Northern Uganda region is rich with Natural attractions, culture, history, vast landscapes, and a host of diverse animals to match, and this 11-day itinerary embraces it all. Begin your exploration in Entebbe the first Capital city of Uganda, where you’ll explore the country’s most Important City.
Overview
At Kidepo National Park in northeastern Uganda, you’ll have several days of game drives for encounters with big predators and other grasslands wildlife. Experience the Karimojong culture here. Continue to one of Uganda’s fastest growing cities Gulu City to discover some of Uganda’s great historical sites at Fort Baker and Guru Guru Hills, the people, history, and culture. Continue to the famed Murchison Falls National Park, the water falls here considered one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, trek the chimpanzees at Budongo Forest. Finally arrive at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary the only place where you will be able to see rhinos in the wild in Uganda
Highlights
- Come face to face with Uganda’s Unique and Unusual wildlife on a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
- Explore the stories and secrets of the Northern Uganda City on Gulu City Tour.
- Visit Unique Historical sites that had not been open and accessible to the public due to war and insecurity in this region for a long time.
- Enjoy special boat cruise along the Nile River
- Participate in primate viewing at Budongo Forest
- Experience Northern Uganda Culture as you explore local communities, browse through local markets, visit with local schools and village walks.
- Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
- Enjoy fantastic Ariel view of Uganda as you fly to Kidepo Valley National Park
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, make your way through customs and Immigration. As you enter the arrival area, look out for a signboard with your Name on it or the group booking name. Your driver/guide will meet greet and assist with your bags to climb aboard a 10-minutes transfer to Your Entebbe accommodation.
Check in at your Hotel /Guest house
Overnight at
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Depending on your arrival time, visit Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary situated on a small Island on Lake Victoria. This is a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees, victims of illegal trade and Habitat Destruction. The Islands is now home to over 45 chimpanzees. Enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary and a close-up experience as they come to the boundary for their morning or afternoon feeding. Cold drinks, tea and coffee are available on the Island including a unique gift shop. (Please note this visit may also be scheduled on the last day of your safari)
Entebbe is a small quiet town situated along the shores of the beautiful Lake Victoria and it is easy to explore even on foot. Visit the local markets for crafts, curio shops for souvenirs and the Botanical Gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria and watch monkeys jumping from one tree to the other and you may also spot native bird species. Entebbe being a tourist town has a wide variety of restaurants serving many different cuisines as well as several bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and chat with the local Ugandans, known for their open and friendly nature.
Accommodation at Boma Hotel Entebbe
Breakfast only Included
Transfer to Entebbe International airport on time for your Domestic Flight to Apoka Airstrip. Please note Domestic flights to Kidepo valley national park is available from Entebbe International Airport only on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays. Departures from Entebbe Airport is 12:00hrs and arrival at Apoka Airstrip in KVNP at 14:45
Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. From Apoka, in the heart of the national park, a savanna landscape extends in all directions, far beyond the gazetted area of 1442km2, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges. Evening sundowner game drive.
Accommodation at Adere Safari Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner Included
Start with an early breakfast and then go for a game drive along the trails of Kidepo Valley and around the Narus River. The park inhabits one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals several of which are endemic to Kidepo National Park like the cheetah, the striped hyena the caracal and over 465 bird species including the ostriches. Return for lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon return for another unforgettable game drive in the park.
Accommodation at Adere safari Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included
Following Breakfast, visit the Karamojong village to learn more about their culture, music and dance Karamoja has a cattle culture and the Karamojong are known as notorious cattle raiders. Unlike most other Ugandan tribes, many Karamojong shun western-style clothes and instead wear “traditional” dress of a blanket -like shawl, often in red and black. The women wear elaborate beadwork. Following lunch , you will enjoy nature walk at the Kanangarok Hotsprings.
Accommodation at Adere Safari Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included
Following early breakfast, transfer to Gulu city, a Northern Uganda town that recently was awarded a city status and is growing rapidly through trade with neighboring Sudan and Congo. While travelling through the villages and countryside in this region, you will notice the long-term effect of the Kony war which had previously devasted the communities and lives in this region. The war also for a long time shut down tourism in this region but now with relative peace and security returning in this region, you will notice the way communities are building back their lives through farming, trade, Education, and other economic activities. The region is also proudly opening for tourism. The people of this region have a strong and rich culture with a very open friendly nature.
We will stop over at Aruu Falls for a picnic lunch and later have a nature walk to the bottom of the falls. Aruu falls are in Pader District in Northern Uganda. The Falls are situated in the middle of a forested land scape. The beautiful Aruu falls is truly one of the hidden treasures of this region. The waterfalls are incredible with beautiful scenery across the falls and around the entire area.
