10 Days wildlife and cultural tour
10 Days wildlife and cultural tour
10 Days wildlife and cultural tour : This 10 Days magnificent wildlife and cultural safari takes you the the south, northeastern Uganda and eastern Uganda to Murchison falls, Kidepo national park and Sipi falls. These destinations are one of the best places to visit while on a Uganda safari. Karamoja region is one of the unexplored regions in Uganda yet with a lot to explore in relation to culture and wildlife Uganda safaris. It is located in the far North-eastern part of and its home to the rich cultural encounter of the Karamojong ethnic groups and the 3rd largest national park of Uganda – Kidepo national park which is home to rich variety of animals with spectacular scenery. Karamonja region has the most interesting and unique culture to explore while on a Uganda cultural safari. The Karamojong people are believed to have migrated 1600 AD from Ethiopian highlands, and settled in the present day Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The Karamong people are divided in about 7 ethnic tribes including; the Jie, Bokora, Pian, Pokoth, Dodoth, Lebtur, and Matheniko who now live on the plains and mountains of the indigenous inhabitants, the IK and the Tepeth. The Karamonja people are mainly pastoralists recognized by their traditional dress code that is similar to the Masai of Kenya and Tanzania.
Murchison falls national park on the other hand is the largest savannah national park in Uganda with a variety of animals and also home of the magnificent and most powerful waterfalls on River Nile which is the largest national park in Uganda offering a variety of attractions. Murchison falls is bisected by River Nile home to hippos and Nile crocodiles. The park hosts 75 mammals and 451 species of birds. It offers classic African wildlife viewing safari all year round but the dry season from December to February and June to September is the best time to visit the park. The park is divided into 2 sectors; the southern sector which include Budongo forest and the northern sector which is the park’s tourism hub. The south is separated from the north by River Nile and the ferry is used to cross vehicles and luggage to and from both sectors. The most unique attraction in park is the great Murchison falls (the world’s most powerful waterfalls). The Nile River divides the park into north and south sections, the Murchison falls is characterized by eternal war between rocks and water. The waters violently compress through a narrow 7 meters’ gorge, spraying misty droplets along their wake over a 50 meters radius to a spot that is called the “Devil’s cauldron” This creates a permanent rainbow over the battlefield and causes a continuous roar.
Sipi falls is located on the foothills of Mount Elgon and they are said to be most beautiful waterfalls in Uganda and consists of 3 waterfalls separated by steep hillsides outside the boundary of Mount Elgon national park. Sipi falls has therefore earned being called the most visited tourism site in Uganda.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Pick up and transfer for Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino tracking and Top of the falls visit
Day 2: Game drive and launch cruise at the bottom of the falls – hike to the top of the falls
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo national park
Day 4: Full day game drive – Narus valley and Kidepo valley
Day 5: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4hrs up, 2hrs down)
Day 6: Visit the Dodoth community – Transfer to Kotido and visit the Jie community
Day 7: Visit the traditional cattle market (in case it’s open) – Transfer to Moroto (Overnight in a Kraal)
Day 8: Experience life in a Karamojong village
Day 9: Transfer to Sipi falls
Day 10: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed safari
Day 1: Pick up and transfer for Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino tracking and Top of the falls visit
On the 1st day of your 10 Days wildlife and cultural tour, you will be picked up from your hotel after breakfast and transferred to Murchison Falls National Park-Uganda’s largest national park. The park is a habitat for big 4 game including elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards. You will first connect to Ziwa rhino sanctuary for a 2-3 hours’ rhino trekking experience with en-route lunch then proceed to enter the park. Connect to your lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at Heritage Safari lodge for budget/Pakuba Safari lodge for mid-range/Paraa Safari lodge for luxury
Day 2: Game drive and launch cruise at the bottom of the falls – hike to the top of the falls
After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will go for a morning game drive on the Northern Bank of River Nile. The activity takes about 3-5 hours and be able to view variety of wildlife including elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Hartebeest, Uganda kobs, Oribis and waterbucks. After the drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon go for a launch cruise on the along the Nile which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the river banks like kingfisher, cormorants and bee-eater. After viewing the falls at the bottom, hike to visit the top of the falls, the magnificent falls. Thereafter after, meet your driver at the top of the falls and transfer you back to your lodge with en-route evening game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at as above.
