6 Days Safari Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park - Ravina Tours & Travel Ltd

6 Days Safari Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park

A Guide/Driver from Mission Africa Safaris will pick you from the airport or your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala and brief you about the tour. You will then start the journey to the park. The journey to Murchison Falls National Park is interesting because you will be passing through amazing countryside. Passing through this part of Uganda provides an opportunity to observe the locals working in their farms or doing business by the roadside. You may ask the Guide to stop briefly for you to buy some of the tasty local fruits. Tropical fruits are naturally sweat and nutritious because they are exposed to more direct sunlight. As you continue your journey to the Murchison Falls, you will notice that there are a lot of pastoral communities by the roadside. These pastoralists sell their milk products by the roadside at very reasonable prices for Ugandan’s returning from long trips to the countryside

Once you reach Nakasongola, you should prepare for a long stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Unfortunately, the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place where one can spot Rhinos in Uganda. Uganda once had over 1000 Rhinos roaming freely in the open plains. Extensive poaching wiped them out from the national parks. When less than 8 remained in the wild, they were transferred to this sanctuary for greater protection. The sanctuary now has about 20 individuals and there is a plan to transfer them to the national parks once their numbers grow. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a large facility with amazing opportunities for nature walks, birding and primates viewing. As you tour the facility, you will be in the company of researchers and game rangers who will share with you all that you need to know about Rhinos. Lunch is served immediately after touring the sanctuary. After lunch, you will then continue your journey to the park where you will go straight to the top of the Murchison falls. Your Dinner and overnight can be at Chobe safari lodge or Paara safari lodge for Luxury. The mid-range lodge is Pakuba safari lodge or Murchison river lodge. If you are traveling on budget you can stay at Budongo eco lodge, Sambiya river bandas or Red chillis.

A Guide/Driver from Mission Africa Safaris will pick you from the airport or your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala and brief you about the tour. You will then start the journey to the park. The journey to Murchison Falls National Park is interesting because you will be passing through amazing countryside. Passing through this part of Uganda provides an opportunity to observe the locals working in their farms or doing business by the roadside. You may ask the Guide to stop briefly for you to buy some of the tasty local fruits. Tropical fruits are naturally sweat and nutritious because they are exposed to more direct sunlight. As you continue your journey to the Murchison Falls, you will notice that there are a lot of pastoral communities by the roadside. These pastoralists sell their milk products by the roadside at very reasonable prices for Ugandan’s returning from long trips to the countryside

Once you reach Nakasongola, you should prepare for a long stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Unfortunately, the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place where one can spot Rhinos in Uganda. Uganda once had over 1000 Rhinos roaming freely in the open plains. Extensive poaching wiped them out from the national parks. When less than 8 remained in the wild, they were transferred to this sanctuary for greater protection. The sanctuary now has about 20 individuals and there is a plan to transfer them to the national parks once their numbers grow. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a large facility with amazing opportunities for nature walks, birding and primates viewing. As you tour the facility, you will be in the company of researchers and game rangers who will share with you all that you need to know about Rhinos. Lunch is served immediately after touring the sanctuary. After lunch, you will then continue your journey to the park where you will go straight to the top of the Murchison falls. Your Dinner and overnight can be at Chobe safari lodge or Paara safari lodge for Luxury. The mid-range lodge is Pakuba safari lodge or Murchison river lodge. If you are traveling on budget you can stay at Budongo eco lodge, Sambiya river bandas or Red chillis.

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 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).

Wake early in the morning and take breakfast as you wait for the Guide to take you for the game drive. The game drive will be done at the Narus Valley before the sun comes up. The Narus valley is named after its only permanent water source – the Narus River. 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, jackals, klipspringers, elands and Jackson’s hartebeests among other antelopes. Kidepo Valley like most national parks in Uganda is a birders paradise. The ostrich is the largest but you will also encounter rare species that are only seen in semi-arid regions. 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 are nomadic pastoralists whose lives are centered around their cattle. The Karamojong believe that all cattle in the world belong to them. 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. The current government was forced to disarm them eventually bring peace to the region.

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.

Wake 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. Their numbers are threatened by poachers from South Sudan but the park authorities seem to be 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.

These days can be spent at your leisure, enjoying all the wonderful resort facilities—spa, massage, poolside sunbathing, or a dip in the ocean. For the more adventurous traveller, you may wish to indulge in a diving experience or head off on one of the many day tours available.

All our safaris are on private.
Children aged between 0-2 years are free of charge.
Children aged 3-12 years pays 50% of adult rates when sharing same room with adults.
Children aged 3-12 years pays 75% of rates when staying on their own room separate from adults.
Children of 12 years and above are recognized as adults

±Included

Park fees(For non-residents)
All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)

˜Excluded

International flights(From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)