403: Adventurers’ Road Trip

Ref: 403, 18 days

403: Adventurers’ Road Trip

$6565 per person

The Adventurers’ Road Trip takes you along the less well travelled routes to experience spectacular scenery, extraordinary wildlife and fascinating cultural adventures. Experience the real African wilderness!

SUMMARY

Release your inner explorer and get off the beaten track to eastern and northern Uganda. Along the way, you’ll find out more about the lives of the people you see; those harvesting crops, selling in markets or fishing. In addition, you’ll experience the fascinating way of life of some of Africa’s remotest tribes.

Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa because of its magnificent scenery, flora and fauna. And on this road trip you will experience real African wilderness and the rare privilege of seeing some of the world’s most endangered wildlife.

Expect a fascinating journey which will make you reflect on your own life and culture.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Enjoy the best wildlife viewing with visits to Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls national parks
  • A boat ride along the famous River Nile
  • Spend a night with the herdsmen of the Karamoja in a Kraal
  • Spend a day kayaking on the Nile
  • Visit the Ik – a remote tribe on Mt Morungole
  • Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track rhinos.

 

OVERVIEW

Day 1: Evening arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: Track Mangabeys on your way to Jinja.
Day 3: White water rafting/kayaking on the Nile.
Day 4: Drive to Sipi and learn about processing coffee
Day 5: Hike to the different waterfalls
Day 6: Transfer to Pian Upe. Nature walk to the ‘caves’
Day 7: Safari walk and game drive in the afternoon.
Day 8: Travel to Moroto. Spend an evening with the herdsmen of Karamoja
Day 9: Interact with the locals on a community walk. Travel to Kidepo
Day 10: Enjoy a nature walk in Africa’s wilderness. Game drive in the afternoon
Day 11: Visit the Ik, unique tribe on Mt Morungole.
Day 12: Travel to Gulu.
Day 13: Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 14: Another game drive. Boat ride to the bottom of the falls. Hike to the top of the falls
Day 15: Chimpanzee tracking. Travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 16: Go Rhino tracking. Proceed to Kampala
Day 17: City tour. Visit the crafts markets
Day 18: Botanical Gardens before your evening flight home

 

When is the best time of year to visit Uganda?

Although Ugandan seasons have become less predictable in recent years, peak tourist seasons usually coincide with dry seasons. When choosing your dates consider:

  • Uganda is an all-year round destination with a pleasant climate and temperatures averaging in the mid 20s0C. The huge variety in altitude means temperatures vary around the country (but this also means increased biodiversity)
  • Flight prices often increase in European/American holiday seasons
  • There are fewer tourists in low seasons so you can have the place to yourselves!
  • Many hotels offer all-year prices so the price of your visit may not change much between seasons
  • Most major roads going from the capital, Kampala, up-country are tarmac. Conditions on murram roads may worsen, to varying degrees, in rainy season
  • Rainy season can be good for birding as there is more food (bugs) available
  • If you are targeting certain birds, ask our advice on breeding and migration seasons
  • Should you plan to climb the Rwenzori mountains, dry seasons are best
  • Hiking may be better in rainy seasons when it is cooler

 

 

