This 12 Days Eastern Ugandan Cultural Encounter gives you an opportunity to visit the authentic and unbeaten tracts of the pearl of Africa! visiting three destinations, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Piane-Upe Wildlife reserve for game experiences, the Karamoja and Sebei regions await you with Authentic cultural experiences
DAY BY DAY ACTIVITIES
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive Entebbe international airport, you will meet and greet with our representative who will then transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Distance: Approx. 10 Kms, 15 Minutes’ Drive
Meals Plan: None
Accommodation: Boma Guest House
Day 2: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with Rhino tracking at Ziwa and lunch en-route.
The drive northwards will take you via Luweero to Nakasongola and after tracking the rhinos you will continue to Murchison Falls National park one of the oldest parks in Uganda. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 Murchison Falls Park is located in the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley Hosting over 76 species of mammals and 451 species of birds. It is also bisected by the Victoria Nile which 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the spectacular Murchison Falls. The river offers a great opportunity for a game drive and the regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes and buffaloes, while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.
Distance: Approx. 350 Kms, 6 hours’ Drive
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise
Early morning game drive in the park searching for the animals, major species likely to be sited on the game drive includes elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, kobs, and on a lucky day even a lion can be sited. After lunch go for an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of falls where you will disembark and take a hike to the top of falls, this is a rewarding adventure as the hike is relatives and takes you along the water fall through a forested hill with great views of the waterfalls.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park
This day starts with a morning breakfast and drive to Kidepo Valley National Park, the drive North-Eastwards will take through the country side of mostly Ugandan less developed villages via Gulu – Kitgum and eventually the Karamojong land and check in at your lodge for an overnight. If you arrive early enough time permitting you will go for an evening game drive.
Distance: Approx. 350 Kms, 7 hours’ Drive
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Savannah Lodge
Day 5: Kidepo Valley
Set out at 6m in the morning for game drive in the Narus Valley, the Narus valley has the high concentration of animals in the park as it is drained by the Narus River which is source of water the wildlife. Drive on the tracks searching for wildlife game including Elephants, Kidepo has the highest concentrating of Elephants in Uganda, Bush Duikers, Buffaloes, Hartebeests and lucky you will spot the Kavirondo Bush baby, Jackal, Leopard and Lions sitting on some of the rocks in the valley.
In the afternoon visit the Karamojong local community for a cultural experience, visit the cattle-herding Karamojong community in Lorokul. You will experience the unique culture of the Karamojong with the Lorokul Cultural group which is located on the outskirts of Kidepo National Park. Learn about their livelihood of cattle herding, social cultural and traditional lifestyle, you may even meet the Karamojongg King who will narrate to you the folklore and beliefs of their tribe.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Savannah Lodge
Day 6: Kidepo Valley National Park to Moroto
Morning game drives in the Park en-route out of the park as you transfer to Moroto in the heart of Karamoja. The drive is on murram remote roads with lots of views of the undeveloped country side of the eastern Uganda and the Karamojong region in particular
Distance: Approx. 250 Kms, 5 hours’ Drive
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Day 7: Karamojong Cultural Experience
The day of Karamojong cultural experience will start with a visit to the Karamojong village for a village walk and end in the evening with Kraal visit. This is a participatory experience were you will be introduced to the daily lifestyle of the Karamojong people; from preparing local foods to celebrations with traditional folklore, this will be an unforgettable journey. You will learn these peoples’ tradition as you listen to the stories of elders and play traditional Karamojong games with them.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Day 8: Piane-Upe Wildlife Reserve
Morning drive to Piane-Upe Wildlife reserve, for game drives off the beaten tracks in this amazing reserve. Located in the volcanic region of Mountain Napak, it anciently used to be a battle ground for Karamojong pastoralists. Among the animals you expect to encounter include cheetahs, leopards and lions on a lucky day, Giraffes, Elands, Zebras, herds of Cape buffalo duikers, mountain reedbucks among others. Continue the drive to Sipi where you will spend an overnight.
Distance: Approx. 170 Kms, 4 hours’ Drive
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge
Day 9: Sipi Falls
A full day hiking experience to the three falls on river Sipi, this is an adventure experience on the slope of mountain Elgon. On this experience you will follow wondering trails through local communities, coffee and banana plantations to the roaring water falls of the Sipi River, you will have magnificent views of the Karamoja plains and the slope of mountain Elgon. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge while sipping Arabica coffee from the source. The slope of mountain Elgon are believed to grow the best coffee in the country.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge
Day 10: Sipi Falls to the source of the Nile
In the morning head up for a coffee experience, you will trace the history of coffee right from the farm, visit a local farmer’s plantation and learn about the plantation from seed and the role the people play in the growth of coffee. You will also visit a local processing plant and experience how the green beans are processed before packing for export. You will then return to the lodge for a participatory experience of how coffee is brewed locally and cupping experience before embarking on the drive to Jinja once a major industrial town of Uganda. Visit the source of the Nile with a boat before heading to the lodge for an overnight.
Distance: Approx. 200 Kms, 4 hours’ Drive
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: The Haven Eco Lodge
Day 11: Free day for Relaxation
This is a day for you to relax by the banks of River Nile the longest river in Africa, the water of the Nile goes en-route for 90 Days from Jinja at the source to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt at port Alexandra. Yu may choose to take optional adventures on the Nile like; white water rafting, boat ride, fishing, horseback riding or quad biking in the communities.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: The Haven Eco Lodge
Day 12: Jinja to Entebbe and Departure
Your eastern Uganda experience combining wildlife and culture has finally come to an end, transfer back to Entebbe airport arriving in time to checking for your departure flight back home.
Distance: Approx. 155 Kms, 3 hours’ Drive
Meals Plan: Breakfast, and Lunch
Accommodation: None
End of Safari.
Unbeaten tracts of the pearl of Africa! visiting three destinations, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Piane-Upe Wildlife reserve for game experiences, the Karamoja and Sebei regions await you with Authentic cultural experiences.
Inclusions
- Accommodation at lodges and hotels mentioned in the itinerary or equivalent based on availability
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary, Bed and Breakfast in Entebbe while fullboard on safari
- Transfers in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle with services of an experienced professional English speaking Driver-guide
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives
- Ziwa Rhino Walk
- Launch Cruise to the bottom of falls
- Lorukol Cultural Experience
- Karamoja village walk
- Kraal visit
- Sipi falls hike
- Coffee experience
- Visit the source of the Nile by boat