The 12 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Wildlife Safari Cultural Tour is a unique tour that opens you to the virgin wilderness of Kidepo National Park where the game is alive and enchanting in its natural environment including the cheetah which only exists in Kidepo for the case of Uganda, other wildlife like lions, buffalo, antelopes, the endemic Kavirondo bush baby all exist in Kidepo. The River Nile adventure opens you to white water rafting, bungee jumping and a relaxing boat cruise to the source of the Nile. Encounters in Murchison falls National Park – the largest Savannah park in Uganda involves a rewarding game drive and a Nile boat cruise that will expose you to typical African game and the rare birds like the shoe-bill stork. The Murchison falls could be your greatest scenic wonder you will ever have. The primate encounter in Kibale National Park gives a blend of the West African jungle and the East African Savannah.
You will wake up early for breakfast at your place of stay after which you will be transferred by your guide to Jinja 80km about 1-2 hours’ drive from Kampala. Upon reaching Jinja – the adventure town of Uganda, you will enroll yourself for the white water rafting experience that will see you contain the strength of waters of the Nile as they splash through the rapids. You will also participate in the bungee jumping that will see you fall from the cliff to touch on the waters of the Nile 140ft below – one of the active adventures you will ever have. The relaxing boat cruise to the source of the Nile will take you to the point where John Speke, the first European to see the source of the world’s longest river stood. You will see the Nile starting it 90 days journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Retreat to Kampala for overnight.
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Mid-range/standard) or the lodge (Budget/basic).
After breakfast, embark on the journey to the north accompanied by your guide. You will drive through the flat range lands of Nakasongora and continue to cross the mighty Karuma falls on River Nile. The journey takes you through Gulu and then rest for overnight in Kitgum.
Accommodation: Fuglys guesthouse Kitgum
Continue on the journey to Kidepo after breakfast. You will arrive early for lunch after which you will embark on the game drive in the evening in the Narus valley. The sights of wildlife grazing in the valley are very interesting and buffaloes, zebras, antelopes might not be missed.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Ng’moru Wilderness (Mid-range/standard) or Apoka rest Camp (Budget/basic)
Wake for an early morning breakfast, and then set off for a game drive to encounter early risers and predators before they disappear from sight. Have opportunity to view real African game including; lion, elephants, giraffe, eland, oribi, Zebra, cheetah among others though not wholesomely guaranteed as they are wild animals alongside a number of bird species like Ostrich and other endemics. Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. Take a community walk through the Karamajong villages in the afternoon
Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.
This day is designed to help you encounter the indigenous Karamojong who dwell in the slopes of Morungole Mountains. You will spend much of your day hiking outside the park, viewing the amazing landscapes of the north eastern corner of Uganda franked by the cross border landscapes of Kenya and South Sudan. The day is a perfect off the beaten track adventure and will enrich your experience on how people have managed to thrive in this semi-arid climate for centuries past without even modern irrigation practices.
Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.
After breakfast, transfer on the surface drive to Murchison falls National Park passing through the flat open grasslands of northern Uganda as you wonder over the traditional home steads and their architecture that lie scattered in a vast landscape. The remains of the LRA rebel activities still stand as you will see the once flourishing trading centers now standing in ruins. Arrive in Murchison falls in the afternoon for relaxation and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) Murchison River Lodge (Mid-range/Budget) or Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Wake up very early for a cup of coffee and then head to Paraa ferry crossing at 7:00am to the northern sector of the Park where game drives are carried out. The possible sights of various wildlife including; elephants, buffalo, Jackson hartebeest, Kobs, lion, leopard, giraffe among other wildlife will leave you with a taste of African Savannah wilderness. The activity takes 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the Paraa ferry crossing at 11:00am to go back to your lodge for relaxation and memory sharing. After your stimulating lunch, gather at the Paraa for an after boat cruise on the Nile at 02:00pm. This boat trip has got captains and guides who have cruised on this waters for years and will be glad to share with every piece of information that you would wish to gather on this trip including any bird species and wildlife both aquatic and land that might present its self. The shoe-bill stork can be luckily seen on this boat while the great sights of Nile crocodiles – the second largest reptile in the world and the Hippos would make up your trip up to the base of the falls. The boat takes 3 hours after which you will have marked the end of your day’s adventures.
After a relaxed breakfast, you will hike the top of the falls to marvel at this natural feature that the creator bestowed on the Nile. It is the whole River Nile – the longest in the world forcing its self to forge a way through an 8m gorge after which it falls 43m below what has been termed as the Devils Cauldron. It forms a plume of spray that results into a trademark rainbow amidst a great roaring sound. It is one of features to once note down in your travel review. You can choose to have your picnic lunch from there and take as many photos as your camera film can allow. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing at your lodge or you can choose to do either a Rabongo forest walk or community tour.
Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.
The drive to Kibale National Park is not an ordinary journey; it involves driving through the lush country side dotted by amazing features of earth movements including the Albertine rift valley. The farmed landscapes bring out the typical African villages that you have always heard of or wished to see on your safari like this safari in Uganda. Kibale is 441km about 9 hours’ drive from Murchison Falls National Park. The lunch stop will be made in Hoima town dubbed the oil city and continuous drive will see you arrive in Fort Portal and Kibale in particular in the evening overlooking the mystical Ruwenzori Mountains famously known as the mountains of the moon.
Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Chimpanzee guesthouse (Midrange/standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at Kanyanchu tourism center at 08:00am for a short briefing after which you will head to the forest in quest of Chimpanzees – man’s closest relative. The trek involves passing through the jungle of Kibale dubbed the primate capital of the world with over 13 species of primates some of which you will luckily come across during your Chimpanzee trekking including colobus monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, Red tailed monkey among others. The enchanting songs of Birds will keep you entertained in this 2 – 5 hour trek. One full hour is at your disposal to explore the Chimpanzees in detail and ascertain the external considerations as to why they are dubbed man’s close relative. Watch the as they eat fruits, play, socialize and swing in tree branches as you take as many photos as you can. Return to the center after having had your picnic lunch. Encounter Bigodi wetland sanctuary in the afternoon to take the rewarding swamp walk with amazing bird sights including the Rwenzori Turaco and swamp animals like Sitatunga. The communities around Bigodi offer a close touch of tourist – host interaction.
Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.
After breakfast drive through Fort Portal town heading for the Crater Lake hike and Amabere caves walk. You will first visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves an ancient landmark with a lot of historical and cultural significance to the local people as it dates from the Chwezi era. Geographically, the caves are breast like features of stalagmites and stalactites with the seasonal Nyakasura water falls falling from their roof top. It is a great sight to encounter on Uganda safari. Continue to hike the crater lakes by hiking the famous Kyeganywa hill to gain the surrounding view of various crater lakes and hollows plus the overlooking views of Ruwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation: Kyaninga lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Mountains of the moon hotel (Mid-range/standard) or Rwenzori guest house (Budget/basic).
After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kampala 300km about 6 – 7 hours’ drive. You will pass through the forested views surrounding Kibale forest plus the swamps and marshes that characterize this wet region of Uganda. The journey breaks at Mubende town where you will branch off a little to visit the Nakayima tree, an ancient tree with a rich Chwezi background. The locals attach a lot of cultural and religious significance to this site and thus it is used as a shrine. Lunch in Mubende town and continue on the journey to Kampala to arrive in the afternoon.
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