10 DAY KIDEPO EASTERN & NORTHERN CIRCUIT SAFARI

 

On this 10-day safari, you will journey through some of Uganda’s most scenic, remote, and culturally rich regions. Begin in Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa, where you’ll visit the Source of the Nile and enjoy optional adrenaline activities like white-water rafting. Continue to the cool highlands of Sipi Falls for stunning waterfall hikes and a hands-on coffee tour. Venture north into the Karamoja region for an authentic cultural experience before heading into the wild beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park, home to lions, buffalo herds, cheetahs, and ostriches. Explore the dramatic savannah, visit Kanangorok Hot Springs, and connect with remote communities. Then head to Murchison Falls National Park for thrilling game drives, a Nile boat safari, and views of the world’s most powerful waterfall. This trip offers the perfect mix of nature, culture, and adventure in Uganda’s untamed east and north.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Jinja

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met by your guide and begin your journey eastward to Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa. En route, pass through Mabira Forest and local markets. Upon arrival, visit the Source of the Nile, where the river begins its journey northward. Optional activities include a sunset boat ride or visit to the craft shops. Relax at your lodge overlooking the Nile as you prepare for the next day of exploration. Overnight in Jinja.

Accommodation: Lemala Wildwaters lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 2: Jinja Adventure Activities – Transfer to Sipi Falls

Enjoy a morning of adventure in Jinja. Choose from white-water rafting, quad biking, horseback riding, or bungee jumping over the Nile. After lunch, drive to Sipi Falls, located on the foothills of Mount Elgon. The scenic journey takes you through lush farmlands and local villages. Arrive in the evening and check into your lodge with stunning views of the waterfalls. Enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner while soaking in the cool mountain air. Overnight in Sipi.

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3: Sipi Falls Hike & Coffee Tour

Today, explore the natural beauty of Sipi Falls with a guided hike to its three cascading waterfalls. The walk offers breathtaking views of the Karamoja plains, caves, and lush vegetation. Along the trail, interact with local guides who share insights about the landscape and culture. In the afternoon, enjoy a coffee experience, learning how Arabica coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted by local farmers. Taste freshly brewed Ugandan coffee with a mountain backdrop. Return to your lodge for a peaceful evening and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Moroto – Karamoja Cultural Experience

Depart Sipi after breakfast and head north to Moroto, the gateway to Uganda’s Karamoja region. Travel through changing landscapes as the highlands give way to dry savannahs and rocky outcrops. Arrive in Moroto in the afternoon and settle in at your lodge. Later, visit a Karamojong community for an authentic cultural experience. Learn about their traditional way of life, livestock practices, and enjoy dancing and storytelling around a campfire. This immersive experience offers rare insight into one of Uganda’s most unique cultures. Overnight in Moroto.

Accommodation: Kara-Tunga safari Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast, drive to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s most remote and unspoiled wilderness areas. The journey takes you through dramatic scenery and sparse settlements, offering a glimpse into Uganda’s rugged northeast. Arrive in the park in time for a short evening game drive, where you may spot buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and possibly lions. Check into your lodge or tented camp with views over the Narus Valley. Enjoy dinner as you listen to the sounds of wildlife in the distance. Overnight in Kidepo.

Accommodation:  Kidepo savannah lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6: Full-Day Game Drives in Kidepo Valley

Spend a full day exploring Kidepo Valley, starting with an early morning game drive in Narus Valley, home to lions, elephants, buffaloes, and antelope species. After a lunch break, head to the Kidepo Valley sector, visiting Kanangorok Hot Springs near the South Sudan border. The drive offers views of rugged mountains and sightings of ostriches, jackals, and unique birds. Few places in Africa match Kidepo’s remote beauty and wildlife density. Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation under a star-filled sky.

Accommodation:

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7: Cultural Visit – Transfer to Gulu

After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit to a nearby Ik or Karamojong community, depending on accessibility, for further cultural interaction. Learn about traditional architecture, music, and their unique pastoralist lifestyles. Afterwards, begin the drive to Gulu, northern Uganda’s largest town. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel. Relax or explore Gulu town at your leisure—visit local markets or unwind at your hotel. It’s a perfect stopover before heading to Murchison Falls. Overnight in Gulu.

Accommodation: Boma Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Top of the Falls

Depart Gulu after breakfast and drive southwest to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, visit the iconic top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a 7-meter gorge and plunges 45 meters down in a thunderous roar. Capture panoramic views and feel the spray of the falls. Continue to your lodge inside the park, with chances to spot baboons, warthogs, and birds along the way. Enjoy dinner and overnight surrounded by Uganda’s largest and most diverse park.

Accommodation: Chobe Safari lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 9: Game Drive and Nile Boat Safari

Start the day with a sunrise game drive on the northern bank, where you’ll spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, and maybe a leopard. Return to the lodge for breakfast and relax. After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile to the base of the falls. See crocodiles basking, hippos wallowing, and countless water birds along the riverbanks. The cruise offers excellent photography opportunities and a refreshing breeze. Return for dinner and your final night in the wild.

Accommodation: Chobe safari lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 10: Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Enjoy breakfast, then begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, passing through towns like Masindi and Luwero. Stop for lunch en route and enjoy the changing landscapes—from savannahs to forests to urban centers. If time permits, make a stop at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary (if not visited earlier). Arrive in the late afternoon or evening and transfer to your hotel or the airport for your departure. This marks the end of your unforgettable 10-day journey through Eastern and Northern Uganda’s wild and cultural treasures.

Accommodation: no accommodation

Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch.

Includes:

• Accommodation on full board
• All park entry fees
• Transport in a safari van
• English speaking guide
• Meals en route
• Bottled drinking water

 Excludes:

• Domestic & International flights
• Visa fees
• Personal expenses
• Alcoholic drinks