Big five and water safari

8 days—Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Parks Uganda

$1254-1864 USD

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Safari summary

Uganda is first known for the rare mountain gorilla tracking, but this beautiful country has way more to offer. You can see big game, the wonderful safari parks like Queen Elizabeth NP and the still unknown Kidepo Valley NP, the primates in the rain forests, the amazing waterfalls and the beautiful lakes.

Uganda is called “The pearl of Africa” for many good reasons. As Winston Churchill wrote: “For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly The Pearl of Africa


About this tour

Tour type Custom, tailor-made, private
Main focus Game drives
Activity level Easy activity
Best months All months
Countries
Parks

Fine details

Safari highlights
  • Boat, canoe, dhow, kayak, mokoro safari
  • Night game drives

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Airport transfer Your driver/guide will be at Entebbe Airport to pick you up from your flight and take you directly to your lodge in Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may be able to explore the sites in and around Kampala. You will stay in a nice lodge with beautiful views on Lake Victoria. The hotel has cosy safari style furnished rooms, equipped with satellite TV, fridge bar, telephone, fan, balcony with lake-view and a comfortable bathroom. Journey Time: 1 Hour Accommodation: Cassia Lodge Meal Plan: No meals inclusive       Cassia Lodge Cassia Lodge offers an astonishing view over Lake Victoria and the city. With an excellent international cuisine in a serene environment, you will be able to unwind after - or before your tour in Uganda. In addition, they have wireless Internet connection, a large swimming pool and 20 spacious rooms with satellite television, bar and balcony overlooking the lake. www.cassialodge.com

Day 2

Day 2: Transfer to Gulu Today after early breakfast, you will begin your journey to Gulu- the Northern part. We don’t have any activities planned today as we expect you will want to rest after a tiresome day. It is possible, however, to have a stroll around this wild town of the north. Journey Time: 7 – 8 Accommodation: Churchill Courts Meal Plan: All meals You will stay in a comfortable hotel with air-conditioned rooms. Churchill Courts Gulu is rather new on the tourism map and not yet many nice and cosy lodges have been built. There are plenty of opportunities to stay in comfortable and clean places, but it won't give you the "out of Africa" experience. One of the most comfortable hotels is Churchill Courts. It's a new hotel with spacious air-conditioned rooms (useful, because Gulu can be very hot). The restaurant isn't all that cozy, but the menu is good and the service is warm and nice, as usual in Uganda.  

Day 3

Kidepo Valley

Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the most remote and pristine national park in the country, Kidepo Valley National Park. The park has some of the most amazing scenery in the country! For many people this is the most beautiful park of Uganda. Here you will find almost no tourists leaving you free to enjoy the park and its unique combination of wildlife without distraction. Kidepo National Park is not yet very touristic.  Later in the afternoon, you will go for a game drive Journey Time: 5 hours Accommodation: Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp Meal Plan: All meals Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp (Mid-range/semi-luxe) Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp is situated on the border of the Kidepo Valley National Park, only 4 kilometers from the gate. Here you will find comfortable accommodation in either a safari tent under thatch or in a Cabana. All accommodation is en-suite. Nga’Moru Camp offers a true bush experience in one of the most beautiful game parks in Uganda. The lodge is located on a hill, and the camp offers spectacular views of the Narus Valley and the savannah plains stretching all the way to the Morungole Mountains. Elephant, Hyena, Waterbuck, Zebra and Lion are frequent visitors to the Camp.  

Day 4

Kidepo Valley

Day 4: Game drives and Kanangorok hot springs Today after breakfast and go for a game drive. In Kidepo Valley National park,  you will find zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and leopards. This is also the only place in Uganda where you can find the cheetah and ostrich. Kidepo is famous for its lions relaxing on the rocks - a scene which may remind you of a certain Disney film. You might even be very lucky to spot a leopard or cheetah! Besides the 4x4 safaris you can also take a bush walk in the park with an armed ranger   Accommodation: Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp Meal Plan: All meals

