7 Days Eastern Uganda Safari

This 7-day Eastern Uganda Safari takes you to raft in the Nile, hike the beautiful Sipi Falls and discover the pure wilderness of Kidepo Valley NP.
Duration
7 Days
Destination
Uganda
Travellers
2

Stunning Landscapes & Wildlife Raft the Nile, Explore Sipi & Discover Kidepo

This 7-day Eastern Uganda Safari takes you to raft in the Nile, hike the beautiful Sipi Falls and discover the pure wilderness of Kidepo Valley NP.
  • Information
  • Tour Plan
  • Gallery
  • Similar Safaris
  • Notes & Packing
This 7-day Eastern Uganda Safari takes you to raft in the Nile, hike the beautiful Sipi Falls and discover the pure wilderness of Kidepo Valley NP.

What's included

Destination
Departure Location
Kampala / Entebbe
Return Location
Kampala / Entebbe
Price includes
  • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
  • English-speaking driver/guide
  • Ground transportation in 4WD safari car
  • Meals indicated in the itinerary
  • Park / Activity Fees
Price does not include
  • International flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Visa fees

7 Days Eastern Uganda Safari

Quick Overview

Experience the diverse and exciting 7-day Eastern Uganda safari, starting from Kampala and extending all the way to Kidepo Valley National Park. This safari showcases stunning landscapes, wildlife, and non-stop excitement in Eastern Uganda.

In Jinja, your city tour will be complemented by adrenaline rush of white water rafting through the Nile river’s grave 5 rapids. Then you will go to Sipi for the sparkling waterfalls and local coffee-growing norms, after which you will head northward to Kidepo Valley National Park for your ultimate wilderness experience.

In Kidepo you will see such animals as Ostrich, Zebra, Giraffe, Buffaloes, Elephants and Uganda kobs among many others. Together with a visit to the hot springs, a morning Nature walk, and a community visit, you will feel one with the park and its surrounding beauty.

After Kidepo, you will take on the ultimate all-day Ugandan road trip back to Kampala, ending your safari.

Highlights

Destinations: Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Sipi Falls, Kidepo Valley National Park

Activities: Jinja city tour, White water rafting, Hiking, Coffee tours, Wildlife game drives, Community visit

  • Day 1:
  • Day 2:
  • Day 3:
  • Day 4:
  • Day 5:
  • Day 6:
  • Day 7:
Day 1:

Arrival in Uganda

Today you will arrive at Entebbe International Airport and your safari guide will be ready to welcome you to Uganda. Depending on your time of arrival, you may have time for an optional city tour of Entebbe town.

Entebbe is one of Uganda's oldest towns with old buildings and monuments as well as fun places like the beach, fish market, reptiles village and botanical gardens. If you have enough time, you can check out some of these places and then check back at your lodge for your first night in Uganda.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Airport Guest House
  • Midrange: Boma Guest House
  • Luxury: Hotel No. 5

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2:

Drive to Jinja, City Tour & Optional Half Day Water Rafting

In the morning, you will go to Jinja City, 2 hours east of Kampala. Jinja is best known as the source of the Nile - where the river starts its 4000 mile journey from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean sea.

In Jinja, you will take a boat ride to the source of the Nile point and also have a tour around the town.

Alternatively, you can choose to do a half day of white water rafting on the Nile. During the rafting, you will go through meandering parts of the Nile with beautiful scenery and challenging rapids where your adrenaline will soar to new levels.

You will relax at your accommodation in the evening.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Gately on the Nile
  • Midrange: Haven Lodge
  • Luxury: Wildwaters Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:

Drive to Mbale, Visit Sipi Falls & Community Walk

After an early breakfast, depart for Kapchorwa town to visit Sipi waterfalls. You shall have a nature walk to witness the Sipi Falls - a series of 3 magnificent waterfalls.

The Sipi Falls area is found on the slopes of Mount Elgon and is also known for the fertile volcanic soils that produce the best coffee in the world - the Bugisu Arabic Coffee.

The locals have a long history with coffee and they will lead you around on their farms for a wonderful coffee farming experience where you will learn about their entire process - from seed to cup. If you love your coffee, carry some cash to buy some Bugisu Coffee directly from the locals.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Lacam Lodge
  • Midrange: Mbale Resort Hotel
  • Luxury: Sipi River Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:

Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park

Today you will start the long drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda. Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species and 475 species of birds.

Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent. Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses with a picturesque savannah landscape extending far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges.

