8 days Kidepo and Pian Upe Wildlife Safari

You are picked up from Kampala or Entebbe at 6.00am to be able to beat the traffic jam. Travel to eastern Uganda, going through Mabira forest, jinja city home to the source of the Nile, and get to Sipi Falls in the foothills of Mount Elgon.

You will spend the afternoon taking in the amazing views of the Sipi falls in the slopes of Mount Elgon. You may also do a hike to visit the waterfalls or go out on a coffee tour in the village to experience the process of growing tea and processing it traditionally.

You will set off at 6am and transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, arriving by 7am. Immediately set out for a drive into Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve to enjoy this beautiful wilderness that receives almost no visitors, hence you get to enjoy a spectacular African bush just by yourself.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is Uganda’s second largest protected area after Murchison Falls National Park. It is a spectacular wilderness with lush savannah and a backdrop of mountains like Kadam, Napak, Mt. Elgon foothills. Some of the special animals to look out are the Cheetah and Roan Antelope. Others include Giraffes, Ostriches, Buffaloes, etc… The reserve is also home to two Ugandan endemic birds, Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis.

Pian Upe is also a custodian of vital Karamojong traditions and history that you learn through the guide and visiting the Napedet cave.

Today you will do a morning walk in Pian Upe to get upclose with nature and spot some more wildlife. Thereafter you will transfer to Moroto town for the overnight.

Optional: hiking enthusiasts can take a hiking trip to Mt. Kadam that offers brilliant views of the Karamoja plains and explore the Karamojong villages

After breakfast, you will set off to Nakapelimoru Village, the biggest cultural village in East Africa. This is by far the best place to experience Karamojong culture. You will find hundreds of Karamojong homesteads clustered in the Karamojong wilderness, where the people live their traditional lifestyle which has not been adulterated by modernity.

After an immersive cultural experience you will continue to Kidepo Valley National Park for an incredible safari experience

After early breakfast, set off into Kidepo National Park for a brilliant safari in the savannah. Kidepo National Park has been ranked the best park in Africa for landscape and great buffalo herds.

Today will be spent exploring the nearby Narus Valley that hosts most wildlife especially during the dry season because it has the only permanent water sources in the park.

Today is another day to explore the amazing wilderness. You will go deeper and visit the drier Kidepo Valley. The Kidepo Valley is drier than the Narus valley during the dry season because there is no permanent water sources hence fewer animals. But, even without a lot animals it is an amazing experience immersing in a typical African wilderness. Experience the dry sand river bed lined with borassus trees.

For the birdwatcher, you cannot miss the Kidepo Valley as there are lots birds here.

Optional: hiking lovers can have a full day hike on Mt. Morungole and double with visiting the IK tribe on the slopes of the mountains. The IK is a small tribe with a distinct culture from the dominant Karamojongs of the region.

Today you can have a beautiful morning walk in the bush before checking out and traveling to Gulu town for the overnight.

Today you drive back home in Kampala or Entebbe.

Optional activity: Along the way you may visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided walk to see the white rhinos. The sanctuary is the place to see rhinos in their natural habitat in Uganda.