12 DAYS UGANDA SAFARI: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
*price p.p. incl. guide, safari jeep, hotel and park entrance fees, excl. international flight (based on six persons)
“Twelve days Uganda, off the beaten track… I probably get to see quite a lot,” you might think. And right you are! On this tour we bring you to the known and lesser known corners of this country, take you through the vibrant capital Kampala and guide you on two hikes which could not be any different.
Be amazed by the rugged nature in the remote Kidepo Valley National Park. Take a plunge on top of Mount Moroto and a shower in Sipi Falls (no soap!). And, of course, dive into the country’s culture and cuisine.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a safari in Africa, get ready to have your dream come true. Together, Murchison Falls National Park and the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary are home to the Big Five and countless other mammals, reptiles and birds. Leaving the camera bag in the hotel by accident (or on purpose) is fine on this tour. You want to keep the camera in your hands at all times anyway to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments for eternity.
Uganda is a safe country to visit (yay!). Especially if you want to join organised game drives with private guides, as you will do with us. There are, of course, some places to avoid in big cities like Kampala or Entebbe. But – as with everywhere else in the world – you’ll be fine by taking some precautions. Just some examples to be on the safe side (pun intended): don’t explore the city at night without a driver or guide, keep your valuables close to you, avoid wearing big and visible jewellery and leave some things like passports in the hotel safe.
This is an exclusive, private safari that allows you to travel at your own pace. This trip is made just for you, exactly as you want it! Our experienced travel consultants will make sure that your wishes come true. There are numerous advantages to such a trip. First, you can cruise around in a private safari vehicle and have a personal guide. It’s completely up to you what time you leave in the morning and when you come back (taking into account your guide’s advice, of course). Secondly, once you’re in a national park, you can observe specific animals or herds for as long as you like. No one will push you to move along. And lastly, knowing your wishes, your personal guide will give you the right tips, turning your trip into an unforgettable experience.
At Africa Safari Trips, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your African adventures with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalised experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular African tours and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.
Yes, yes, yes! And not only the Big Five pose for your pictures, but also hyenas, hippos, zebras or the unique Ugandan kob, and more than 1,000 bird species of all kinds and colours. And if you love primates, Uganda clearly is your place to be: the diverse jungles are home to as many as 24 species of monkeys, from the nocturnal galagos to the beautifully colored blue monkeys and the breathtaking mountain gorillas.
* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets
24/7 service 12 days All accommodations Drinking water in our safari jeeps Full board Game drives Luxurious private 4×4 Safari Jeep Park Fees Pickup and transfer airport Private guide speaking fluently English Reservation costs Fully accredited under SGR Excluded Visas Travel insurance International flights (can be booked for you on request) Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!
Day 1 Arrival at Entebbe International Airport Arrival at Entebbe International Airport Silver Karibu Guesthouse Entebbe Gold Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Platinum Protea Hotel Kampala You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, your gateway to the diverse beauty of Uganda! This is the country of adventurous mountain gorilla and chimp trekking, stunning wildlife safaris, amazing road trips and wilderness adventures by boat, bike, horse or foot. Experience the warm hospitality of the Ugandan people and be amazed by the cultural encounters with the different indigenous tribes. With us, you’ll experience it all! Our driver awaits you in the airport, carrying a sign with your name on it. Welcome to Uganda!
