6 Days Safari Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park
6 Days Safari Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park
We have tailored our 6 Days safari in Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley for individuals keen on witnessing all the big five mammals in two of Uganda’s largest national parks. Uganda boasts remarkable biodiversity and diverse landscapes. The most immersive way to experience this is through a visit to both the remote Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Park. Uganda’s hidden gem, sits on the border between Uganda and South Sudan in the remote northern region of Uganda.It houses a greater variety of animals than any other national park in Uganda.
Kidepo is still virgin and relatively less explored because of its remoteness and past insecurity in the surrounding areas. Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s close answer to Kenya’s Masai Mara and the Serengeti in Tanzania. If the government combined Kidepo with the Pian Upe, Bokora and Matheniko wildlife reserves, Uganda could have a national park that stands toe to toe with the best in Kenya and Tanzania.
Kidepo valley national park was described by CNN as one of the very best Africa has to offer.
Murchison falls National Park on the other hand is the largest in Uganda. It is closer to the capital Kampala and stands out because it is the only park in Uganda where one can see all the big five 6 Days safari in Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Park mammals. The park has the largest population of Roskilde Giraffe in East Africa. It is possible to combine game drives with a chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest or a visit to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.
The distance between Kampala and Kidepo is about 575 kilometers. The tour package is designed to minimize travel time at the beginning and end of your trip. There will be stops at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, Gulu and Kitgum to allow you rest as you complete the journey in shorter phases.
Day 1: Visiting the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Visit the top of the Murchison Falls
Your safari adventure with Safari Vacations and Travel Services begins with a warm welcome from our Guide/Driver, who will meet you at the airport or your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala. They will provide you with a detailed briefing about the tour before you embark on your journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive to the park is not only exciting but also offers a scenic view of the picturesque countryside of Uganda. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to witness locals tending to their farms and conducting business by the roadside. If you wish, you can ask the guide to make a brief stop for you to indulge in some delicious local fruits, known for their natural sweetness and high nutritional value due to the ample sunlight they receive.
En route to Murchison Falls, you’ll notice the presence of pastoral communities, selling their milk products at reasonable prices to fellow Ugandans returning from long trips. Upon reaching Nakasongola, a significant stop awaits you at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Regrettably, this sanctuary stands as the sole place in Uganda where Rhinos can be observed. The country once teemed with over a thousand Rhinos in its national parks, but extensive poaching drastically reduced their numbers. With fewer than eight remaining in the wild, they were relocated to this sanctuary for enhanced protection.
Presently, the sanctuary houses about 20 individuals, and there are plans to reintegrate them into national parks as their population grows. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers ample opportunities for nature walks, birdwatching, and primate viewing, with researchers and game rangers accompanying you to provide comprehensive insights about Rhinos. Following the tour, a sumptuous lunch will be served. Afterward, you’ll continue your journey to the park, heading directly to the summit of the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls.
For accommodation, options range from the luxurious Chobe Safari Lodge or Paara Safari Lodge, to the mid-range Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge. Budget travelers can opt for Budongo Eco Lodge, Sambiya River Bandas, or Red Chillis.
DAY 2: Game Drive at the Northern end of the park – Boat cruise at the bottom of the Murchison Falls
Visiting Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park You should wake up early in anticipation of a great day of activity. Take heavy breakfast and then prepare to be taken for a game drive at the northern side of the Murchison Falls National Park. Expect to see Uganda Kobs, giraffes, elephants, lions, the Topi and other antelopes. The game drive should go on for three hours after which you will return for lunch and relaxation. The boat ride on the river Nile is in the afternoon.
You will spot large elephants bathing in the river, water bucks, bush bucks, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes and countless water birds. Visiting Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Park the key thing about the boat ride is that it ends at the foot of the Murchison Falls. Prepare to be amazed by a great view of the Murchison Falls. You will clearly see as the Nile River drops 50 meters down from a narrow gorge producing a thunderous roar. After this amazing part of the day, you should return to your lodge for dinner and overnight in Paara Safari lodge or Chobe safari lodge for Luxury travel. For mid-range travel, you will stay at or Murchison River lodge or Pakuba safari lodge. As a budget traveler, you should be very comfortable in Red-Chill, Sambiya river bandas and Budongo Eco-lodge.
