7-Day Big 5 and Big Cats Murchison Falls Kidepo NP

7-Day Big 5 and Big Cats Murchison Falls Kidepo NP

Spot the Big 5 & Big cats
Track Rhinos on foot
Unlimited game drives
Enjoy a boat cruise on Nile River
Experience the culture of Karamojong Nomadic Pastoralists
Interact with the local people – the Karamojong.
Travel with an expert guide rated excellent by past clients
Stay at comfortable facilities rated excellent by past clients
Pick up and drop off included

Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Murchison with a detour rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Stop At: Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Western Region
Hopefully, your flight is scheduled for an early (not past mid-day) landing in Uganda. Your safari will start from the Entebbe Airport where your guide/driver will pick you and hit the road to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include; the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely you will be fascinated by the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts 450 bird species including the elusive shoebill stork, dwarf king fisher, the white-thigh hornbill, and the Goliath heron among others.

En route, make a detour to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for your first Big 5 experience where you will have an hour of rhino tracking. Another stop will be in Masindi in order to enjoy your lunch. Continue to the park and check in to your accommodation to relax for the Evening.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Twiga Tales Safari Lodge

Day 2: Murchison game drive and launch trip to the base of the falls

Stop At: Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Western Region
After an early breakfast, tour the Northern section of Murchison with a high concentration of savannah wildlife. Enjoy game viewing and photography of elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, giraffes, Uganda kob and lions, the leopards (if you are lucky) plus a variety of bird species.
Return to your accommodation for lunch as you prepare to have a three-hour boat trip to the base of the falls. This trip is said to be the highlight of the safari in Murchison falls since it allows you to get up close to the animal species within the water. Cruise past huge hippo pods, crocodiles and numerous aquatic birds adorning the north bank on the way to the mighty waterfalls. You will have the opportunity to take thousands of pictures, so carry your camera with you if you like.
Also, proceed for a hike (if you like) to the top of the falls. The hike is a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Miss it only if you must! Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Twiga Tales Safari Lodge

Day 3: Exit Murchison and Transfer to Kidepo Valley NP

Stop At: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Region
If you ever thought of being in the real wild alone, then Kidepo is the perfect place to go. Kidepo Valley NP is Uganda’s most pristine, unexplored game reserve teaming with abundance of wildlife. While here, you get the true meaning of being in the African jungle. It is also in Kidepo Valley that you will have the opportunity to get the insight about the Karamojong Nomadic Pastoralist of Uganda.
You will have breakfast at the accommodation and then hit the road for Kidepo. This will be a long drive but you will be treated with some spectacular scenery along the drive that will make the drive even seem shorter. You will reach and do little but check into your accommodation, relax, enjoy your dinner plus the overnight rest.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Camping)

Day 4: Kidepo Game drive and community visit

Stop At: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Region
Have breakfast then set off to explore Kidepo Valley National Park. You will go for game sighting in the Narus Valley in the south of the park. This is the section of Kidepo that has savannah grasslands mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter most of the animals are found in this part of the park. During the hot afternoons, many animals collect around water sources. Expect to see large herds of Buffaloes, lots of Zebras, and antelope species and surely the lions. You will return to the accommodation for lunch and a brief repose.

Later, undertake an optional community visit where you will have the opportunity to interact with the local people – the Karamojong. You will spend a wonderful afternoon/evening with the Karamojong people and have an insight of their way of life and beliefs. At the end of the day, you will retire to your accommodation where you will enjoy your dinner and overnight rest.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Camping)

Day 5: Another game drive in Kidepo and relaxation at the accommodation

Stop At: Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Northern Region
Enjoy your breakfast then embark on yet another game drive into the park but this time head to Kidepo Valley in the northern area. The biggest highlight in this area is the famous sand bed of River Kidepo that is a seasonal river that does not flow during the long dry spells. It is lined with lush Borassus palms, creating a sight akin to an oasis in a desert. Enjoy the sights and sounds of birds in the Borassus palm.
Be on the look for ostriches, leopard (if you are lucky) and tortoises along the way. Return for lunch at your accommodation and thereafter spend the afternoon relaxing at the accommodation (probably enjoying the sounds and sight of the area).
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Camping)

Day 6: Exit Kidepo and Transfer to Mbale Town

Stop At: Mbale, Mbale, Eastern Region
Have your breakfast and set off for a transfer to Mbale Town where you will have an en route overnight rest (and continue to Jinja the next day). Mbale sits on the foot of the magnificent Elgon Mountain (which natives call Mount Masaba). While in Mbale, find time and interact with any local person to tell you the reason why Elgon is called Mount Masaba. You will surely be amazed by the legend told by the natives here. Later, you will enjoy your dinner and the overnight rest at the booked accommodation.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mbale Resort Hotel

Day 7: Transfer to Jinja (expect white water rafting), proceed to Kampala and off to Entebbe

Stop At: Jinja, Jinja, Eastern Region
Have your breakfast and hit the road for the Source of the Nile River – Jinja. Expect white water rafting. What better way to crown your safari in the Pearl of Africa than to experience firsthand the most exhilarating adventure sport – white water rafting? Get Wet! Get Wild! Get Rafting! No rafting or swimming experience is necessary. You will enjoy your lunch while in Jinja and thereafter head for Kampala (if not flying out) or Entebbe Airport (if flying out).
We do recommend for the late evening flight schedule on this day (if flying out).
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.