Day 5

Day 5: Transfer to Gulu Today you will face a long, bumpy and dusty drive to the sizeable town of Gulu, get ready for the “African Massage!” No activities planned today as we expect you will want to rest after a tiresome day. It is possible, however, to have a stroll around Gulu town You will stay in a comfortable hotel with air-conditioned rooms. Journey Time: 7 – 9 hours Accommodation: Churchill Courts Meal plan: All meals   

Day 6

Murchison Falls

Day 6: To Murchison Falls N.P. Today you continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park You will game drive towards your lodge. You will be staying at a great mid-range lodge. From here you can relax the rest of your day. Covering an area of over 3,840 km², Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in Uganda. The park’s name derives from its famous waterfall: the mighty Murchison Falls, which are formed where the Victoria Nile powerfully forces its way through a narrow cleft before plunging 43m down with a thunderous roar The mighty Nile River divides the park into its north and south sections. At the spectacular Murchison Falls the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. As the river attracts large numbers of game, a boat safari up the Nile provides the perfect opportunity to see and photograph the animals. You will be watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other thirsty wildlife that the Nile attracts, you go to the bottom of the Murchison Falls, which approaches you with a thunderous sound. By car or after a short hike you can reach the “Top of the falls” from where you have a perfect view of the extraordinary falls and the river snaking below. You will be staying at a great mid-range lodge, overlooking the River Nile. Here you can relax during the rest of your day.   Journey Time: 7 Hours Accommodation: Pakuba Game Lodge Meal plan: All meals Pakuba Safari Lodge is located on the Eastern Bank of Albert Nile, in Murchison Falls NP. It has tastefully furnished roomer that offer comfort, style and serenity Wildlife sightings at the lodge include elephant, cape buffalo, lion, leopard, hippos, and countless birds www.pakubasafarilodge.com      

Day 7

Murchison Falls

Day 7: Morning game drive, Boat safari & Hike to the top of falls Today you will wake up very early. In the early morning hours animals are the most active, the sun is not yet so bright and temperatures are cooler. It offers the best time to spot wild animals. After an early breakfast you will go on a game drive to explore the northern part of the park. You will be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom: elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelopes and many tropical birds may all be spotted during the game drive. So keep your eyes open, they are all there in Murchison Falls National Park!     In the afternoon you will take a boat safari up the Nile River to Murchison Falls. You will be watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other thirsty wildlife that the Nile attracts, you will reach the base of the 43-meter high Falls which approach with a thunderous sound.  After the boat safari you will hike to the top of the falls. From here you have a wonderful view and fantastic photo opportunities! Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge Meal plan: All meals

Day 8

Kidepo Valley | Murchison Falls

Day 8: Transfer back with en route rhino tracking Today after breakfast, you will transfer back to Kampala. En route, you will visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will go for guided rhino tracking with an experienced ranger, which gives you a unique opportunity to view the rhinos from a close distance. Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks once had both black and white rhinos; however, widespread poaching during the Idi Amin era resulted in the disappearance of these majestic animals from the wild. Founded in 1998, Rhino Fund Uganda works to reintroduce black and white rhinos into Uganda and runs a breeding programme. Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the program. If you wish to depart tonight from Entebbe Airport, make sure your flight is at 10 pm or later. If you want us to book one (or more) nights in Kampala and/or Entebbe, please let us know. Journey Time: 9 hours to Kampala, 10 hours to Entebbe Accommodation: Not included Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch Dates Since this is a private tour, departure can be organised for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.   The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking. In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will do our utmost best to book a hotel in the same class for you (of course we will only do this after consulting you). It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore we can only buy them after your booking and down-payment and also here it all depends on availability. Transport Our standard offering for mid-range tours is a 4wd minibus with pop-up roof for easy safari viewing. All passengers will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional and courteous driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.   Tour Package Including: ·         Transport in a 4WD minivan with pop-up roof for excellent safari view; ·         All fuel for the tour; ·         English speaking Ugandan driver/guide; ·         Accommodation as listed in the program; ·         All breakfasts and dinners included; ·         Park-entrance fees according to the program; ·         All activities described in the itinerary; Excluding: International air fares and entry visa Uganda Meals that are not part of your accommodation; A porter for during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack); Personal (medical/travel) insurance; Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc; All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)  

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