14 Days Explore the North Eastern Wilderness of Uganda

This 14 Day Trip is designed for all who want to explore the Wilderness of the North Eastern Part of Uganda - it does NOT contain Primates! Starting at Entebbe with the shoebill boat safari Proceeding to Jinja and the roaring Nile Visiting Sipi Falls Region at Mount Elgon Moroto and the Karamojong Culture, intense Safari days in KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, one of the most remote and beautiful parks of East Africa Murchison Falls with Safaris by boat and jeep Walking with Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary The tour can start at any date of your choice.

NOTE: this tour does not cover the regions of the Primates. For Gorilla- and Chimpanzee-Tracking you must book another trip.

Highlights

• Shoebill Birding in Mabamba
• Jinja and the source of the Nile
• Sipi Falls: Waterfall hike and coffee experience
• Moroto: Karamojong Culture
• Kidepo Valley National Park: 2 Safari Days
• Murchison Falls NP with Game drives and Nile Boat Safari
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with Rhino Walking Safari

Day by Day Program

Day 1 & 2 – Entebbe

The moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived: Your Uganda safari begins. Entebbe and its international airport offer a wonderful introduction to this country full of natural treasures. The airport is practically surrounded by the waters of Africa's largest lake, and the jungle-like surroundings of the city give it a special atmosphere. You can already encounter vervet monkeys and observe fantastic birds here in Entebbe – fish eagles and ibises circle screeching, and turacos chatter in the trees.

• After arrival: Transfer upon arrival to Tilapia Lodge arranged by our shuttle driver Richard and the Tilapia Speed Boat.
• Morning: Relax in the Lodge, Tilapia Lodge by Entebbe and enjoy the Nature at the shores of Lake Victoria.
• Shoebill Boat Safari and outdoor activity advices: Our boat guide will pick you at the Guesthouse shortly before 1 pm. After a short walk you reach the boat which takes you over the lake to the Mabamba Swamps, a Ramsar wetland whose prolific birdlife includes the eagerly sought shoebill. There you change to a smaller boat. Please apply enough sun lotion - very important, come with a rain poncho in your backpack and wear a hat. Clothes can be leisure, like shorts and sandals depending on temperatures. Use the toilet before you start! The boat trip will last 3-4 hours. Following applies to all outdoor activities in Uganda: • apply sun protection even when it's cloudy, • have your rain poncho with you, even when the sun is shining, • go with a hat or cap • do not forget to take enough water water with you • early morning and towards evening apply insect repellent! • walking safaris: long trousers, closed shoes and trousers inside the socks (ANTS!)

Accommodation: Tilapia Lodge by Entebbe — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Jinja

Jinja sits on a green peninsula where the Nile begins its journey north from Lake Victoria, the source of the world's longest river. The town has a relaxed atmosphere, with tree-lined streets and colonial-era buildings hinting at its history as Uganda's second city. The mix of old Indian architecture and leafy neighborhoods gives Jinja real character.

The Nile here is young and energetic, surrounded by lush vegetation. We often bring guests here to experience the natural drama of the Nile's source and the welcoming small-town feel. The climate is warm year-round, and the area has a productive, settled quality with farms and villages nearby. Jinja offers a different side of Uganda, combining geographic significance with genuine local life and outdoor adventure.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Entebbe to Jinja Transfer time; about 2-3 hours
• Boat Trip Source of the Nile, Jinja Sailing Club

Accommodation: The Jewel and the Lake — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 & 5 – Sipi Falls

You will visit some stunning waterfalls, one of them standing 99 meters high, cascading down lush slopes. Perched high above the plains, it offers sweeping views. The falls are fed by a river flowing from the mountain’s upper reaches to the lowlands. The area is exceptionally green and fertile, with terraced hillsides and coffee plantations. The climate here is cooler and fresher, making it a pleasant retreat. Mist from the falls creates a lush microclimate year-round. You will find the scenery quite different from other parts of Uganda. The area is peaceful and undeveloped, with small villages scattered across the hillsides. Local farmers grow crops on the mountain slopes, and the landscape changes with the seasons. From various viewpoints, you can see far across the eastern plains. The combination of dramatic waterfalls, mountain scenery, and agricultural landscapes makes this a memorable stop on your journey.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Jinja to Sipi Heritage Lodge Transfer time; about 4-5 hours
• It features multiple painted panels containing distinctive geometric motifs, such as concentric circles and rays. You need sturdy shoes and about 1 to 1,5 hours for this visit It offers a glimpse into the ancient beliefs, cultural practices, and artistic expressions of the past.So a visit to Nyero Rock paintings is not just an exploration of ancient artwork but also a profound encounter with the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Iteso people. As visitors explore into the rock art, they are transported to a time of ancient rituals, beliefs, and traditions, experiencing a connection to the land's mystical past that is both fascinating and inspiring
• All Day: Sipi Falls Explore the Sipi Falls The 3 Sipi Falls can be visited by a 3 to 4 hour hike or supported by the car with 10 to 30 Minute walks
• Coffee experience the Mount Elgon area is famous for its coffee. In this elevated area you find very good Arabica coffee. Learn in the afternoon all around coffee from the plant to the cup.

Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 – Moroto

Our base in Karamoja is Moroto, which stands at the western foot of the mountain of the same name. This is the main town of the Karamojong, a semi-nomadic pastoralist people whose traditional measure of wealth is cattle.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Sipi Heritage Lodge to Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Transfer time; about 5 to 6 hours
• Visit the Karamojong, Moroto

Accommodation: Kara-Tunga Safari Camp — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 to 9 – Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is in Uganda's remote northeast, surrounded by grassy valleys and rugged peaks reaching 9,000 feet. This is one of Africa's wildest places, far from tourist paths.

We believe this park is a great spot for wildlife. You might encounter buffalo, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Lions and cheetahs are also possible sightings in this special part of East Africa.

The park is home to many kinds of antelope, like eland, hartebeest, oribi, and reedbuck. Look out for the long-legged patas monkey, a ground-dwelling primate you won't see often. Bird lovers will enjoy the 470 recorded bird species.

What makes Kidepo special is the combination of great wildlife viewing and a true wilderness feel. The sense of isolation is strong, with dramatic mountain scenery as a backdrop to your safari adventure.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Moroto to Kidepo Valley National Park Transfer time; about 4-5 hours
• Karamoja Cattle Market There is a large market near Moroto on Mondays. The Karamoja are a semi-nomadic pastoralist people whose main source of income is livestock. A local guide will accompany you to the market.
• Relax in the Lodge, Mara Safari Lodge Kidepo
• Early Morning: In Kidepo Valley National Park, your early morning game drive gets you close to the wildlife when they’re most active, and the landscapes are at their most beautiful.
• You return to the lodge for a short lunch break
• Afternoon Game Drive, Kidepo Valley National Park
• In Kidepo Valley National Park, your early morning game drive gets you close to the wildlife when they’re most active, and the landscapes are at their most beautiful.
• You return to the lodge for a short lunch break
• Afternoon Game Drive, Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation: Mara Safari Lodge Kidepo — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 & 11 – Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is situated at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley and it is Uganda’s oldest and largest safari park. Murchison is located 305 kilometers north of Kampala in Masindi District and can be accessed by road or flights. Murchison Falls National park was first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926 and is home to 76 different mammal species and 451 birds. Murchison Falls Conservation Area is made up of Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves and Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic falls, the park’s unique attraction and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river's energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda's most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Kidepo Valley National Park to Murchison Falls National Park Transfer time; about 7 to 8 hours
• Churchill Court Hotel in Gulu is the best place for a lunch break coming from our going to Kidepo
• Late afternoon Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park
• Early Morning: Early Morning Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park You set off at dawn and are excited to see the animal world awaken. In the morning, it can be chilly in the car with the roof open. Please remember to bring a scarf and a thin jacket.
• You return to the lodge for a short lunch break
• Boat Safari on the Nile to Murchison Falls. A diverse range of wildlife awaits you on the banks and in the water, and at the end, you'll see the Murchison Falls from below. This Boat Safari will be booked as a seat on the big boat not in a small private boat. A private boat is indeed the far better option as it goes closer to the shores and offers you more time to take pictures are watch the wildlife.

Accommodation: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 – Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

The thrilling opportunity to track rhinos on foot is the main attraction of Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, a non-profit organization that protects 7,000ha of dense African bush also inhabited by a wide variety of antelope, small mammals and birds. Starting with six animals relocated from outside Uganda in 2005–6, the white rhinos of Ziwa have now bred up to more than 40 individuals. The long-term plan is to reintroduce rhinos into national parks where they are now locally extinct, but for now, Ziwa is the only place in Uganda where you can see Africa's second-bulkiest land mammal in the wild.

• Early Morning: Early Morning Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park You set off at dawn and are excited to see the animal world awaken. In the morning, it can be chilly in the car with the roof open. Please remember to bring a scarf and a thin jacket.
• Visit View Point Top of Murchison Falls The Top of the Falls viewpoint is one of the park's highlights. Sturdy shoes are recommended, as it can be muddy and slippery. After descending to the lower viewpoint, don't miss the opportunity to climb to the higher Platform 1 and then on to Platform 2. You'll get very wet on the first higher platform, so you can skip it, but the WOW view is on the next level.
• Transfer by Road, Murchison Falls National Park to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Transfer time; about 2-3 hours
• Relax at the Pool in Ziwa, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - Chalets — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 – Entebbe

We return to Entebbe, the lakeshore site of Uganda's only international airport.

Rhino tracking, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife RanchFew wildlife-viewing activities are as exciting as tracking white rhinos in Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. You'll probably use a combination of driving and walking to locate these prehistoric creatures. But once you find them, viewing usually takes place on foot. This means you'll get a really good feel for how huge Africa's second-largest land animal actually is. As you explore the ranch, you should also see plenty of antelope, monkeys and birds.

• At about 8 am: Rhino walking safari, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - please wear long trousers, closed shoes and put your trouser ends inside the socks, that the ants cannot attack you. Come with a hat, enough sun protection and water.
• Transfer by Road, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch to Secrets Guest House Transfer time; about 4-5 hours

Accommodation: Secrets Guest House — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 – The end of your safari with us

Your time with us on safari in Uganda comes now to an end, but we hope to have given you many fantastic memories that will live on long after you've returned home. Travel home safely, and we hope to see you again.

• TBD: Transfer by Road, Secrets Guest House to Entebbe International Airport Transfer time; about 15 to 20 Minutes

Fully customisable

This trip is fully customisable to your preferences and can be booked as a private trip as well as a group trip. We offer accommodation packages from budget midrange to superior midrange; luxury and high-end lodges are available on request.