6 DAYS WILDLIFE ADVENTURE AT KIDEPO AND MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

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RATE

Person ( All Ages): $ 2100

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DURATION

6 Days

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OVERVIEW

Explore, on this safari trip, two of Uganda’s National Parks that are remarkable for wildlife viewing. Both game parks, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley, are located in the northern region of Uganda where the landscape is generally flat and is covered by vast savanna grasslands supporting plenty of animals and birds. Rated the best on the continent for a spectacular landscape and great buffalo herds, Kidepo Valley National Park is arguably Africa’s finest wilderness. The Park is tucked in the remote North Eastern corner of Uganda, spanning the unadulterated rugged semi-arid valleys and savanna plains of the Karamoja region. The park is home to plenty of wildlife including several animals and birds, such as Cheetahs and Ostriches, which are not found in other national parks. Due to its distant and remote location, the park is not easily accessible within a one day’s drive. After the incredible wilderness of Kidepo, next you explore Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest National Park. It is the most popular destination for animal viewing safaris because of the big volume and variety of game and other wildlife, along with the spectacular Murchison Falls. HIGHLIGHTS • Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife sanctuary • Afternoon and morning game drives in Kidepo • Visit to the local community of the Karamajong tribe in Kidepo • Game drive in Murchison falls national park • Boat cruise on River Nile in Murchison • Hike to the top of the falls

Day 1: Kampala – Ziwa Rhino tracking – Gulu The trip starts from Kampala City or Entebbe with pick-up from the hotel at 7.00am. Travel northwards along the Kampala – Gulu highway to the Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakasongola for your first adventures. Situated about 2 hours’ drive from Kampala. There were plenty of Rhinos in Uganda but rampant poaching and civil wars of the 1970’s and early 1980’s lead to their extinction. The Sanctuary was established to breed Rhinos that later will be re-introduced back into Uganda’s National Parks where they once flourished. There is also other wildlife in Ziwa of which includes Oribi, Bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Hippos and Monkeys and over 351 bird species. After rhino trekking, we continue the journey northwards, getting to Gulu in the evening. Overnight: Boma Hotel or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 2: Kitgum – Kidepo – Afternoon game drive After breakfast, we embark on the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, where we arrive in the afternoon, check in at the lodge, have lunch and relax. Later, set out for an evening game drive in the unadulterated wilderness of Kidepo, visiting the Narus Valley located in the south of the park. This is the main game viewing area in the park mainly because of the permanent water source even during the long dry spells when the rest of the park dries out. A number of animals congregate in this area during the day to drink and cool off; Zebras, Elephants, Antelopes and large herds of Buffaloes are a common sight. Return in the evening for dinner and nightlife around the campfire. Overnight: Nga’ Moru Wilderness Camp or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 3: Morning game drive – Afternoon community tour Go for a morning game drive in the park after an early breakfast. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the rugged horizon and savanna/acacia grasslands, observing plenty of animals when you drive through the two main biomes of Kidepo – from the savanna/acacia grasslands of the Narus Valley in the south, to the semi-arid short grass of Kidepo Valley in the north near the border with South Sudan. Kidepo is very popular for cats, such as the Cheetah, Stripped Hyena, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, and Caracal, some of which cannot be found in any other park in Uganda. Other mesmerizing animals in this Park include Lions, Leopards, Zebra, Giraffe, Kob, Topi, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, and Warthog. The Ostrich is one of the conspicuous birds here and which you cannot find in any other park in Uganda. Not to be missed is the famous sand river and the Kanangorok hot springs both found in the northern most part of the park. After lunch you will visit a local community of the IK people who are very similar to the famous Masai of Kenya. Learn about their traditions and cultures, unique housing and artistry (ornaments and crafts). You shall also be treated to a traditional dance presentation, before returning to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Nga’ Moru Wilderness Camp or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park Have early breakfast, check out of the lodge and set off for Murchison Falls National Park. Stopover in Kitgum or Gulu town for early lunch, arriving in Murchison in the late afternoon; relax for the rest day of the day at the lodge. Overnight: Fort Murchison Lodge or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 5: Game Drive – Afternoon boat safari – Murchison Falls hike Be up for an early snack/tea/coffee at 6.00am and set off for a morning game drive in the park to observe plenty of animals, birds and the Park’s wonderful scenery. Explore the vast grasslands in the northern area of the park where you will be exposed to a large volume and variety of game. Sightings here include Buffaloes, Lions, Uganda Kob, Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, Hyena, Leopard, Baboons, Patas Monkeys and more. Birds are in plenty with the beautiful Carmine Bee-eater and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill being conspicuous throughout the game drive. The game drive lasts 4 hours before returning to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation till lunch. After lunch, transfer to Paraa for a Boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. On this 2-hour relaxing ride, you get to observe plenty of wild life along the Nile including Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, and other game that come to drink and cool off in the water. Water birds, including cormorants, kingfishers, herons, fish eagle, bee-eaters and more, are also abundant in the area. When the boat gets to the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls, disembark and do a 45 minutes’ hike on a trail from the bottom to the top of the falls. Enjoy the amazing views of one of the world’s strongest waterfall where the Nile squeezes through a tiny cleft of 7 meters between the rocks to explode into the whirlpool below, before the river continues on a calm course filled with plenty of wildlife as you may have observed during the boat trip. You will meet the driver at the top of the falls to transfer you back to the lodge. Overnight: Fort Murchison lodge or Standard Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 6: Murchison – Kampala After breakfast, check out of the lodge and leave for Kampala, stopping over at the Kabalega Diners in Nakasongola for lunch. Drive to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight, or if time permits, you can have a tour of Kampala city in case your flight is scheduled another day. Tour ends.

INCLUSIONS: • An experienced tour guide / driver • Accommodation and lodging • Meals per Itinerary • Airport transfers • Park fees • Bottled water • 4WD safari vehicle • Domestic flights • Emergency evacuations (AMREF)

EXCLUSIONS: • Travel Insurance • Visa and customs fees • Tips or Gratuity • International flights • Personal expenses • Cigarettes and alcohol • Souvenirs