Country: Uganda
Destinations: Entebbe, Jinja, Mount Elgon National Park, Moroto and Kidepo Valley National Park
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja
Day 3: White water raftng experience on the Nile
Day 4: Transfer to Sipi Falls
Day 5: Sipi falls nature walk
Day 6: Transfer to Moroto for Karamojong cultural experience
Day 7: Nature Hike and visit the traditional “Kraal” in Moroto
Day 8: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 9: Game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 10: Game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 11: Transfer back to Entebbe
Day 12: Departure
Trip Overview
Join us on this epic 12 days adventure through one of the most spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda on this North Eastern Uganda safari circuit.
Unleash your adventurous spirit with this exclusive 12 day itinerary that takes you on an exhilarating journey through the untamed beauty of Uganda
Explore North-Eastern Uganda, as you cut across the northeast safari circuit and discover the real beauty of Uganda, meeting one of the most authentic and incredible people in their natural state. This tour is curated for those who are very interested in an authentic cultural, landscape and wildlife experience, blended with some part of nature touch. Northern Uganda and Eastern Uganda, has one of the rarest activities, and it’s one of the un-spoilt/ un-exploited regions of Uganda, that is still intact. This long Uganda northern circuit Safari experience, will make you discover the hidden secret beauty of northern Uganda. Get away from the crowd, and go a little and discover the hidden beauty of Uganda. You will enjoy this trip, as you will be patched with great treasure of real traditional Africa! From great water adventure, hikes, community visit, into game drives and wide life, spiced with mouthwatering tasty meals, you will have both your stomach, mind and soul well fed. It’s not the normal trip, but a life changing safari, crafted perfectly just for you.
From the towering Nile to the rare wildlife encounters in Kidepo valley National Park, this itinerary is designed to offer you an authentic and immersive experience of Uganda’s natural wonders and cultural treasures.
Days are as action-packed or as gentle as you prefer.
Trip Highlight.
- Wildlife game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park
- Karamojong cultural experience
- Sipi falls nature walk
- Karamojong Nyamatta home visit
- Endless wildlife experience
- Coffee tour experience
- Community cultural experience
- White water rafting in Jinja
- Optional activities in Jinja
- Cross country drive experience
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!
Day Itinerary
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, you will go through the immigration protocol and on getting done, as you exit the tunnel, your driver guide, will warmly welcome you to Uganda, and he will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to your booked accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Karibu Guest House Entebbe
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja (Source of the Nile). Journey time +3 hrs
Day Itinerary
Have a deluxe morning breakfast, and shortly be joined by your guide at 7.30 am, who will brief you shortly as you enjoy a cap of coffee, later get your bags packed, and jump into your 4D safari jeep, to get the safari started, through the city of Kampala, with is burning city life and find your way to Jinja.
Jinja lies on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 2 hours East from Kampala. This town is famous as the historic source of the river Nile and at the same time the adrenaline capital of East Africa. Besides enjoying peaceful sunsets, birdlife and tranquility, this is also where visitors get their adventurous fix. Enjoy activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing, quad biking, and mountain biking and horse riding. Jinja has a gorgeous natural setting with crumbling colonial architecture. With the arrival of British colonial rule in 1906 the town began to grow as a trading canter and important river crossing. These days Jinja has a vibrant downtown and broad leafy residential streets set next to the Nile River.
Shortly you will be in Jinja, and catch up with lunch. After lunch, we shall head for a boat ride, to explore the source of the Nile, later return, and have a drive through Jinja city, watch the old architecture and later return to your lodge, for relaxation.
Overnight stay at: The Haven Uganda
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3: True Nile white water rafting.
Day Itinerary
Today, the real adrenaline calls. Get out your comfort bed, take a cap off coffee, and we drive off for the great Nile white water rafting adventure. Today it is about having fun on water. You will start with a heavy breakfast, followed by a rafting briefing, learning more about some safety measures while on the water before you get into water. You may opt to book for a full day white water rafting which goes up to around 4 pm or just do a half white water rafting which goes up to around mid – day. The full day rafting gives you a total fun enjoyment on water, as you discover the great falls of the Nile. You end the rafting session with BBQ and drinks, before your driver guide, lead you back to your lodge.
