This 8 days safari takes you to Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison falls national park. Kidepo valleynational park lies in the rugged, semi arid valleys between Uganda’s borders with South Sudan in the north west and only 5km from the eastern border of Kenya, some 700km from Kampala. Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species. The park contains two rivers – Kidepo and Narus – which disappear in the dry season, leaving just pools for the wildlife
Day: Transfer to Kidepo valley national park
You will start your day with a long drive to Kidepo Valley National Park, you will have en-route lunch in Gulu and you will arrive in the late evening in the park for overnight stay. On your way, you will enjoy some scenic views of the few hills that separate Acholi Land and Karamoja, you will not miss the great Manyatas on the way, cross some few seasonal rivers as well as the changing cultures as you drive from one region to another
DAY 2: Full day Game drives in Narus Valley.
After an early breakfast you will drive to Narus Valley for your morning game drive. Narus Valley is popular for mammals such as elephants, giraffes, buffalo’s antelopes, zebras and birds. Being the only permanent water point, many animals come to Narus valley to drink water and feed. It’s where you will find the largest buffalo herds than you can find anywhere on planet earth. Chances of spotting big cats hunting are very high as well. If lucky, you may spot the rare cheetahs too. Return to the Lodge for lunch, relaxation and then return to Narus Valley for an evening game drive.
DAY 3: Game drive in Narus and Hot springs visit in Kidepo Valley.
After breakfast, drive to Narus valley to do an extra game drive to trace wildlife that you could have missed on the two game drives done earlier on. Kidepo valley National Park are the best and you won’t be disappointed. The park has observation points with binoculars and it will be your pleasure to use one of them. Return to the Lodge for Lunch, short relaxation and then drive to Kidepo Valley to visit the hot springs, the Uganda-Sudan boarder and if lucky spot the giant Ostriches which are found in this place but have been seriously poached by Sudanese. There seasonal rivers on this side so if it is a rainy season, get ready to be interrupted for few hours. Return to the lodge for overnight.
DAY 4: Community Experience with the IK and Karamojong communities.
Visiting the community will compete your experience in Kidepo valley National Park, the dance and their unique culture in the ranges is worth a visit while in Kidepo Valley National Park. The Ik communities gather in Villages which are fenced to avoid intruders and wild animals. They will dance, and take you through their culture and you will have an opportunity to get crafts as well.
In the Afternoon, you will visit the Karamojong homesteads, known as the Manyatta. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the elders and get to know more about their culture and lifestyle. Here you can contribute by making donations of any kind towards their social welfare. As part of our sustainability practice, we take our clients to appreciate their lifestyle and daily activities which include grazing and milking cows. This is the perfect opportunity for those who like to immerse themselves in the cultures of the communities they visit.
DAY 5: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
After breakfast, you will drive from Kidepo Valley National Park to Murchison Falls National Park. You will enjoy an en route game drive through the northern section of the park popularly known as Para where you will have chances of spotting many mammals and if luck strikes, big cats hunting. Cross the ferry and overnight in the park and depending on the time you arrive visit the top of the breath-taking top of the falls. Really an amazing treat.
DAY 6: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on the bottom of the falls.
After early morning breakfast, you will go for your early morning game drive that gives you chance for wild game that include lions, buffaloes, elephants, several antelopes, leopards and so much more. The delta region is also very rich with water animals such as hippos, crocodiles and the rare shoebill stock. At Murchison Falls National Park, it is nature that gives so the fact that wild animals graze and move naturally, seeing any animal will depend on your luck of the day. Afterword’s, you will drive back to your lodge for lunch and then head for the afternoon boat cruise to the base of the falls. This boat cruise to the base of the falls is seen as the highlight of all activities at Murchison Falls National Park since many water and land animals can be sighted. Expect to see lots of Buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, many water birds as you cruise up stream to the base of the falls where water squeezes itself into a narrow gorge to later explode as it flows down words. Return to the lodge for overnight.
DAY 7: Delta Cruise on the Nile and afternoon game drive.
Early morning departure from the lodge with picnic Lunch and transfer to catch the morning boat at the Jetty point. While on this boat cruise, you can spot several herds of buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Giraffes, Elephants, and several other wild animals that flock the River Nile to drink water. Not forgetting the several bird species that can as well be spotted while on the boat. You will in the afternoon have a game drive as you head to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.
DAY 8: Murchison Falls NP-Departure.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight out of Uganda. You may pass by the top of the falls to see the falls from the top or drive to Zziwa Sanctuary to track white Rhinos. Lunch and route and drive to Entebbe International Airport.