Tour overview

Kidepo Valley Intrigue

Tucked in the Northern most corner of Uganda on the boarder of Kenya and Sudan, Kidepo protects the most exciting faunas of Uganda national park, yet seldom visited by tourists due to the difficulty of getting there; however the great diversity of animals in this park and the alluring scenery is worth the long journey. Kidepo boast strong wilderness atmosphere, rugged mountainous scenery and exceptional game viewing and bird watching; making it the most fascinating destination in the country.

The park is studded with rocky outcrops and small hills from which one can obtain stunning views and breathtaking savannah landscape, which ends in rugged horizon. Unique carnivore endemic to the park includes the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, Cheetah, and hunting dogs. Other carnivores include lion, leopard, several cats, spotted hyena, black – backed jackal and side striped – jackal. Elephants, burshell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, waterbucks, bright gazelle, beisa oryx and roam antelope are dominant.

The Safari Highlights:

This safari will expose you to rare experiences of visiting unique cultural sites in and around Kampala; among others the earliest civilizations of Buganda Kingdom and the Buganda King’s Palace, and proceeds to learn the history of this country in our National Museum, before taking you to some of the renown heritage sites in and around Kampala including the Uganda Martyrs Shrine where 22 Christian faithful were set ablaze for refusing to renounce their faith by the Kabaka of Buganda.

The safari then journeys to the far North to give you the unforgettable experience of interacting with the Karamajong tribe inhabiting this region – a unique tribe with very authentic African culture.

Here you will also participate in amazing game viewing in Kidepo National park; one of Africa’s last great wilderness areas- a tract of rugged savannah landscape dominated by Mount Morungole and cut by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers and with their perennial running water they make Kidepo an oasis in the semi desert.

You will then return to Kampala with occasional stopovers at interesting sites along the route.

Included

  • All meals and Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All ground transportation in a comfortable 4*4 vehicle
  • Services of a full time English speaking Guide / driver
  • Water /Coffee/ Tea while on Safari
  • Game drives and Ranger fees
  • Park entrance fees
  • All Government taxes / Levies

Not Included

  • Airfare To and from Uganda
  • Visa and departure taxes at the Airport
  • Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
  • Wines ,beers and spirits & all the beverages other than the mineral water on the safari
  • Personal Insurance
  • items of personal nature e.g. telephone calls, tips and gratuity, laundry and souvenir

Day 01: ARRIVAL IN UGANDA

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to Kampala, checking in at the accommodation facility of your choice (luxury or mid-range): Imperial Royale Hotel- executive room / Kampala Serena Hotel -Executive room / Protea Hotel Kampala -executive suite. (Luxury) OR Hotel Africana, Kampala –deluxe room / Cassia Lodge – standard room/ Golf Course Hotel Kampala –deluxe room (Mid-Range) OR similar facility in each category. In case you have had an early flight to Uganda, we could take you on a brief city tour showing you unique cultural sites in and around Kampala city.

Day 02: Transfer to Kidepo via Gulu (9 - 10 hrs)

Pick up early after breafast followed by a drive Northwards via Gulu to the lands of the pastoralist Karamojong natives, arriving in the evening, lunch en route. This land also boasts of Kidepo Valley National Park, which is Uganda's second biggest National Park. Check-in dinner and overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge or the accommodation facilities of your choice (budget or luxury), where you will relax and enjoy the lodge's facilities.

Day 03: Full Day in Kidepo

This day will be spent exploring the Kidepo valley with abundant game all in one place near the river. You will wake up to a relaxed breakfast to unwind from the long journey. After that you will set off on an enchanting Ostrich drive (game drive) around the Kanangorok hot springs.

You will be rewarded with the variety and number of animals who come to drink water at the river banks. And Baboons may be seen roaming along the floor of Kidepo River and palm trees. You will then return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 04: Karamojong Cultural Village (Full day)

After breakfast you will be taken on a guided cultural village tour where you will get a unique, unforgettable experience and understanding of the Nomadic lifestyle around Karenga and Kidepo. The elders will show you the Kraals, grinding stone, local defense fences and cultural dances known as ‘Edonga’. During the tour of the Karamajong ‘manyattas’ (homesteads) you will see kraals belonging to local communities, traditional costumes, stools, spears headdress, knives, bows and arrows and jewelry among others.

There are also interesting and worthy to take handcrafted souvenirs during your tour. Not to be missed on this tour is the local community near the park staging cultural dances such as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi are worthy to see and participate in. Return to the lodge for a late lunch and then relax till evening when you will set of on a sunset game drive, exploring more of Kidepo.

Day 05: Transfer to Kampala

You will have a relaxed breakfast, followed by checkout and a drive back to Kampala using the Northern route passing via Karuma Falls arriving in the evening. Check-in dinner and overnight at the accommodation facility of your choice (budget or luxury), where you will relax and take the rest of the day at leisure till dinner and overnight.

Day 06: Departure

On this day you will say bye bye to the Pearl of Africa; our guide will pick you from the hotel at the agreed time and transfer you to the airport for your outbout flight.

End of Safari!