12 DAYS NORTH-WESTERN CIRCUIT UGANDA SAFARI
Itinerary Overview
For unforgettable wildlife encounters and authentic wilderness experiences, this 12 Days Uganda Classic Safari Destinations covers North to western circuit trip and is worth booking. Visit top destinations in the Pearl of Africa that make it ideal for wildlife safaris including Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos, Budongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park- for great wildlife encounters in the extensive savanna plains.
Also, go hike to the Sipi Falls- the Triple falls located in Eastern Uganda and at Jinja, have taste of the Nile River water while you challenge yourself in white water rafting experience to tough grades and rapids. End your trip in Kampala with city tour- explore different historical or cultural sites widely spread in and around the city.
Detailed
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer To Murchison Falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
When you land at Entebbe International airport, your driver guide will welcome you and start your journey to the first destination of your Uganda Safari. We shall drive to Murchison Falls National Park enroute on Kampala-Luweero triangle-Gulu highway with a stopover visit at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking.
This is the only location where rhinos can be watched in their habitat and takes about 2 hours for you to enjoy rhino tracking. After watching the Rhinos, we shall go for lunch then proceed to Budongo Forest Reserve via Kichumbanyobo gate
Overnight:
Budongo Eco Lodge
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking, Top Of The Falls Tour
Wake up to an early breakfast, then assemble at Budongo Forest offices for briefing on chimpanzee tracking rules. Afer getting allocated a chimpanzee trekking group and a ranger guide, we shall start our trek in to see the forest to search for chimpanzees. This will take from 2 to 4 hours and you will have one hour mainly to observe how chimps groom each other, behave, habits.
Budongo is a rich natural forest and protects more than 500 chimpanzees and a huge profusion of other primates to come across range from red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, to black and white colobus monkeys, plus forest and Albertine rift endemic birds. Return to the eco-lodge for lunch and proceed to the top of Murchison Falls to enjoy a breathtaking view as it forces itself into a narrow rock creating a permanent rainbow
Overnight:
Fort Murchison Lodge (Budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 3: Morning Game Drive Safari & Afternoon Boat Cruise
Wake up to an early breakfast and after drive to the Northern bank game tracks for early morning guided game drive. We have a chance to see wildlife go about their morning jungle routine for example African lions, buffalos, leopards, rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, kobs, warthogs and others plus different birds.
After the game drive, we shall drive back to the lodge, rest a bit before we go for our afternoon boat trip. During the boat cruise to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls come with great display of aquatic life such as hippos, birds, crocodiles and more animals and birds that call this place home with others visiting to swim, sunbath and drink water to quench their thirst. We shall return to the lodge for relaxation or sundowner.
Overnight:
Fort Murchison Lodge (Budget)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 4: Morning Game Drive, Transfer To Kidepo Valley NP
Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee and drive out for quick game drive early morning with a chance to see some more wildlife as you exit Murchison Falls NP for Kidepo Valley National Park in the extreme North-eastern Uganda. Kidepo 1442sq.kms shelters valuable species of wildlife that are of great interest on game viewing tour including 4 of the big five game members, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, etc
Overnight:
Apoka Hostel Bandas (Budget)
Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Midrange)
Apoka Lodge (Luxury)
Day 5: Game Drive Narus Valley Kidepo & Karamojong Cultural Visit
Wake up to a sunrise breakfast and after we go for a game drive in Kidepo early to catch up with morning risers along Narus Valley. The animals to be spotted include rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, lions, jackals, warthogs, birds especially ostriches and in addition, breathtaking view of Kidepo landscape offering perfect spots for photography. After the rewarding game drive, we shall drive back to the lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon; explore Karamojong homesteads for authentic African cultures, traditions. Great dances, drama, music performances will follow and you return when thrilled.
