9 Days Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Pian Upe Wildlife Safari

9 Days Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Pian Upe Wildlife Safari: This 9 Days Murchison falls national park, Kidepo national park, and Pian Upe wildlife features exploring Uganda’s most adventurous places, Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park with a variety of activities to do, Kidepo national park, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and Sipi falls. These create an interesting adventure exploring the different attractions they have to offer. Activities to be done include; Game viewing, Boat cruise, and Nature walk.

Safari highlights of the 9 Days Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Pian Upe Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo national park
Day 4: Game drive in Narus valley and community tour
Day 5: Game drive in Kidepo Valley
Day 6: Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Day 7: Full day at the reserve
Day 8: Transfer to Sipi Falls
Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park

Transfer to Murchison falls: Depending on your location, you will meet your safari guide and drive to Murchison Falls National Park-Uganda’s largest national park. The park is a habitat for big 4 game and the great Murchison falls. Have lunch en-route then proceed to enter the park from which you will drive to visit the top of the falls. The mighty Murchison falls are the most powerful falls in Africa that force into a narrow gorge of about 7 meters deep creating a strong sound and forming a rainbow occasionally. Thereafter, proceed to check-in your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay

Accommodation and meals (Full board)

Luxury option: Paraa Safari lodge/Nile Safari lodge
Mid-range option: Pakuba Safari lodge/Murchison River lodge
Budget option: Heritage Safari Lodge/Red Chill Rest Camp

Day 2: Game drive and Boat cruise

Game drive: After an early breakfast at your lodge, you will go for a morning game drive on the delta area which is the best place to find most of the animals that reside in the park. The activity takes about 2-3 hours spending on the availability of the animals such as the Savannah Elephants, Rothschild Giraffes, Cape Buffaloes, Lions, Hartebeest, Uganda kobs, Oribis and Waterbucks. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
Boat cruise: Later 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, you will meet your driver who will transfer you back to your lodge as above

Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo national park

Transfer to Kidepo national park: After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and transfer to Kidepo national park, located in the remote region of Karamoja in Kaboong district. It’s a 7 hours’ drive from Murchison falls national park with en-route stop on Gulu city for lunch and refreshment. Proceed via Kitgum district to connect to Kidepo national park. On reaching the park late afternoon, continue to check-in your accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation and meals

Luxury option: Apoka Safari lodge/Adere Safari lodge
Mid-range option: Kidepo Safari lodge/Nga Moru Wilderness lodge
Budget option: Apoka Rest Camp

Day 4: Game drive in Narus valley and Community tour

Game drive: 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 the 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.
Community tour: Return for lunch at the lodge and later afternoon; visit one of the communities around the park for a community tour, learning about the Karamojong culture and tradition. As you return to the park, enjoy another evening game drive for the missed animals. Before nightfall, drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above

Day 5: Game drive in Kidepo Valley

Game drive in Kidepo Valley: After breakfast, connect for yet another game drive in the Kidepo valley. This area is further from Narus valley 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 the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 6: Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve: After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and transfer to Pian Upe wildlife reserve located in the north eastern part of Uganda close to Mount Elgon national park. It’s a 5 hours’ drive from Kidepo national park driving through the bumpy roads. Upon arrival, check-in at the park headquarters and prepare to rest for the day. You will either stay your own set up tent near the park headquarters or Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas for budget option or stay at Karamojong Overland Camp for mid-range option.

Day 7: Game drive and community tour

Game drive and community tour: After your breakfast, set off for a morning game drive in the savannah plains to search for reserve residents including the cheetahs, Uganda’s only population of the Roan antelopes, the Elands, Zebras, Hartebeests, Oribis, Gunther’s Dik Dik, Uganda Kobs, Buffaloes, blue and Common Duiker and Impalas to mention a few. Return for lunch and later afternoon; visit a local Karamoja community close to the park for a rare cultural experience in dance and drama performances and also be able to learn more about the community. Before nightfall, return to your camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Transfer to Sipi Falls

Transfer to Sipi Falls: After breakfast, explore a bit more of the savannah plains for any missed animals. Thereafter, connect to Sipi fall in Kapchorwa district with about 2-3 hours’ on the road. Upon reaching with views of rolling hill, connect to check-in your lodge where you will have your lunch. After lunch, connect to visit Sipi falls. These falls comprise of 3 waterfalls with the highest fall dropping at 100m, second highest at 80m and third highest at 70m. Upon arrival in Kapchowra in rolling hills of the area in the evening, proceed to check-in your hotel/lodge close to the falls and with great views of the hills for dinner and overnight stay

Accommodation and meals (En-route lunch and half board)

Luxury option – Sipi River Lodge
Mid-range option – Lacum lodge
Budget option – Casa Sipi falls lodge

Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala

Transfer back to Kampala: After having a cup of Coffee, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala. It’s about 7 hours’ with en-route lunch through Mbale town and Jinja town. this drive is incredibly interesting driving through Lake Victoria and other attractions including the Mabira forest which is the largest rainforest in Uganda. Reach Kampala, late afternoon and your driver will drop you off at the location you advise or proceed to Entebbe airport for your onward flight.

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