffee Tour
• Game safari in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve 
• Manyatta Experience in Karamoja plains.
• Rock paintings and Karamoja Cultural Museum
• Kidepo Valley National Park with sprawling savannah wildlife scenes and soaring mountains
• Big 5 game safari and Boat cruise to the bottom of the falls at Murchison Falls NP
• Lake Albert – Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve

Itinerary for the 14 Days Off The Beaten Track Safari 

Day 1: Arrival

Upon your arrival in Entebbe, you will be picked up by a company representative and transferred to your hotel at the start of your 14 Days Off The Beaten Track Safari.

 Accommodation at the Boma Guest House.

Day 2: To  Sipi Falls- Coffee tour

After breakfast, head out towards Tororo, with a stopover to observe the Tororo Rock, a prominent rock that rises 300 meters above the surrounding plains. We proceed to Mbale, a charming town at the foot of Mount Elgon.

This area is full of rich heritage and fascinating culture. We will have a lunch stop at Mbale and with beautiful viewpoints on our way we will reach Sipi Village, nestled between mountains and waterfalls.   After lunch, you will have a village coffee tour learning how coffee is processed from the seed to the cup.

Accommodation and Meals at Sipi River Lodge

Day 3: Sipi Falls- Hiking to the waterfalls

After breakfast, take a hike to the lovely Sipi Falls. Take a nature walk to the bottom of the famous waterfall, then continue with a steep climb to a series of caves. As you follow the challenging trail to the other waterfalls, you will pass maize fields, banana plantations, and typical bandas.

Cool off with a natural shower and enjoy the breathtaking views over the valley. Look out for the magnificent sunset as you relax as the sun goes down over the plains of Eastern Uganda. Later relaxation at the Lodge or you may partake in the optional abseiling down the mountain, along the famous Sipi Falls. Accommodation and Meals at Sipi River Lodge

Day 4: To Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Today you will transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and discover the plains of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve that comprise wilderness and rolling savannah plains, dotted with acacia woodlands and punctuated by weathered rock formations with a backdrop of Mount Kadam and Mount Napak.

Have a picnic lunch and thereafter explore the small network of wildlife tracks look out for the Roan antelope which is only found here, oribi, klipspringer, hyaenas, ostriches, and leopards, impala, Jackson’s hartebeest, Rothschild giraffes. Look out for the Cheetahs as well,  this is the best place in Uganda to seek out these graceful cats! Later proceed to Karamoja Safari Camp. 

Day 5:  Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve – Moroto

After breakfast, head out for another game safari 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. Accommodation and Meals at Karamoja Safari Camp.

Day 6: Manyatta Experience and Karamoja Museum 

After breakfast, you will head out for a visit to Manyatta Experience in Karamoja plains. Learn more about the way of life of the local community by visiting a traditional Manyatta homestead. You will get to participate in some of the local community activities.

This local interaction is an unforgettable experience as you learn how to prepare local meals, the songs and dance of traditional folklore, make some crafts from the traditional Karamojong beads, listen to elders’ traditional stories, and play some traditional Karamojong games. 

After lunch, you will also visit the Karamoja Cultural Museum situated at the foot of Mount Moroto which is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the Karamoja region.

Get to observe the exhibits of the fossils from the prehistory of Karamoja, artifacts from the colonial and pre-colonial history of the region, as well as memorabilia and implements of everyday life from the communities that live in the region. Later head back to the camp for lunch and relaxation. Accommodation and Meals at Karamoja Safari Camp

Day 7: To Kidepo National Park Narus Valley  Game Safari 

Today you will set off for Kidepo Valley National Park passing through Kotido and Kaabong districts. Kidepo is in the northeastern corner of Uganda and has a true calling to the stunning wilderness. As you proceed you will pass through the mountainous landscape as you drive through the Kotido region to reach one of Africa’s premier wilderness parks arriving 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 ostrich found in the region.  It’s also the best place to look out for cheetahs. Later head back to your camp. Accommodation and Meals at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.  

Day 8:  Kidepo Valley Park  Nature Walk and Community Visit

Today head out to the savannah plains in the heart of the Narus Valley where you will be joined by a Wildlife Authority ranger for your walking safari. This is a great way to immerse yourself in wildlife to truly experience this unique savannah by getting up close and personal with nature.  Your ranger will help you track animals on foot in the savannah plains, explaining more about the park and its biodiversity and history. Lookout for game herds including the Burchell’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, Grant’s gazelle, and Rothschild’s giraffe. 

In the evening, you will have a community visit to the Ik people on the top of Morungole Mountain. 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.

Accommodation and Meals at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.

Day 9: Transfer from 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 heading to your accommodation for relaxation.

Accommodation and Meals at Fort Murchison.

 Day 10:   Game Safari and  Boat Cruise 

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 kob, warthog, and waterbuck and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the elusive leopard!  Get to stop over 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 waterfall.  As you meander upstream passing hippos 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 Northern-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.

Accommodation and Meals at Fort Murchison.

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 out on an expedition for fossils that have existed for generations in the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve.  Accommodation and Meals at Lake Albert Safari Lodge

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, bushbabies, civets, and also warthog, bushbuck, and waterbucks that continue their feeding activities throughout the night.

Accommodation and Meals at Lake Albert Safari Lodge

Day 13: Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve – Entebbe 

Breakfast and then depart for Entebbe passing through vast plains and passing some markets selling a variety of tropical fruits arriving in the early afternoon. Head to Boma Guest House for a late lunch and relaxation. Accommodation at the Boma Guest House.

Day 14: Departure

Today you will set off for the airport for your onward flight back home.

Included in the Off The Beaten Track Safari

• Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel
• Mineral water in the vehicle,
• Services of an English speaking Driver/guide,
• Accommodations mentioned in the itinerary,
• Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner),
• All Park Entrance Fees,
• All activities mentioned in the itinerary
• Ferry or boat crossing fees where applicable.

• International Airfares; Excess baggage charges;
• Ugandan Entry Visa Fees
• International travel Vaccinations and Inoculations;
• Items of personal nature such as Room service,
• Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.;
• Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips, and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff,
• Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts,
• International Airport Departure Taxes,
• Optional activities unless specified as included,
• Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.