6 Days Murchison Falls & Kidepo Valley National Parks
6 Days Murchison Falls & Kidepo Valley National Parks
6 Days Murchison Falls & Kidepo Valley National Parks: This 6 Days Uganda safari takes you to two of the best national parks in the northern part of Uganda- Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. Expect the see roaring rapids of the famous Murchison Falls, the rolling plains of the largest national park in Uganda; with the abundance of wildlife and bird species including the elusive shoebill stork. From Murchison, proceed to Kidepo Valley National Park located in Kaboong district in the far northeastern part of Uganda. Kidepo is Uganda’s most pristine and least explored game reserve teaming with the abundance of wildlife. While in the national park, you get the true meaning of being in the African jungle. Exit Kidepo and return to Entebbe for your flight out.
Highlights for 6 Days Murchison Falls & Kidepo Valley National Parks.
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Murchison with a detour rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 2: Murchison game drive and launch trip to the base of the falls.
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Day 4: Kidepo Game drive and community visit.
Day 5: Another game drive in Kidepo and Transfer to Gulu.
Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala- Whole day drive
Detailed Itinerary of 6 Days Murchison Falls & Kidepo Valley National Parks.
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Murchison with a detour rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Your safari starts from Entebbe Airport where your guide/driver will pick you and hit the road to Murchison Falls NP. The highlights of this park include; the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely you will be fascinated by the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts 450 bird species including the elusive shoebill stork, dwarf king fisher, the white-thigh hornbill, and the Goliath heron among others.
En route, make a detour to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for your first Big 5 experience where you will have an hour of rhino tracking. Another stop will be in Masindi in order to enjoy your lunch. Continue to the park and check in to your accommodation to relax for the Evening with dinner and overnight at Heritage Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Paara Safari Lodge.
Day 2: Murchison game drive and launch trip to the base of the falls.
Morning Game Drive: After an early breakfast, tour the Northern section of Murchison falls national park with a high concentration of savannah wildlife. Enjoy game viewing and photography of elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, giraffes, Uganda Kob and lions, leopards (if you are lucky) plus a variety of bird species.
Afternoon Boat Cruise: Return to your accommodation for lunch as you prepare for a 3hour boat trip to the base of the falls. This trip is said to be the highlight of the safari in Murchison falls since it allows you to get up close to the animal species within the water. Cruise past huge hippo pods, crocodiles and numerous aquatic birds adorning the north bank on the way to the mighty waterfalls.
You will have the opportunity to take thousands of pictures, so carry your camera with you if you like.
Optional Hike to Top of the Falls: Also, proceed for a hike (if you like) to the top of the falls. The hike is a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Miss it only if you must! You will return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight at same lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Transfer to Kidepo: If you ever thought of being in the real wild alone, then Kidepo is the perfect place to go. Kidepo Valley National Park is the most pristine and yet least explored game reserve in Uganda; with abundance of wildlife. While here, you get the true meaning of being in the African jungle. It is also in Kidepo Valley that you will have the opportunity to get the insight about the Karamojong Nomadic Pastoralists in Uganda.
You will have breakfast at the accommodation and then hit the road for Kidepo. This will be a long drive but you will be treated with some spectacular scenery along the drive that will make the drive even seem shorter. You will reach and do little but check into your accommodation, relax, enjoy your dinner plus the overnight rest. Dinner and overnight at Apoka Lodge
Day 4: Kidepo Game drive and community visit.
Game Drive: Have breakfast then set off to explore the beautiful wilderness in Kidepo Valley National Park. You will go for game sighting in the Narus Valley in the south of the park. This is the section of Kidepo that has savannah grasslands mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter most of the animals are found in this part of the park. During the hot afternoons, many animals collect around water sources. Expect to see large herds of Buffaloes, lots of Zebras, and antelope species and surely the lions.
You will return to the accommodation for lunch and a brief repose.
Community Visit: Later, undertake a community visit in Kidepo where you will have the opportunity to interact with the local people – the Karamojong. You will spend a wonderful afternoon/evening with the Karamojong people and have an insight of their way of life and beliefs. At the end of the day, you will retire to your accommodation where you will enjoy your dinner and overnight rest.
Day 5: Another game drive in Kidepo and Transfer to Gulu.
Game Drive: Enjoy your breakfast then embark on yet another game drive into the park but this time head to Kidepo Valley in the northern area. The biggest highlight in this area is the famous sand bed of River Kidepo that is a seasonal river that does not flow during the long dry spells. It is lined with lush Borassus palms, creating a sight akin to an oasis in a desert. Enjoy the sights and sounds of birds in the Borassus palm. Be on the look for ostriches, leopard (if you are lucky) and tortoises along the way. Return for lunch at your accommodation.
Transfer to Gulu: After having your lunch, embark on a 5 hour drive to Gulu town where you will check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at same lodge.
Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala- Whole day drive
Transfer back to Kampala & Departure: Have your breakfast and set off for the return to Kampala. This will be a long drive but you will be treated with some spectacular scenery sightings en route. Lunch will be en route. Arrive in Kampala in the evening and drive to a hotel of your choice. In case you are planning to fly back home on this day, please make sure that your return flight is scheduled for late night (between 9pm-12am). End of Tour.
Please Note: There is also an option of flying to and from Kidepo Valley National Park in case you are not comfortable with the long hours of driving to and from the park. Kindly let us know in advance if you prefer this option.