Overnight:
Apoka Hostel Bandas (Budget)
Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Midrange)
Apoka Lodge (Luxury)
Day 6: Murungole Hike To Visit The IK Community
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then set off for a hike to Morungole. Visit the Ik people living on the summits of Mount Morungole in Karamoja region. The Ik is an indigenous community residing in Karamoja who kept a few herds of cattle, sheep, goats and possessed special skills at hunting, gathering fruits, flowers and leaves among others. After the hike we shall transfer to Kotido town. This is a remote area and not so much touristic so we will spend the evening relaxing and sharing memories.
Overnight:
Lamason Hotel Kotido
Day 7: Transfer To Moroto Town For A Cultural Experience
Have breakfast in the morning and set off for Moroto town for a thrilling cultural experience. It’s a very interesting journey through the remote areas of Karamoja region. We target to arrive at the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, we shall go for the Karamojong cultural experience where we shall be in position to interact with the locals as they show case their daily life, visiting kraals, granaries, grinding stones and in the end we could engage into the dance with them and later return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight:
Karatunga Camp (Budget)
Mount Moroto Hotel (Midrange)
Hotel Africana Moroto (Luxury)
Day 8: Transfer To Sipi Falls Via Nyero Rock Paintings
After a relaxed breakfast, we leave Lira city in the North for Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa in the Eastern side, located at the base of Mt. Elgon. The journey from Lira to Sipi will take about 4 hours via Soroti city and en- route, branch off to Nyero paintings.; an amazing cultural historical markings that are believed to have been made by ancient beings. They also exhibit real truth about the existence of the smartest people that came before modern day civilization. After the stopover, we shall proceed with the journey to our final destination where we shall enjoy stunning views and retire for the night..
Overnight:
Lacam Lodge Budget)
Rafiki Lodge (Midrange)
Sipi River Lodge (Luxury)
Day 9: Hike Sipi Falls
After a leisurely breakfast, we shall go for our hike to Sipi Falls to explore 3 waterfalls located at the base of Mt. Elgon, Eastern Uganda. It is a strenuous and often muddy hike but the effort is well worth it. The route that goes through the falls offers stunning views and opportunities to meet the locals.
The hike takes you through several local farms, hills, valleys and other features. During the hike, you will be able to see all 3 waterfalls clearly. In the evening, you will embark on coffee tour to explore all stages it takes to prepare coffee right first stage of planting to processing. You may opt for rock climbing or abseiling experiences.
Overnight:
Lacam Lodge (Budget)
Rafiki Lodge (Midrange)
Sipi River Lodge (Luxury)
Day 10: Transfer To Jinja, Sunset Boat Cruise
After a delicious breakfast, we leave the scenic Sipi Falls for Jinja; adrenaline adventure capital of Uganda about 5 hours journey. We shall arrive early, relax at the lodge, have lunch and later in the evening go enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the Nile and let the good times keep rolling as the sun sets on the majestic Nile River. After the sunset cruise, we shall retire for the night ahead of the next day’s activity.
Overnight:
King Fisher Resort (Budget)
2 Friends Hotel (Midrange)
Lemala Wild Waters Lodge (Luxury)
Day 11: White Water Rafting
Enjoy an early breakfast and connect where whitewater rafting is conducted. Meet officials for briefing and later, enjoy the ultimate river rafting experience as this is home to the world’s finest grade 5 white water rafting. After your challenge, we drive back for relaxation or go back in the afternoon phase or opt for bungee jumping or tubing. Other possible activities to do while in Jinja include jet boating, kayaking, quad biking, biking/cycling, etc
Overnight:
King Fisher Resort (Budget)
2 Friends Hotel (Midrange)
Lemala Wild Waters (Luxury)
Day 12: Transfer To Kampala With A Stopover Visit At Sezibwa Falls
After a delicious breakfast, leave Jinja for Kampala passing through Mabira Forest. Drive via Mukono where you will branch off to visit Sezibwa falls- one of Uganda’s hidden tourism spots. Enjoy scenic waterfalls and also significant cultural site in Buganda at the falls. For early arrivals in Kampala, proceed for a short city tour in Kampala. Later, you will have last drop off at a hotel in Kampala or Entebbe Airport for departure