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo national park
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kidepo valley national park located in the far North-Eastern part of Uganda in the semi-arid area of the Karamojong region. It’s a 7-8 hours’ drive through the beautiful scenery of the northern region of Uganda with en-route lunch in Gulu town. Upon arrival in Kidepo national park late afternoon, proceed to check-in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Apoka Safari Lodge for luxury/Kidepo Savannah Lodge for mid-range/Apoka Rest Camp for budget
Day 4: Full day game drive – Narus valley and Kidepo valley
Wake up early and connect for a morning game drive in Narus valley. As you enjoy your game drive, bush breakfast will be served, and return for more adventure in the savannah plains of Kidepo national park on your morning game drive in Narus valley. This area is famous for finding the big 4 game including lions, elephants, leopards, and buffaloes. If you are lucky, you will spot the Cheetahs and hyenas as well. Other animals to be found include the kobs, Oribi, Zebras, the giraffes to mention a few. Return to the lodge for lunch.
Later afternoon, connect for yet another game drive in the Kidepo valley. This area is further and it is where you will find the Ostrich birds and other animals. This area is closer to South Sudan border to Uganda. You will also visit the hot springs of Kanangorok before you return to your lodge. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 5: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4hrs up, 2hrs down)
On the 5th day of your 10 Days wildlife and cultural tour, after breakfast, drive to the starting point of Mount Morungole located in the absolute northern hills of Karamoja. Here is where we find the smallest tribe of Uganda called the IK. The IK people lived in nowadays Kidepo national park but were misplaced when the area was gazetted as a national park. The IK now live on Mount Morungole ridges as a community. Visiting the IK people gives visitors a rare insight into the unique tribe/culture in Africa. You will also enjoy the beautiful scenery, the higher the climb takes you, the more breath-taking the scenes in the valleys below and into the Eastern rift valley of Kenya and over to southern Sudan. After the hike, drive to check-in at Kaabong Resort hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay
Day 6: Visit the Dodoth community – Transfer to Kotido and visit the Jie community
After breakfast, meet your guide and visit a Dodoth community. The Dodoth are the Karamojong group that settled in Kaabong area, they have a unique culture that is interesting to experience. Thereafter, transfer to Kotido which takes about 3-4 hours’ drive. Upon arrival in Kitodi, enjoy lunch then connect to visit the Jie community in Kotida. They also belong to the Karamoja tribe and they are known to be warriors. Connect to your booked hotel for dinner and overnight stay at La Maison Hotel
Day 7: Visit the traditional cattle market (in case it’s open) – Transfer to Moroto (Overnight in a Kraal)
After your breakfast, connect to visit the traditional cattle market. This market is where people can to buy and sell cattle and it only takes place on a Wednesday. So plan your trip accordingly to enable you to visit the cattle market. You will also visit the largest nomadic group in Africa who are located in Kotido district. You will participate in traditional games, daily activities as preparing staples foods, harvesting, beading, learning, dance, traditional friendly wrestling and know how to shoot using a bow and arrow.
Thereafter, transfer to Moroto. It’s about 3-4 hours’ drive with en-route lunch. Connect to a community and learn more about the Karamojong people who are the real pastoralists. Experience the typical Karamoja pastoral life by visiting a kraal with their shepherds. You will participate in bringing the cows to the Kraal, play games with the worries and tell stories and learn the monadic life of the Karamojong people. You will spend a night in a tent close to the kraal.
Day 8: Experience life in a Karamojong village
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide to enjoy and experience the Karamong culture by visiting one of the Karamojong communities. You will participate in traditional games, daily activities as preparing staples foods, harvesting, beading, learning, dance, traditional friendly wrestling and know how to shoot using a bow and arrow. These activities can be done for a whole day. Return for dinner and overnight stay at Kara-Tunga Karamoja Safari Camp
Day 9: Transfer to Sipi falls
Early morning, meet your safari guide at a location you will advise in Kampala/Entebbe and embark on your journey to Sipi falls in Kapchwora district, it’s a 6-7 hours’ drive passing through Mabira forest, Jinja, and different sugar plantations. Arrive for early lunch in Mbale town then connect to Sipi falls is located in the foothills of Mount Elgon just at the edge of Mount Elgon national park nearing the Kenya border and the falls consist of 3 waterfalls with the highest fall dropping at 100m. Depending on your ability, you can hike 2 of the waterfalls or hike all the 3 falls. Before nightfall return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Sipi River Lodge/Lacum lodge/Casa Sipi falls lodge
Day 10: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
On the 10th of your 10 Days wildlife and cultural tour, wake up for the delicious breakfast very early, check-out of the hotel and set off for Kampala with en-route lunch in Jinja town and other several stops where you will need to stretch and refresh. This journey takes about 7-8 hours on road. You will be dropped at a location you will advise in Kampala/Entebbe or connect to Entebbe airport for your onward flight back home. End of the trip
