Main Info
Kidepo Valley National Park is surely among the most scenic in Africa and gives a real feeling of wilderness. It’s huge herd of buffalo, numerous elephant, giraffe, eland and other smaller antelope help support a good number of lion, leopard, hyena and even some cheetah. This essential Kidepo safari includes rhino tracking and the spirit of adventure as you journey through Karamoja.
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Itinerary
Early departure from Kampala/Jinja. Travel through the villages of rural southern Uganda. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Trekking. This is a great opportunity to see these magnificent beasts on foot in a controlled natural environment where the Rhinos are free to roam within the huge sanctuary but are guarded 24/7. The fee you pay goes 100% to Rhino Fund Uganda, who are working hard to establish a viable Rhino population here so the underthreat Rhino can be reintroduced into Ugandas national parks.
After lunch we head on northwards across the Kafu river and then across the Nile at Karuma Falls and a quick break to take in the impressive rapids. In the early evening we reach our destination for the night, ‘the capital of the north’, Gulu. Gulu is a rapidly expanding town recovering from its isolation due to the activities of Joseph Kony and the LRA. Your accommodation for the night is at the mid-range Churchill Courts Hotel (or suitable equivalent)
After breakfast we take the road north to Kitgum. The tarmac is over and conditions dictate our progress but we expect to take around 2-2.5 hours through the rural north before a quick break in Kitgum. From Kitgum we head north-east to Kidepo Valley National Park. This is a stunning drive as we head into increasingly mountainous terrain before finally bursting through the mountain pass with the beautiful Kidepo Valley National Park laid out before us. We arrive at Apoka Safari Lodge in time for lunch and an opportunity to stretch your legs and take in the view from the lodge, your room or the swimming pool. In the early evening we take a short game drive into the Narus Valley wetland to see what we can see before enjoying a sundowner from the viewpoint over the valley. Dinner at the lodge and the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness from the comfort of the lounge.
Sunrise over the plains and then breakfast either at the lodge or even out in the bush! Then we begin our day of game viewing with another visit into the Narus valley in search of lion, elephant, giraffe, eland, zebra, and leopard and to marvel at the sight of the huge herd of buffalo grazing in the wetland. We return to the lodge to freshen up before heading towards the seasonal Kidepo river in search of cheetah and ostirch. We take a packed lunch among the Barassas palms at the Kidepo river, from which the area take their name before returning to the lodge in the mid afternoon. You can find a nice shady spot to relax by the pool or take the optional nature walk or community visit before dinner and the enchanting equatorial night skies light the savannah at your feet.
Up in time for sunrise again and a leisurely breakfast before the long journey ahead. One final chance to see some wildlife on our way out of the park and the reverse journey to Kitgum. After a short break in Kitgum we head south to Lira where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head further south through the marshland of eastern Uganda before we climb into the foothills of Mount Elgon and our accommodation nestled on the banks of the Sipi River. Dinner by a roaring fire to ward off the chill of the fresh mountain air.
Breakfast and the local coffee followed by either relaxing taking in the great views and crisp fresh air or the option of long or short walks to the some of the series of falls. It’s an interesting walk through farmland to the foot of Sipi Falls or up to the higher falls. Not a long walk but a steep one! After lunch we depart Sipi and head to Jinja or on to Kampala (depending on itinerary) in the afternoon.