Much of today will be spent on the road but depending on your time of arrival, you may time have a short evening game drive. You will then check in at the lodge for some relaxation and an overnight stay.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Savannah Kidepo Lodge
  • Midrange: Nga’Moru Camp
  • Luxury: Apoka Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:

All Day Wildlife Game Drive & Visit The Hot Springs

After breakfast, you will embark on an extensive all-day game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park. You will carry a packed 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 the lions that may be sitting on the valley’s various rocks. Other wildlife includes elephants, leopards, bush duiker, jackals, bushbuck, bush pigs, ostriches, buffalo and much more, in the wild Narus Valley.

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.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Savannah Kidepo Lodge
  • Midrange: Nga’Moru Camp
  • Luxury: Apoka Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:

Morning Nature Walk, Evening Community Visit

On this day, we shall explore the park on foot in the company of an armed ranger, and also visit the nearby community.

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 5-kilometre radius from Apoka Tourism Centre. The walk to Lomej Mountains can last four hours, the hike starts at 7 am.

Guests can also wander along the splendid Kidepo River Valley between banks of attractive Borassus palm forests. Namamkweny Valley can be reached in one hour from Apoka.

In the afternoon you will visit a local community of Karimojong. You will learn about the unique culture of this remote tribe with the Lorukul Cultural Group, located just outside the park.

Their main livelihood is herding livestock, and the social and cultural importance will be explained as you walk with the guides to the traditional Karamojong manyattas (homesteads), granaries (food storage) and cattle enclosures. Learn how the villagers make their distinctive beads, sample the local cuisine, and even learn the tribe’s folklore and beliefs.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Savannah Kidepo Lodge
  • Midrange: Nga’Moru Camp
  • Luxury: Apoka Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:

Return to Entebbe, Departure

Checking out of the lodge very early in the morning, you will start a long road trip from Kidepo to Kampala. You will carry packed lunch from the lodge and drive to Kampala - with a few brief sightseeing stops along the way.

Arrive in Kampala in the evening. You shall be dropped off at your preferred residence or the airport in case of a departure flight on the same day.

Accommodation

  • (X) - Last day
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, -

Notes of Chimp & Gorilla Trekking

Here are some important things to know about tracking gorillas or chimps in Uganda and Rwanda.

  • Minimum age allowed to track chimps is 12 years old.
  • Minimum age allowed to track gorillas is 15 years old.
  • Tracking gorillas is quite strenuous and one should be physically fit to best enjoy the experience.
  • Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track chimps or gorillas.
  • Maximum time allowed with the gorillas or chimps is 1 hour.

Packing Recommendation

Here are some general safari packing recommendations to consider. Your agreed itinerary will have recommendations based on your trip and schedule.

  • Lightweight rain poncho
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Sturdy hiking shoes
  • Waterproof trousers
  • gardening-type gloves
  • Sunscreen
  • Wide brim hat
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera with extra batteries and cards
  • Your regular medication
  • Phone/gadget chargers

Visas for Uganda or Rwanda

Both Rwanda and Uganda have simple to use online visa self-service portals where you can apply and get your visa in a few days. Here are the full articles to guide you about visas.

Best time to visit Uganda or Rwanda

For most people, it is more pleasant and enjoyable to visit Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season months (June to September and December to February). The general climate is warm and sunny all year round, and you can visit at any time of the year.

If you don't enjoy crowds, the shoulder seasons are ideal since the tourist numbers are lower and the attractions are more intimate to explore.

Safety. Is its safe to visit?

Both Uganda and Rwanda are very safe countries to visit and live in. They are some of Africa's most visited countries and hailed for the friendly locals and warm welcoming smiles.

If you have any safety concerns or specifics your are worried about, simply reach out to us and we'll do everything to help you.

Why Choose Exclusive African Safaris

We are a full service Destination Management Company started and operating in Uganda since 2008. In more than 15 years, we have served guests from all parts of the world and helped them to enjoy wonderful experiences of the wild places, cultures and people in Uganda and Rwanda.

Choosing Exclusive African Safaris, is choosing to go with a trusted company whose wide network, experienced guides and staff will make sure that your safari experience is all that you wanted - and more.

Customizing your safari experience

All our safari packages can be customized and personalized to fit your budget, preferences and schedule. You can start the process through an already existing safari which is speaking to you - but not quite fully, and we shall tailor that trip to your wishes.

You can also directly reach out for us and request for a custom safari, and we shall work closely with you, start from scratch and build a safari that is 100% you.

About Us

Exclusive African Safaris Ltd is a Uganda-based company with 15+ years of creating great safaris in Uganda & Rwanda.

Our safaris offer great value for your money – while being good for people and planet.

Our Address

Exclusive African Safaris Ltd

Imani Complex, First Floor,
Suite L2L, Plot 6522.
Mulawa – Kira, Wakiso – Uganda

+256 772 887 484
info@exclusiveafricansafaris.com

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7 Days Eastern Uganda Safari

Duration
7 Days
Destination
Uganda
Travellers
2



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