Eastern Uganda is one of the less visited regions of the country despite having a fair share of natural attractions worth attention. For example Kidepo valley National park offers the best wilderness experience with rewarding sightings of animals and birds. The park is famous for huge Buffalo herds and conspicuous predators. The tour also explores River Nile in Jinja and Sipi falls at the foot of Mount Elgon.
Day 1 : Arrival in Uganda
Today you will arrive at Entebbe airport and you will be welcomed by your safari guide. Depending on your time of arrival, you may have an optional city tour of Entebbe town. Entebbe was the
colonialists’ administrative center and has many buildings that date over half a century ago. The name Entebbe means “the chair” in Luganda, which is the local language of the area. You may
also choose to visit Entebbe botanical gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education centre (Entebbe Zoo).
Day 2: Drive to Jinja, optional water rafting, city tour
Jinja town is best known for the source of the Nile where the river starts its 4000-mile journey to the Mediterranean from Lake Victoria. You will bypass numerous sugarcane plantations and also
drive through Mabira forest – the largest natural forest in Uganda. In Jinja you may have an optional half day water rafting on River Nile in the morning. In the afternoon you will take a boat
ride to the source of the Nile point and also have a tour around the town.
Day 3: Drive to Mbale; visit Sipi falls and take a coffee tour
After an early breakfast, depart for Kapchorwa and proceed to Sipi falls. You shall have a nature walk to the Sipi falls. These are a series of 3 waterfalls. You shall walk to the base of the falls
and relax while taking a dip in the cool water of the falls, located at the base of Mt Elgon. Mount Elgon itself is a 4,321m high extinct volcano which in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro.
In the afternoon you will take a community visit around the area which will be centred on coffee growing and processing. In Mount Elgon area, coffee is the major cash crop grown. The community tour will
expose you to local methods of coffee growing, management and processing.
Day 4: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park
Today you will start the long drive from Elgon region northward to Kidepo Valley National park. Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species as well
as around 475 bird species. Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses with a picturesque savannah landscape extending far beyond the gazetted area. Depending on your time of arrival, you may have a
short game drive in the park.
Day 5: Extensive Game drive to the Hot springs
You will carry a parked lunch and with the company of a ranger guide, start your search for the animals and birds of Kidepo. The park ranger will help you spot many animals and lions that may be sitting on
the valley’s various rocks. The game drive will traverse open plains that extend past Kanangorok Hot Springs towards mountains across the Sudanese border. This is the part of the park where ostriches are most
commonly seen. At the hot springs you will take a brief walk to observe and photograph.
Day 6: Morning nature walk and afternoon community visit
Kidepo valley national park offers a range of nature walks depending on your strength or preference. Shorter guided walks of around two hours can be taken through the Narus Valley extending over a 5km radius
from Apoka Tourism Centre. In the afternoon you will take a visit to a willing community of Karimojong. Discover the unique culture of this remote tribe just outside the Park. Learn how the villagers make their
distinctive beads, sample the local cuisine, and even learn the tribe’s folklore and beliefs.
Day 7: Drive to Entebe
Early in the morning you will depart from Kidepo valley and drive for the whole day to Entebbe or your next tour destination in Uganda. You will be dropped at the airport of any other preferred place as you conclude the tour.
Included:
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water
Excluded:
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees