Tour Overview.
The 6 days Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Park take you on an unforgettable wildlife/game viewing tour. Expect to explore 2 enriching game parks in Uganda including Kidepo Valley National Park in the extreme Northeast, and Murchison Falls National Park located in Northwestern part of the country.
Kidepo Valley National Park is without doubt one of the finest wilderness areas in Africa and is home to over 77 mammal species including cheetahs. Kidepo is set in the rugged, semi-arid valleys at the border with Kenya and South Sudan. At Kidepo National Park, expect to enjoy a guided game drive and visit the Karamojong community.
Murchison Falls National Park which expands up to 3,840 Sq. km is Uganda’s largest park and holds over 76 mammal species, 51 reptiles, and 451 species. While in Murchison Falls National Park, you will embark on a guided game drive and launch or boat cruise to the bottom of the scenic Murchison Waterfalls.
Overall, your Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Park safari will begin and end in Entebbe or Kampala. You will enjoy your trip safely with the presence of an experienced guide.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Pick up at the hotel & drive to Kidepo Valley National Park.
After a hefty breakfast, expect to meet your experienced safari guide. Get a short briefing about your special tour which takes 6 days and 5 nights in Uganda. Today, you will start by transferring to your first destination which is Kidepo Valley National Park.
Your road trip will be a bit long as it will last for about 10 to 11 hours with stopovers expected to be made en route. On arrival at Kidepo, you will be expected to check in at your pre-booked safari lodge or camp to chill, dine and also retire for a night.
Day 2: Full-day game viewing in Kidepo National Park.
Wake up early to prepare and also enjoy some breakfast. Later, meet your safari guide ready for a full day wildlife expedition in Kidepo National Park. As you traverse through the spectacular Narus Valley area in Kidepo, expect to keep an eye on a myriad of wildlife and birdlife.
Some of the amazing wildlife to expect to encounter on your Kidepo game drive include cheetahs, lions, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffaloes, elephants, and birds like ostriches. Today’s full-day game tour includes a picnic lunch and you will proceed with the afternoon session as you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Morning game drive & afternoon Karamojong community visit.
Enjoy a hefty breakfast and today, you will catch up with the early morning game drive in Kidepo. With your experienced safari guide, expect to explore the breathtaking landscape of Kidepo Valley National Park with its abundant wildlife. Today’s game safari offers you a unique opportunity to encounter different wildlife that you missed seeing the previous day.
Get back to your lodge to enjoy lunch at leisure. Later, expect to be part of the memorable cultural tour in the Karamojong Community / Manyatta Village. The cultural visit allows you to have a close interaction with the Karamojong people, learn their distinct traditions and practices.
You will also have great entertainment from incredible traditional dances and cultural music performances showcased by the locals. Return to your lodge and have a leisurely dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer from Kidepo National Park to Murchison Falls NP.
Make early preparation and after, you will be required to check out of your respective accommodation. Today, you will be exiting Kidepo for Murchison Falls National Park. Enroute, you will have a stopover at Gulu City for a delicious lunch then continue to Murchison Falls Park. Arrive early and check in your pre-booked lodge in Murchison Falls National Park which is found in Northwestern Uganda.
Day 5: Enjoy an exciting game drive & boat cruise.
Today’s morning marks the start of your game viewing session in Murchison Falls National Park and will be done with a guide. Expect to begin your game drive as early as 6:00 am to catch up with early risers. The focus will be to explore the northern sector’s game tracks where you stand a chance to come across small and big mammals. The different wildlife to expect to encounter on your game drive include Rothschild giraffes, Uganda Kobs, oribis, leopards, lions, buffaloes, hartebeests, and many bird species.
Drive back to the camp/lodge at a pace where you can be in position to watch more wildlife. At the lodge, you will be served a delicious lunch with some refreshments. Have a short rest then join your captain for a boat cruise which will begin at the Paraa Jetty.
The boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls will be enjoyed on the Victoria Nile. It will run for 2-3 hours as you keep an eye on hippos, basking Nile crocodiles, and aquatic bird species.
The aquatic birds to spot include goliath herons, African jacanas, open-billed storks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers, and more. You may continue with a hike to the top of the falls about 45 minutes, but this is provided that the water levels are low at the docking point.
At the top of the falls, expect to have great moment as you observe the Nile squeeze itself in a narrow rock measuring about 7 meters. Utilize your time to take as many pictures as you can and later, you will be transferred back to the lodge by a safari vehicle.
Day 6: Drive to Kampala/Entebbe via Luweero.
Enjoy a leisurely cup of tea/coffee in your respective lodges. After, check out and you will be driven back to Kampala / Entebbe. If time allows, you may branch off to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos (optional). Enroute, you may have a stopover at Luweero for you to get some freshly harvested pineapples and fruits.
End of tour.