Karibu Guesthouse Entebbe Gold Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Platinum Protea Hotel Kampala Silver Karibu Guesthouse Entebbe Gold Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Platinum Protea Hotel Kampala Day 2 Discover Kampala and cook like the locals Kampala City Tour Silver Latitude 0 Degrees Gold Protea Hotel Kampala Platinum Protea Hotel Kampala Since the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, you get to cook delicious Ugandan food this morning. Then, with a full stomach and heart, you wander the city with a local guide to discover the well-known and lesser-known gems of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Uganda’s capital welcomes you with the perfect blend of tradition, culture and modernity. During a Kampala city tour, you’ll see what we mean. Your guide takes you to iconic landmarks like the World War Monument and Independence Monument, shows you a different side of the city in the Katanga slums, and lets you discover the beauty of the vibrant Owino Market. Here you can buy local arts and crafts, the perfect souvenirs for your loved ones. Interact with friendly people, experience the warmth of Ugandan hospitality and most importantly, taste delicious Ugandan street food at the Nakasera Market. Learn to cook delicious Ugandan food Discover the culinary side of Uganda during this fun cooking class in Kampala. Local chefs will share all their kitchen secrets (okay, almost all of them) so that you can surprise your loved ones with the yummiest souvenirs! In this hands-on experience you’ll learn about local ingredients, cooking techniques and cultural traditions. Discover the secrets of creating mouthwatering dishes like matoke (steamed green bananas), luwombo (stew cooked in banana leaves), and rolex (Ugandan street food) and enjoy them yourself afterwards. Accommodations: Silver Latitude 0 Degrees Gold Protea Hotel Kampala Platinum Protea Hotel Kampala Silver Latitude 0 Degrees Gold Protea Hotel Kampala Platinum Protea Hotel Kampala Day 3 Drive to Sipi Falls and coffee plantations tour Drive from Entebbe / Kampala to Sipi Falls Silver Sipi Heritage Lodge Gold Sipi Heritage Lodge Platinum Sipi Heritage Lodge On your way to Sipi Falls, you can enjoy a nature documentary IRL… by simply looking out the window. Once arrived, it’s time for a yummy cup of coffee and to find out, how this hot beverage from heaven is actually made.
You say goodbye to the peninsula and embark on a six-hour drive to the Sipi Falls today. The landscape slowly changes from the city and the sandy beaches of Lake Victoria to a variety of rugged and abundant green vegetation as you approach Mount Elgon National Park. Once you arrive, you see the park’s main attraction, the Sipi Falls; three waterfalls on the north-western slopes of the extinct volcano Mount Elgon. Each waterfall flows from a different altitude and together they make a very impressive sight!
The famous Sipi Falls are not just a great hiking spot, but also a paradise for coffee-lovers. Here, many farmers grow high-quality and internationally sold Arabica coffee on small pieces of land. On this tour you can experience the entire process from picking the coffee berry to drying, grinding the beans with a big wooden mortar to cooking and finally tasting the coffee yourself. Enjoy the rich aroma and taste of freshly brewed coffee whilst engaging with the hospitable community, marvelling at the stunning surroundings and supporting the local farmers. A delicious win-win-situation.
Sipi Heritage Lodge Gold Sipi Heritage Lodge Platinum Sipi Heritage Lodge Silver Sipi Heritage Lodge Gold Sipi Heritage Lodge Platinum Sipi Heritage Lodge Day 4 Hike to the Sipi Falls Hike to the Sipi Falls Silver Sipi Heritage Lodge Gold Sipi Heritage Lodge Platinum Sipi Heritage Lodge Grab your hiking shoes, towel and swimsuit: it’s time to hike to the Sipi Falls. Nestled in the stunning Mount Elgon region, the falls comprise three captivating waterfalls of more than 70 metres, with the main waterfall (and definitely the most impressive one) and its thundering cascade plunging down a 100-metre cliff! The hike takes you through lush greenery, coffee plantations and picturesque landscapes offering panoramic views – if you’re lucky, you’ll even spot a chameleon on your way. Reward yourself by swimming in one of the streams or taking a refreshing shower under the waterfall.
Sipi Heritage Lodge Gold Sipi Heritage Lodge Platinum Sipi Heritage Lodge Silver Sipi Heritage Lodge Gold Sipi Heritage Lodge Platinum Sipi Heritage Lodge Day 5 Drive from Sipi Falls to Moroto, via the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Drive from Sipi Falls to Moroto, via the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Silver Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Gold Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Platinum Kara-Tunga Safari Camp After seeing the beautiful dense and lavish green Sipi Falls in Mount Elgon National Park, you drive towards the more rocky Moroto district. It’s a 6-hour journey, long enough for a break and a stretch of the legs along the way. The Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is the perfect place for that, as it happens to have the most picturesque viewpoints. So why not stop here and enjoy your picnic lunch with an occasional elephant or giraffe passing by? It makes a long journey all the more adventurous and memorable!
Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Gold Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Platinum Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Silver Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Gold Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Platinum Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Day 6 Hiking Mount Moroto Hiking Mount Moroto Silver Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Gold Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Platinum Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Mount Moroto is the highest mountain in the Karamoja region in the east of Uganda. With its 3,000 metres, it hosts amazing hikes and at the same time, a unique cultural experience as you meet with Uganda’s mountain people. During the walk, you experience nature in all its glory as you take in the panoramic views and spot monkeys, wild cats and some of the over 200 different kinds of birds. The trail requires good physical fitness as it starts directly from Moroto and goes up the mountain via a steep path. However, once you’ve reached the peak you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view!
Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Gold Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Platinum Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Silver Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Gold Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Platinum Kara-Tunga Safari Camp Day 7 Leave Moroto for Kidepo Valley National Park Drive from Moroto to Kidepo Valley National Park Silver Kidepo Savannah Lodge Gold Kidepo Savannah Lodge Platinum Apoka Safari Lodge See the landscape changing on your way to the northeast corner of the country and experience how it feels to be away from the crowds in a truly stunning setting. Only to arrive in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda’s least visited gem (but only because it’s far!).
The 5-hour drive from the rocky Moroto district to Kidepo Valley National Park takes you ‘off the beaten track’, as the far-off Kidepo is less visited by tourists. This means the park offers more unspoiled nature and more animals, and thus a more special wildlife experience. During the drive, the beautiful Karamoja region captivates you with plenteous scenic views and spotting of buffalos, lions, zebras and antelopes.
Looking for an untouched version of Uganda where you can escape the crowds? Kidepo Valley National Park is the place! This remote haven of pristine wilderness covers over 1,442 square kilometres with savannah plains, escarpments, mountain peaks and rocky outcrops. It is home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs and not less than 475 bird species. This is also the place where you can meet the indigenous tribe of the Karamojong and discover the Kanangorok Hot Springs. Accommodations: Silver Kidepo Savannah Lodge Gold Kidepo Savannah Lodge Platinum Apoka Safari Lodge Silver Kidepo Savannah Lodge Gold Kidepo Savannah Lodge Platinum Apoka Safari Lodge Day 8 Two safaris in Kidepo Valley National Park Walking Safari in Kidepo Valley National Park Silver Kidepo Savannah Lodge Gold Kidepo Savannah Lodge Platinum Apoka Safari Lodge Discovering Kidepo Valley National Park on foot and by car gives you the chance to see as much as possible of this special park – flora, fauna and secrets only your guide would know.
During a walking safari in Kidepo Valley National Park, you can discover this natural gem from a completely different point of view. As the morning sun rises, you start your adventure with your experienced guide. Dive into a breathtaking landscape, learn more about the various plants and natural phenomena you meet on the way, and get eye-to-eye with African wildlife (or eye-to-knee in the case of giraffes). On foot, you see details and hear sounds much clearer than in a jeep. It’s probably the most natural way to go on a safari! Jeep safari in Kidepo Valley National Park During a jeep safari, our guide takes you in your private jeep on an unlimited game drive in the park. Make sure to share your expectations for this day with him, and let yourself be surprised by the suggestions he might have. Once on the road, ask any question that comes to mind and most of all: enjoy the amazing ride and sights! Kidepo Valley National Park Looking for an untouched version of Uganda where you can escape the crowds? Kidepo Valley National Park is the place! This remote haven of pristine wilderness covers over 1,442 square kilometres with savannah plains, escarpments, mountain peaks and rocky outcrops. It is home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs and not less than 475 bird species. This is also the place where you can meet the indigenous tribe of the Karamojong and discover the Kanangorok Hot Springs. Accommodations: Silver Kidepo Savannah Lodge Gold Kidepo Savannah Lodge Platinum Apoka Safari Lodge Silver Kidepo Savannah Lodge Gold Kidepo Savannah Lodge Platinum Apoka Safari Lodge Day 9 Goodbye Kidepo, hello Murchison Falls National Park Silver Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Gold Paraa Safari Lodge Platinum Paraa Safari Lodge Back on the road you have plenty of time to reminisce about the extraordinary experiences of the last days and to get ready for new ones – in Uganda’s oldest and biggest national park. On your first day here, you already get a glimpse of what awaits you the next day.