DAY 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After all the fun at the Murchison Falls National Park, it’s time to depart and prepare for the next adventure. Have breakfast and wait for the Guide/Driver to start the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park. You will stop in Kitgum to have lunch. This will be a long journey but we hope that the amazing countryside will keep you engaged and alert. The landscape is always changing as you pass through a tour of Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Park pockets of diminishing forest, savannah grasslands and water bodies. Much of Northern Uganda was a no go area 15 or so years ago. The Joseph Kony Rebellion deeply affected the people and landscape. You will notice vast areas without human settlements because whole communities had to abandon their villages for fear of the dreaded Kony.
Arrival is in the evening.
If you choose to sleep in tents, then you will go to the park headquarters and check your tents as you prepare for the night game drive. During the night game drive, you will look out for hunting lions, leopards and night birds. After completing your night game drive, you will return to your tent for dinner. Those who wish to spend the nights in standard cottages will stay at Apoka Rest camp or Apoka Lodge (Luxury).
DAY 4:Game Drive in the morning at the Narus Valley – Visit the local Karamojong community
Wake up early in the morning and take breakfast as you wait for the Guide to take you for the game drive. The game drive will start in the Narus Valley before sunrise. The valley is home to the largest herd of buffaloes in the world.
Look out for leopards, cheetahs and lions before they go into secluded areas to escape the suns heat. Cheetahs, Wild dogs and ostriches can only be seen in Kidepo Valley National Park while in Uganda. The game drive also offers opportunities to see jackals, waterbucks, zebras, bushbucks, hyenas, klipspringers, elands and Jackson’s hartebeests among other antelopes. Kidepo Valley like most national parks in Uganda is a birders paradise. Prepare your camera and binoculars for a truly amazing birding experience and look out for secretary birds, Bustards and the Karamoja Apalis.
Once you are done with the game drive, you will be taken for lunch as you prepare for the next activity. The afternoon activity is a cultural experience with one of Uganda’s most famous indigenous tribes in Karena and Kapedo. The Karamojong are one of the tribes that have not embraced modern cultures wholly.
They believe that all cattle in other communities or countries where stolen from them in the past. Cattle rustling by the Karamojong to seize back their lost cattle from other tribes caused insecurity in the region 15 years ago. When they learnt how to use guns after seizing them during one of the government takeovers, they became a menace to neighboring tribe.
While with the Karamojong, you will learn about their ancient culture and their love for their animals. You can buy beautifully made beads and other crafts for souvenir from them or take part in their afternoon dances. Overnight and Dinner will be at the Luxury Apoka Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest camp or one of the UWA tents for budget travelers.
DAY 5: Morning Game Drive – Visit Hot springs
Wake up early for your breakfast and go for the second game drive in another section of Kidepo. This time you will go and see Kidepo’s famous hot springs. Expect to encounter ostriches around the area. Poachers from South Sudan threaten Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Parks’ wildlife, but the park authorities are doing a good job of protecting them. Watch out for the animals previously mentioned and others you might not have seen previously. Get out of the car and go for a nature walk in the company of a ranger to discover the beautiful scenery and amazing landscape of Kidepo Valley National Park. After the game drive and nature walk, you will start the Journey to Kitgum from where you will spend the night. Dinner and overnight will be in Kitgum.
DAY 6: Departure for Kampala
Wake up early at your leisure depending on your flight schedule and take breakfast as you prepare for the journey back. The Guide/Driver will begin the journey back to Kampala through Nakasongola, Masindi and Luwero.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC with over 10 years of experience and we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. And also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish.
And for inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits; organizing transport and accommodation, getting in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid inconveniences after you have arrived for the safari.
