7 Day African Big Five Safari
Destination:
Murchison falls, Kidepo Valley National Park and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Murchison falls National Park is 303km from Kampala taking us about 5 hrs of a charming drive. This is the largest National park in Uganda covering an area of 3840sq.km together with the Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves forms the Murchison conservation area are total coverage of 5072 sqkm. The park derives its name from the Murchison Falls on the Nile, with the most powerful water rush in the world.
Kidepo valley national park is found in the remote North Eastern part of Uganda. It is 1442 Sq Km of largely varied habitats characterized by numerous seasonal rivers, mountainous boundaries and open savannah grasslands. The local people here the Karamojong, are kin to the Masaai in Kenya and Tanzania. They are nomadic pastoralists.
Safari Highlights:
· Visit to Murchison Falls
· Ferry crossings
· Nile cruise at the bottom
· Hike to the top of the falls
· Game drives
· Community cultural visits
· Rhino walk
DAY 1: Kampala- Murchison (5-6 hrs)
Our safari day starts with your guide picking you up at your hotel at 7:00am. Enjoy a 3 hr drive to Masindi where you will have a Lunch break and then continue your drive. Enter Murchison Falls NP and enjoy a short game drive where you will observe various animals as you drive to your lodge.
Enjoy your evening as you take dips in the pool.
Dinner and overnight.
– Paraa safari lodge- Upper range
– Murchison River lodge- Medium range
– Fort Murchison- Budget range
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2: Murchison Falls National Park
We are out in the jungle early before the crack of dawn in search of the big elusive cats in an open safari vehicle. With the skillful eyes of your guide, you are likely to spot the Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Giraffe, Elephant, Oribi and Hartebeest just to mention a few.
Following your lunch at the lodge, we shall go for a cruise on the Nile waters to view the gigantic Nile crocodiles (which are the biggest in the world), Hippos cooling off from the heat as well as Buffalos and Elephants (which can be seen at the river banks) and a stunning array of charming birds dotting our skies as we sail to the base of the Murchison Falls.
For greater action, we stop at the base of Murchison and take a guided hike to the top of the falls. In addition to the amazing scenery, you will also be able to view Uhuru Falls. You will be in awe while viewing glorious Murchison Falls which has the most powerful water surge in the world!
Back at the lodge for dinner and overnight:
– Mweya safari lodge- Upper range
– Murchison river lodge- Medium range
– Fort Murchison- Budget range
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
African Big Five Safaris is a specialist East African Safari Company registered in Uganda and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators with our offices in the heart of Kampala City.
We have more than ten years’ experience in the tourism industry. Both our office and field staff have a broad knowledge of the history, people, culture, geography, birds and plants of East Africa.
Our exciting safaris include; encountering the big five, the Great Migration, birding, camping, student tours, mountain climbing, gorilla trekking, and volunteer safaris.
We offer a range of adventure tours to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
DAY 3: Murchison Falls National Park – Gulu (2 hrs)
Get up for your breakfast at leisure after which we drive out of Murchison fall’s national park heading north to Gulu. We drive to Fort Patiko also known as Samuel baker Fort. This place is very rich with history, dating to 140 years ago when Slave trade was at its peak. Enjoy the scenery of the surrounding area very different from any other place in Uganda as you take photos of this historical site.
We shall be taken through the culture and norms of the Acholi people. This will be crowned with the different dances of the Acholi. Be keen to join in. For the ladies wriggle with the beads round your waist, while for the men hit the calabash with wire strands while you nod your heads to the lyrical drum sounds of the Acholi Land!
Dinner and Overnight:
– Boma hotel/Churchill courts or the Pagoda
– Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: Gulu – Kidepo Valley National Park (4hrs)
After an early breakfast, we drive to Kidepo National Park. After lunch, we shall go and visit the locals in Loukuru village, where we shall get a wealth of information about the Karamonjong people akin to the Masai. Watch and join in the local dance; jump, jump and jump.
Dinner and overnight:
– Adere safari Lodge- Upper range
– Savannah Lodge- safari tent- Medium range
– Savannah lodge- Tents- Budget range
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5: Kidepo Valley National Park
This day, we wake up early and have our breakfast before setting off. Head towards the south Sudan border: only here in the whole of Uganda will you see ostriches in the park. The hot springs are another nature’s awe that we shall be seeing. Lots of other wilderness dwellers will be seen on our drive.
Have lunch and we shall go for a game drive in search for the big cats and their prey.
Dinner and overnight:
– Adere safari Lodge- Upper range
– Kidepo Savannah Lodge- Medium range
– Savannah lodge- Tents- Budget range
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6: Kidepo Valley National Park – Gulu (5-6hrs)
Have your breakfast and we are off to Gulu. After lunch, have a leisure walk in Gulu town.
Overnight and Dinner:
– Boma hotel/Churchill courts or the Pagoda.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 7: Gulu – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Kampala (5-6hrs)
After your breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Kampala. We then take a turn to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, in Nakasongola. It is the only place in Uganda you will see Rhinos in the wild in Uganda. This walk in search for the Rhinos will take us 1-2 hours with rich information from the ranger guide about the Rhinos. Your visit to this place is a great contribution in the reintroduction of the Rhino in Uganda.
Have Lunch and continue your drive to Kampala. Drop you at your hotel or Airport.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch
END OF SAFARI