This place is a must visit when travelling through the region. Later continue to Gulu City.
Overnight stay at African Roots Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
The fort was initially constructed by the Arabs as a slave collection centre. Sir Samuel Baker took over the fort from 1872 to 1888 when he was sent on a mission by the Queen of England to stop the slave trade which was being carried out by the Arabs slave traders.
The fort then became the headquarters for Emin Pasha and Gordon, the respective Governors of the Equatorial Province of the British Protectorate.
Slaves were a key trading item for the Arabs too and were captured from northern Uganda, Gondokoro in Sudan and other areas. Ocecu Hill became a sorting ground for slaves. Healthy-looking ones were forced to trek from Patiko, to Sudan across the river Nile and sold in Egypt.
GURU GURU HILL
In 1911, during the British rule, the people of Acholi rebelled against the British Rule and took refuge on Guruguru hill while Lamogi warriors fought against British rule.
The colonialist wanted to have all guns owned by people of Acholi registered to control the unwanted use of guns, a factor that did not go well with the people who eventually started a rebellion against the British Rule. (The Lamogi Rebellion)
When you visit this site, not only will you learn about the rich history and culture of the Acholi people, but you can enjoy fantastic nature walk, beautiful scenery, discover the reptiles that live around here, spot beautiful birds and monkeys.
You will also encounter local life in these area after many years of the Kony war and rebellion as relative peace now returns to the region.
Overnight stay at African Roots Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Early in the morning after breakfast, transfer to Murchison falls national park Lunch at your Lodge. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centrepiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the hotel through the park such as elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents. We reach Paraa Lodge in time for lunch. Here we will stay and with a cool drink and a fabulous view over the river Nile the evening will come with all the noise of an African night
Accommodation at Paraa Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner Included
Embark on a morning wildlife drive at 6:30am. Drive to delta areas, northern bank for a thrilling wildlife drive. Expect to see some of the exotic wildlife in this park including Elephant, Buffalo, Lion and if lucky the shy Leopard and other wildlife found in this park. Enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Albert. Later, return for breakfast and relax at the Lodge. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise to the bottom of the mighty falls; you will view more exotic wildlife, as well as a variety of bird species as they come to cool off at the water hole. At the bottom of the falls, get off the boat and trek to the top of the falls to gain a beautiful view of the waterfalls from above.
Accommodation at Paraa Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included
Early morning the boat will take us downstream to the delta. The place where the Nile enters Lake Albert. This trip of 5-6 hours will show us all the beauty of this national park especially the delta with all the different birds. Here is a good chance to see the elusive Shoebill stork! In the afternoon is a visit to the top of the Falls, a wonderful view.
Accommodation at Paraa Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included
Following early breakfast and check out, start your journey to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhinos tracking in the wild. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch located is in Nakasongola district the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda.
The sanctuary is conveniently located 176km (100 miles) north of Kampala on the Gulu highway towards Murchison Falls. Ziwa is the only place where you will be able to see rhinos in the wild in Uganda. Lunch at Ziwa Guest House.
Optional Night activity: You can opt for a guided night walks which activity will provide you with the best possible chance to see one of our elusive Leopards or Aardvark. Walking with only your flashlight to clear the dark this is certainly one of the more exhilarating activities and will certainly have your heart pumping. Leaving the lodge between 9pm and 10pm, this is one of the must do activities in Uganda. If going for the nocturnal walk, we suggest early dinner by 7:30pm.
Accommodation at Amuka Lodge
Breakfast and dinner Included.
After Breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport to connect to your onward international flight. Please book return flights departing Entebbe after 5pm.
Please book return flights departing after 1pm.
Overnight optional. If staying in Entebbe, please request assistance at time of booking safari. If you plan to spend additional time in Uganda, please feel free to speak with one of our representatives at the time of booking or on return about the many activities and destinations available in Entebbe and throughout Uganda
Exceptional journeys Uganda Ltd– Best of Northern Uganda Safari
Includes
- Airport transfers
- One Leg Domestic flight to Kidepo Valley national park
- 4x 4 transports with English speaking local driver/guide as above
- Accommodation and meals as above (full board on safari, bed and breakfast in Entebbe)
- All park entrance fees, community walks, boat trips, wildlife drive 1x chimp permit each.
Excludes
- Optional activities
- All International flights and airport taxes
- Any cost of personal nature such as porters, drinks, tips, visas and travel insurance
- Services/activities/meals not included above
- Health: Yellow fever & malaria prophylactics are required.
- Visas: Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda which can be obtained on arrival for USD50 per person, single entry. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
- Flights: It is important that you reconfirm your onward/return flights. We can assist you with this service as well.