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Our gallery

Challenging the rapids of the Nile in Jinja
Sipi Falls in Uganda.
Karamojong during a traditional dance performance
Vervet monkey feeding in Lake Mburo national park Uganda
Boat Safari in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Wet processing on coffee farm tour Uganda
1
Day 1: Evening arrival a Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your guide who will take you to your hotel a short drive from the airport
Accommodation: Boma Hotel –  Entebbe
Meal plan: dinner available at your hotel until 22:00
2
Day 2: Track Mangabeys on your way to Jinja
On your way to Jinja, enjoy a forest walk in Mabira, a beautiful forest reserve and home to many primates and birds. After lunch, visit the Source of the River Nile as it starts its journey from Lake Victoria to Egypt.
Accommodation:  2friends – Jinja
Meal plan: B, L, D
3
Day 3: White water rafting/kayaking on the Nile.
Spend an exhilarating day on the River Nile white water rafting or kayaking, with your instructor, through the rapids or in calmer water.  Round off your day with a sunset boat cruise with BBQ and beer.
Accommodation: 2friends – Jinja
Meal plan: B, L, D
4
Day 4: Drive to Sipi and learn about processing coffee
Enjoy the sights and sounds of rural Uganda as you make your way east to Sipi, about 4 hours away. After lunch, participate in a coffee processing experience ‘from the garden to cup’. Enjoy breath-taking views over the Karamoja plains as the sun goes down.
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge– Kapchorwa
Meal plan: B, L, D
5
Day 5: Hike to the different waterfalls
Sipi has 3 waterfalls: upper, middle and lower. Choose the route of your hike, with options to visit all 3 falls and pass through the local community. The views are outstanding. If you choose a shorter hike, you are free to relax back at the lodge afterwards and perhaps enjoy the birds in the gardens.
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge– Kapchorwa
Meal plan: B, L, D
6
Day 6: Transfer to Pian Upe. Nature walk to the ‘caves’
Drive for about 2 hours to Pian Upe wildlife reserve, stopping along the way to absorb the scenery and interact with the locals you meet along the way. Take a walk in the reserve, to a rocky outcrop known as the caves, offering great views across the plains to the mountains beyond.  
Accommodation: UWA Bandas - Pian-Upe
Meal plan: B, L, D
7
Day 7: Safari walk and game drive in the afternoon
Begin your day with a 2 hour guided safari walk in the reserve; look out for the ostrich and roan antelope not found elsewhere in Uganda, as well as grazers like Jackson’s hartebeest and buffaloes and, if you’re lucky, maybe a cheetah.
Accommodation: UWA Bandas - Pian-Upe
Meal plan: B, L, D
8
Day 8: Travel to Moroto. Spend an evening with the herdsmen of Karamoja
Drive to Moroto for an amazing cultural experience with the Karamajong. Participate in their daily activities and learn how to shoot a bow and arrow, do beadwork or traditional dancing. Later spend an evening with the warriors in the kraal after helping bring the cows in.  
Accommodation: Kara-Tunga Camp –Moroto 
Meal plan: B, L, D
9
Day 9: Interact with the locals on a community walk. Travel to Kidepo
After your experience with the Karamajong, enjoy a nature walk to the Tepeth – people of the mountains – before travelling to Kidepo Valley National Park, ‘Africa’s best-kept secret’.  
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Kidepo National Park 
Meal plan: B, L, D
10
Day 10: Enjoy a nature walk in Africa’s wilderness. Game drive in the afternoon
Take a 2 hour guided safari walk in this stunningly beautiful park to get closer to the animals: zebra, eland and impala in particular. After lunch, go for a game drive to venture further into the park and see more.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Kidepo Valley National Park
Meal plan: B, L, D
11
Day 11: Visit the Ik, unique tribe on Mt Morungole
Head out very early in the morning for a serious, long day’s hiking up Morungole mountain to find the Ik people – a small, remote tribe. Spending an hour learning how they live. An authentic African experience.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Kidepo Valley National Park
Meal plan: B, L, D
12
Day 12: Travel to Gulu
After a lazy start, drive for approx. 4 hours to Gulu, an ancient slave trade town full of history. There is an option to visit Fort Patiko, a historical site about one hour from town, or relax and explore Gulu town itself.
Accommodation: Churchill Courts – Gulu
Meal plan: B, L, D
13
Day 13: Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
Enjoy a scenic 2 to 3 hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park, where you will have lunch before a game drive in the park. Afterwards, check in to your lodge and relax.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge  – Murchison Falls National Park
Meal plan: B, L, D
14
Day 14: Another game drive and an afternoon boat ride to the bottom of the falls.
Enjoy an early game drive in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and many more. Have lunch and enjoy a 2 to 3 hour boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, before alighting and hiking to the top of the falls for spectacular views.  
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls National Park
Meal plan: B, L, D
15
Day 15: Chimpanzee tracking. Travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After an early morning briefing, your ranger guide will take you tracking chimpanzees in Budongo forest. Once you find them, you spend an hour watching their daily activities and behaviour. Travel to Masindi where you will stop and enjoy lunch. Continue to the rhino sanctuary and spend a night at Amuka lodge, in the bush.  
Accommodation: Amuka Lodge - Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Meal plan: B, L, D
16
Day 16: Go Rhino tracking. Proceed to Kampala
Take a guided nature walk around the sanctuary and see the rhino up close, along with other animals and birds. After lunch, continue to Kampala and relax at your hotel.  
Accommodation:Cassia Lodge– Kampala 
Meal plan: B, L, D
17
Day 17: City tour. Visit the crafts markets
Spend the morning relaxing at your hotel, perhaps poolside, before exploring Uganda’s vibrant capital city, visit some of the site in Kampala.  Check out the sites or visit some of the craft markets and art galleries for your souvenirs. Enjoy the lively nightlife and a meal in one of the city’s many great restaurants.
Accommodation: Cassia Lodge – Kampala 
 Meal plan: B, L, D
18
Day 18: Botanical Gardens and evening flight home
Drive to Entebbe and visit the lush green botanical gardens beside Lake Victoria. Your guide will take you to the airport in good time for your flight home.   Please note: all timings and routings are approximate and subject to change at short notice.

Guide price: from US$ 6,565 per person

Based on 2 adults sharing a double room, in mid-range accommodation, in low season and travelling in a safari Land Cruiser (all our safaris and tours can be adapted to high-end, mid-range or budget versions)

 

The price for every safari depends on the number of people travelling, their ages, the time of year, whether or not international flights are included, the type of transport and accommodation used and the activities undertaken.

 

We calculate according to the specific dates of your booking because after we publish our itineraries some things may change. For example, hotels may increase their prices, exchange rates fluctuate, the government may introduce new taxes or some discounts may become available. Unfortunately, we also have to pass on surcharges imposed on us by, for example, airlines when fuel prices or airport taxes are unexpectedly increased.

 

We would be happy to prepare a quotation, based on your requirements. We normally include most costs in the price so all you need to bring with you is ‘pocket money’ for items like drinks, tips and personal shopping e.g. souvenirs.

Price includes

1 Chimp tracking permit each

A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation with a full board meal plan

Private safari vehicle with driver and fuel for this itinerary

All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary

Mineral water in transit

All government taxes

Price does not include

International flights

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs

Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per day for your guide).