After the raw and rugged Kidepo Valley National Park, you are off to Murchison Falls National Park, the roaring jewel of northwest Uganda with the River Nile and the famous Murchison Falls as its highlights! What’s more, this park is home to an abundance of wildlife – think of animals such as zebras, giraffes, elephants, and the rare shoebill stork. A safari in Murchison Falls will surely leave lasting impressions and is absolutely worth the 8-hour drive! Murchison Falls National Park Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and oldest national park in the country, spanning an impressive 3,840 square kilometres. The park is mostly known for its vast open savannahs, where you can go on classic game drives and spot lions, elephants, giraffes, and many other animals between the long grasses. The mighty Nile River cuts through the whole park, creating dramatic whitewater rapids, a breathtaking gorge AND areas for easy-going boat safaris to see hippos, crocodiles and birds. Last but not least, the famous Murchison Falls plunge an impressive 43 meters and are a major highlight of the park (and can be seen from the boat!). Please note that all excursions mentioned must be booked separately. Accommodations: Silver Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Gold Paraa Safari Lodge Platinum Paraa Safari Lodge Silver Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Gold Paraa Safari Lodge Platinum Paraa Safari Lodge Day 10 Two safaris and a hike in Murchison Falls Jeep safari in Murchison Falls National Park Silver Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Gold Paraa Safari Lodge Platinum Paraa Safari Lodge In a jeep, with a boat and on foot – this is how you discover the best Murchison Falls National Park has to offer. Get ready to be wowed by African animals, Ugandan landscapes and captivating waterfalls.
During a jeep safari, our guide takes you in your private jeep on an unlimited game drive in the park. Make sure to share your expectations for this day with him, and let yourself be surprised by the suggestions he might have. Once on the road, ask any question that comes to mind and most of all: enjoy the amazing ride and sights! Boat Safari to the Murchison Falls Board a double-decker boat for an old-style River Nile cruise in Murchison Falls National Park! Sail up the river for two hours (and one hour back) while spotting hippos and crocodiles in the water, and several other animals on the shores. The boat eventually leads you to the bottom of the impressive 43-meter-high Murchison Falls, where you can feel the fresh water droplets on your face while seeing the water cascading down. The falls are so powerful that it’s impossible to get very close, but trust us – you’ll be impressed nevertheless!
Follow in the footsteps of famous people like Winston Churchill and climb to the top of Murchison Falls! This 45-minute hike is relatively easy as the path is paved with steps and footbridges. With some luck, you might spot baboons while enjoying the feel of the cool mist of the waterfalls on your skin during the walk. Once at the top, you marvel at the mighty, churning masses of Nile water squeeze through a narrow gorge before plunging into the depths and taking in the view over the Nile and the vast savannah landscape below you.
Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Gold Paraa Safari Lodge Platinum Paraa Safari Lodge Silver Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Gold Paraa Safari Lodge Platinum Paraa Safari Lodge Day 11 Return to Entebbe for your flight home Drive back to Entebbe/ Kampala Silver Latitude 0 Degrees Gold Protea Hotel Entebbe Platinum Protea Hotel Entebbe It’s time to make your way back to Entebbe. But not without experiencing one last highlight on the way: rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Always end with a bang, right?
As you drive back to Entebbe, you again pass through the villages with their lively marketplaces and the outstretched countryside with tea and coffee plantations, smooth green hills and the occasional wildlife waving you goodbye. After several days of sheer adventure, even the ride back to Entebbe is an experience to enjoy!
Nested in the middle of the country, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a 70 square kilometer wide paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and a safe haven for white rhinos. In fact, this is the only place where you can see white rhinos in Uganda. During a rhino trekking tour, you can not only meet these majestic animals in their natural habitat but also support the sanctuary’s conservation efforts. With a professional guide, you’ll head out searching for the grey giants. Once found, you only need to do the following: take a deep breath, say “wooooow”, take some pictures, and savour the moment. Accommodations: Silver Latitude 0 Degrees Gold Protea Hotel Entebbe Platinum Protea Hotel Entebbe Silver Latitude 0 Degrees Gold Protea Hotel Entebbe Platinum Protea Hotel Entebbe Day 12 Flight home from Entebbe (not included in the price) Flight home from Entebbe (not included in the price) This is your last day! Unfortunately, it’s time to catch your flight home from Entebbe International Airport. Sad to leave…? Not to worry! We can easily add a few days of safari to your holiday, or extend it with a few days on the shores of Lake Victoria for some whitewater rafting or other exhilarating activities!
Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!
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