7 Days Exploration of Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Park

We assume you will arrive in Entebbe/Kampala a day before the start of this thrilling safari or your arrival time at Entebbe will be before 15: 00 hours. You will therefore travel to Jinja where it's planned that you visit the Source of the Nile in Jinja. It is intended that you spot where the Nile waters start to flow out of Lake Victoria. This will be done while having a boat ride along the waters of the Nile River Enroute to Jinja you will go through Mabira Forest-the largest natural forest in central Uganda.

After breakfast, you will proceed with your safari by driving to Kapchorwa to explore the environs of Mt. Elgon and hikeSipi Falls. You will enjoy the beauty and scenery of the flow of the falls. You will also sight fauna and different floral species including Elgonensis lobelia and dotted clusters of peculiar groundsels during the sipi falls hike.

The third day of this Safari will be spent traversing the vast plains and semi-arid savannah of North Eastern Uganda with a motive of reaching Kidepo Valley National Park. Observing that this is quite a long journey, you will reach the park in the evening and spend your night at Kidepo Savanna Lodge. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the wildest and most spectacular reserves in Africa with a landscape of small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs. The temperatures in Kidepo are usually high, and this will certainly give you a good taste of adventure! While in Kidepo you can get stunning panoramic views of the Narus River Valley and wildlife such as Elephants, herds of Buffaloes, Jackals, Jackson’s Hartebeest, and Klipspringer among others. The park is renowned for its exceptional variety of birds of prey. While there it is likely that you can spot Ostriches, Kori Bustards, Pygmy Falcons, Verreaux’s Eagles, Egyptian Vultures, Abyssinian ground Hornbills among others.

After breakfast, you will go for a game drive to explore the park and during the game drive; you’re likely to see several animals including Elephants, herds of Buffaloes, Jackals, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Klipspringer and possibly Lions, the cheetahs and other lower grassland mammals. The landscape throughout Kidepo Valley national park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions enjoying panoramic views of the Narus River Valley and photographic opportunities of wildlife from all corners. In the afternoon, you will have a cultural experience that brings you into close contact with the Karamojong people by visiting one of the homesteads. You will meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them. From here, you’re able to see the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items.

You will travel from Kidepo Valley on this day and head southwards to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park and is a home to over 400 birds’ species. The park is also endowed with several attractions including mammal species with four members of the big five, the lion, the leopards, the elephants, and the Buffaloes. Other species include bushbucks, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs, giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, hyenas, hippos and crocodiles among other resident creatures. You will drive through the flat scenic landscape with local villages while enjoying the Ugandan countryside. You will arrive at Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon and check in at your lodge.

After breakfast, you will go for a game drive in Murchison Falls national park. On the broad savannah, you will search for big cats, Elephants, Giraffes, Buffalos, and many more as the checklist of mammals reaches 76. You will continue browsing the circuits to the delta point for a cocktail of birds and mammals. In the afternoon, you will go for the 14:00hrs boat ride on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls where you get to see the Hippos yawning, Grooming in their Pods, Nile Crocodiles, Elephants and a variety of beautiful bird species along the banks. If you are a keen birder this might be your opportunity to see various birds’ species. After reaching at the base of the falls, you will jump off the boat and take a 30 minutes hike to the top of the falls. The hike gives you an opportunity to see the falls at a close range where you see water gushing through a narrow crevice before the Nile continues its journey towards the Mediterranean.

After a relaxed breakfast, we will set off for our drive to Entebbe. However, we will first have a detour visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary first to experience life with the white rhinos. We will be looking out for moments as Rhinos charge and use their prized horns to dig the ground and as well break tree branches. Rhinos are endangered species and not easily found in plenty like at this sanctuary! Brace yourself for this activity and keep your camera close for those moments to take photographs. After tracking the rhinos, you will embark on your drive to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight back home or to your next destination.