8-DAYS WILDLIFE & CULTURAL SAFARI TO EASTERN UGANDAN

Breakfast will be served early and embark on a journey to Kidepo valley national park. This is 3-4 hours’ drive with eye-catching sites along the way including the manyatta (small grass thatched houses) and the scenic views of the hills which separate the lands of Acholi and Karamoja.

You will cross the Season Rivers and arrive Kidepo valley in lunch time and an evening game drive in the Narus valley. Narus valley is known to possess the largest buffalo herds than anywhere else in the entire world. There are also high chances of spotting big cats on a hunt and on a lucky day, you may spot the rare cheetahs too which are endemic to Kidepo valley in the whole of Uganda. Head back to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight at Mara Safari Lodge

After breakfast early in the morning embark on the morning game drive to explore what Kidepo valley has in store for us. Kidepo valley National Park is an opportunity for a popular Ugandan safari game drive, viewing with a wide range of game. The Karamoja region has in excess of 80 mammal species and travelers on safari into Kidepo valley national park have high opportunities of spotting a wide range of them. 28 of the mammal species are endemic to only the Karamoja region in Uganda and much Kidepo valley is a flat terrain with scenic undulating hills scattered in a few spots. The vegetation is eye- catching grasslands and savannas that spread into the horizons beyond the eyes can see. The natural conditions make spotting game less bothersome and game viewing safaris are highly successful. Within the game view zone around 6 am to have opportunities of spotting nocturnal wildlife species and interact with game when very active in the coldness of the morning.

Late in the afternoon after relaxation try out our luck to find out more wildlife, within the same zone by 4pm for the evening game drive viewing safaris and catch winding up the activities of the day. Picking up a ranger guide at Apoka tourism center maximizes opportunities of wildlife sighting since the ranger guides are conversant with wildlife habitats and monitor movements. There is relative calm in entire of Uganda and wildlife species statistics are on the upper trend. Safari lovers to Kidepo have the opportunity to spot amongst others; lions, leopards, cheetah, mane less Zebras, kudus, buffaloes, oryx, gazelle, elephants, giraffes, elands, striped hyenas, jackals, zebras and reedbucks, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, duikers and many others.

Overnight at Mara Safari lodge

Early in the morning after your last breakfast in the savanna plains of Kidepo valley, head out to Moroto for the alluring Karamoja cultural tour to learn about the way of life. The Karamojong is an indigenous community inhabiting the Karamoja region. The Karamojong traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle roaming the vast plains of Karamoja with large herds of livestock; cattle, sheep, goats and chicken, dogs are important in a Karamojong homestead; manyatta for they alert the family of intruding wildlife is species. The Karamojong take pride in their livestock. The size of the herd is a symbol of wealth and social status. In the African traditional lifestyle setting where there was no currency, livestock was a medium of setting social as well as business transactions. The Karamojong nomads and wildlife coexisted in the Karamojong region, their livestock grazing on the side of herbivores and share watering holes. In the past Karamojong violently raided the neighboring communities’ livestock to increase the size of their herds. The raids have subsided with sensitization about dangers of their violence and arms’ embargo in the Karamojong region.  The Karamojong settled in permanent homes but still hold their traditional customs and cultural beliefs in high esteem. Travelers on tour into Uganda often visit the Karamojong manyatta to share life experience, learn about the survival games in the wilderness and explore authentic lifestyle of an indigenous African community.

This cultural tour takes you off the beaten path into the African cultural diversity.

Overnight at Karamoja Safari camp

After breakfast, we will travel from Kara Tunga in Moroto district after learning about the Karamojong culture. Arrive at Kos Camp during lunch time, check inn for hot lunch and relaxation.

Late in the afternoon embark on a sunset safari in Pain Upe wildlife reserve to spot out the rare Roan Antelopes, ostriches and large herds of Elands and watch the sun set over the wide savanna plains of the wildlife reserve with mount Kadam in the surrounding. Later drive back to the lodge for dinner.

Main destination; Pain Upe Wildlife Reserve (highlight safari)

Overnight at Kos Camp

After an early breakfast, you will drive south of Pain Upe wildlife to Sipi falls. You will check in at the lodge and after you will briefed about the hike and meet the local guide that will take you through the hike to the 3 waterfalls, the height of the waterfalls is 100m, 85m and 75m. You will start with the highest water embark on a nature walk in the lower Elgon region. Your guide will prepare you for the adrenaline- triggering activity, abseiling. After this activity, you head back to the lodge have lunch and relax , late in the afternoon embark on a unique coffee experience to test from coffee plantation direct to cup testing the best Ugandan coffee from the volcanic slopes of mount Elgon.

As the sun kisses the sky, set off for the sunset experience overlooking the vast savanna plains of pain Upe and Lake Kyoga on a distance.

Main destination: Sipi falls (highlight)

Overnight at Rafiki Sipi lodge

After a hearty breakfast overlooking the magical Sipi falls, check out and drive through the captivating landscapes to Jinja- the adventure capital of East Africa, home to the source of the world’s longest river – River Nile.

Late in the afternoon, you will meet your local guide for briefing about the boat as you drive to the starting point for the sunset cruise on the Nile. You will start this blowing experience which will take you rowing through the turbulent Nile River, the activity also gives you time to relax, spot water birds, and watch local fishermen along the river banks and catch the sunset of the Nile. Head out to the source as you visit the monument as watch how the Nile starts its journey to the Mediterrean Sea.

Main destination: The Nile River

Overnight at Nile Bridge cottages

After breakfast from our accommodation, we set off at 9am depart to reach the Kampala  for last minute shopping before we continue to Entebbe International Airport  for your flight back home.

End of the safari, goodbye is the sadness word from us.