Overnight stay at: The Haven Uganda
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Optional activities in Jinja
Today you can relax at the lodge or choose optional activities:
- White water rafting (full day USD 145 / half day USD 125)
- A horseback safari (USD 50 for 2 hours / USD 70 for 3 hours)
- Quad-biking (USD 70 for 2 hours / USD 90 for 3 hours)
- A day of whitewater kayaking on the river (USD 120)
- A sundowner cruise on the Nile (USD 35)
- A visit to Jinja market
- Bungee jumping on the Nile (80$)
Day 4: Transfer to Sipi Falls – Kapchorwa. Journey Time +6 hrs.
Day Itinerary
Wake up with your breakfast ready at the restaurant. Enjoy a moment of breakfast with your guide, later jump into your safari jeep as you get ready to explore the Eastern region as you find your way to Kapchorwa, land of great runners, world medalist and athletic record breakers, some of the best Arabica coffee in the world, fresh vegetables are grown here. Along the way, you will see numerous sugar cane plantations, rice and vegetable gardens. As you drive, you will start to notice a very flat topography, with great undulating landscape, but as you reach Mbale, turn to find your way to Kapchorwa, there is a change, the hilly nature surface, and on backdrop, you start to watch the beautiful waterfalls, and endless plains.
A drive through the north-eastern part of Uganda, to the foothills of Mt Elgon you reach a plateau 1800 m above sea level where the beautiful Sipi Falls are located. This green area has a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100 m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. There are three falls separated by steep hillsides. It is quite cool here compared to the other parts of Uganda with temperate weather conditions. You will relax and enjoy the fresh air and the calm environment away from city hustles and traffic. Abseiling, a coffee tour and community visits are some of the activities you can enjoy besides the hikes.
You will reach and relax at your lodge, have meals served and spend the evening at leisure. This is by far the most comfortable place to stay in the area. Within the picturesque setting you will experience the view on one of the Kapsurur Falls right from your veranda. This is where you will comfortably enjoy some garden-grown coffee (some of the best Arabica coffee in the world) and hopefully enjoy the magical sunsets this place is so famous for. The restaurant serves hearty home-style meals using local produce. The freshly baked bread and fresh fruits will trigger your taste buds at breakfast to get you ready for a wonderful day in the beautiful Sipi region!
Accommodation: Sipi Rafiki Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Sipi Falls hike, and community encounter.
Day Itinerary
Enjoy the perfect coffee, and prepare yourself for a beautiful day in paradise. The Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, forming a series of waterfalls – these culminate in a spectacular drop, which is surrounded by pretty walking trails and lush green hills. You can choose to go on a 3 hours or, for the super real adventurers, 6 hour hike through the region. Our local community guide will accompany you on your hike, as he takes you around his area of life. You can decide to only go for the nature and waterfall walk, but it is also possible to combine the tour with a coffee tour or cultural tour. Whichever you choose, you can be certain that you pass many waterfalls, plantations and caves. Local villagers will be sure to greet you with ‘Jambo!’ and beaming smiles. You will later return in the afternoon, dine and get lost into sleep. We call it a perfect day, well spent exercising the body, mind and soul. Out of your usual eye sights, as your eyes feed with nature and ears listen to beautiful sounds of waterfall, and melodies from the wilderness. An extraordinary feeling.
Overnight stay at: Sipi Rafiki Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Off to Morotto. The Cradle land. Journey Time +5 hrs.
Day Itinerary
Have a relaxed breakfast, and by 7:30 am, you drive down the foothills of Mount Elgon and find your way to Morotto, through Tororo. Moroto Town is the heart of the Karamoja area for your cultural activities tomorrow. You will catch up with lunch, relax and then head off for a cultural experience in the afternoon to have a test of the Karamojong culture. You can as well shop a blend of traditional customs and local materials with a modern touch. Your time here brings you a unique experience of heritage, comfort and hospitality during a safari through Uganda’s untouched northeast. You will enjoy a moment of true African experience, and total wilderness. You’re lost into total nature blended with culture.
Overnight stay at: Karamoja Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7: Nature Hike and visit the traditional “Kraal”
Day Itinerary
Have your breakfast, and get ready to meet some of the amazing people in the world, get to learn about a new culture, and old age, African ways of life. One of these examples is Karamoja; an area in North-Eastern Uganda where you can learn about traditional life of the Karamojong, the most traditional tribe still living in Uganda. In the early morning you leave for a scenic nature walk through the valley of Mount Moroto, the highest mountain of Karamoja. During the walk we will set camp at a traditional village of the So Tepeth mountain people.
After this, you’ll meet the Karamajong living in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns. These are put up to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rival tribes and wild animals. Some of the Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily for when they tail the fresh grass to feed the cattle.
The Karamajong are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live a similar lifestyle. The main difference is that the Karamajong is completely unknown and you are therefore sure to experience a very authentic and memorable visit. Tonight you’ll again stay at Karamoja Safari Camp, or you can choose to camp in the Kraal. We are taking you, to the routes, where life began.
Overnight stay at: Karamoja Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Optional activity: Night in the Kraal
Spending a night in the Karamojong Kraal is an unforgettable experience. You will participate with the lifestyle and daily activities of the cattle herding Karamojong rather than sight-seeing. Endless singing and dancing around the campfire at night, preparing local foods together and sipping the local brewed beer (if you are feeling adventurous). Your accommodation might not be as comfortable as in the lodges but the incredible experience definitely makes up for that.
The additional cost for this optional activity is $30 per person
Day 8: To Kidepo National Park. Journey Time +5 hrs.
Day Itinerary
In the morning, you can still enjoy this unique opportunity to spend more time with the Karamojong tribe. After this thrilling experience it is time to travel to the most remote and pristine national park in the country: Kidepo Valley National Park. The most beautiful pristine Uganda National Park.
In the rugged semi-arid valleys in the extreme northeast of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park lies hidden away in a lost and not frequently visited corner between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. It is a long but very rewarding journey to get to this area with some of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda. You’ll experience an afternoon game drive in the wild Narus valley where herds of elephants and buffalo’s as well as beautiful sights of lions, cheetahs and leopards sitting on various valley rocks can be spotted.
You visit and stay here, will be one of the best tour choices, you have ever made. You’re just in one of the silent places on earth, where all you can hear, are the nature calls.
Overnight stay at: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9: Safari in the hearts of Kidepo Valley National Park
Day Itinerary
Following breakfast, you will head for an incredible game drive and walking safari in Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can do a walking safari. An armed ranger is joining you for your safety and you will explore the wilderness on foot. During this activity you get the chance to experience the wildlife up-close, a totally different experience than game-viewing by car. Buffalo, water buck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck and of course the naughty baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. The guide stops regularly, not merely searching for game, but telling you about birds, insects, trees, animal droppings, the medicinal use of plants and which animals eat which plants. You will later return to your lodge for hot lunch. In the afternoon you will go for another game drive in this amazing national park. The savannah is ringed by mountains and rocky ridges. It has a profusion of big game and hosts 475 bird species and over 80 mammal species, of which 28 were not known to occur (or very rarely) in any other Ugandan park. For example; ostriches, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, caracals, cheetahs, and greater and lesser kudus. Kidepo Valley National Park ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses and is ranked No. 3 on the CNN list of CNN of best national parks in Africa. Let’s try to get that famous lion king picture of a lion on a rock before you’ll spend another night at Kidepo Savannah Lodge. After an exciting day out, come back to the sun-downer camp, sip on a gin and tonic while enjoying a sunset, from your camp balcony.
Overnight stay at: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10: Safari in the hearts of Kidepo Valley National Park
Day Itinerary
Today, you still have more days in Kidepo. You will still continue with more safari game drives to explore the vast Kidepo Valley National Park. In the evening, you will take on a night game drive in search of the nocturnal, and porcupines are one of the commonly sighted animals, alongside leopards.
Overnight stay at: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11: Transfer back to Entebbe. Journey Time +8hrs.
Day Itinerary
Having early breakfast at the lodge, as today, will mark our final day of our adventure as time has come to head back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport). You will have a wonderful ride on the way back, via Lira/ Gulu. We shall later proceed to Kampala and make a stopover at the best place for your souvenir shopping.
Your driver/guide will take you to your accommodation in Entebbe for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay at: Karibu Guest House Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12: Departure
Day Itinerary
Today, our wonderful 12 days north Eastern Uganda Safari circuit, comes to an end sadly!
Have a relaxed morning breakfast (in case of evening flight, an optional excursion to Mabamba swamp for shoe-bill watching, UWEC Zoo for wildlife experience can be arranged), you will meet your guide, who will transfer you to Entebbe Airport for your morning flight back home. End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast only
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof for game vieiwing
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Safari game drives as mentioned
- Karamojong Cultural experience
- En-route lunches
- White water rafting on the Nile
- Park entrance fees
- Sipi falls hike
- Coffee tour
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- Bottles of mineral water during safari
- Endless wildlife encounter
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips & gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations
- Health test requirements
- Porter fees while trekking
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari