6 Days Wildlife Adventure at Kidepo and Murchison Falls: Unique Cheetahs and Uganda's Stunning Falls

This trip involves viewing one of the most unique cats (cheetah) as well as the most beautiful fall in Uganda (Murchison falls).

Duration: 6 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Kampala – Ziwa Rhino Tracking – Gulu

Rhino Fund Uganda - The journey begins from Kampala City or Entebbe with a hotel pick-up at 7:00 am. Travel north along the Kampala – Gulu highway to the Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakasongola for your initial adventures. Located approximately a 2-hour drive from Kampala, Uganda once had an abundance of Rhinos, but extensive poaching and civil wars in the 1970s and early 1980s led to their extinction. The Sanctuary was created to breed Rhinos for reintroduction into Uganda’s National Parks where they once thrived. Ziwa is also home to other wildlife including Oribi, Bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Hippos, Monkeys, and over 351 bird species. After rhino trekking, continue the journey north, arriving in Gulu by evening.

Kitgum – Kidepo – Afternoon Game Drive

Kidepo Valley National Park - After breakfast, embark on the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving in the afternoon. Check in at the lodge, enjoy lunch, and relax. Later, set out for an evening game drive in the pristine wilderness of Kidepo, visiting the Narus Valley in the park’s south. This is the main game viewing area due to its permanent water source, even during long dry spells when the rest of the park dries out. Numerous animals gather here during the day to drink and cool off; Zebras, Elephants, Antelopes, and large herds of Buffaloes are commonly seen. Return in the evening for dinner and enjoy the nightlife around the campfire.

Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Community Tour

Kidepo Valley National Park - After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in the park. Enjoy the stunning sunrise over the rugged horizon and savanna/acacia grasslands, observing a variety of animals as you drive through Kidepo’s two main biomes – from the savanna/acacia grasslands of the Narus Valley in the south to the semi-arid short grass of Kidepo Valley in the north near the South Sudan border. Kidepo is renowned for its cats, such as the Cheetah, Striped Hyena, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, and Caracal, some of which are not found in any other park in Uganda. Other fascinating animals in this park include Lions, Leopards, Zebra, Giraffe, Kob, Topi, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, and Warthog. The Ostrich is a notable bird here, not found in any other park in Uganda. Don’t miss the famous sand river and the Kanangorok hot springs, both located in the park’s northernmost part.

Kidepo Valley National Park - After lunch, visit a local community of the IK people, who are similar to the renowned Masai of Kenya. Learn about their traditions and cultures, unique housing, and artistry (ornaments and crafts). Enjoy a traditional dance presentation before returning to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park - Enjoy an early breakfast, check out of the lodge, and set off for Murchison Falls National Park. Stop in Kitgum or Gulu town for an early lunch, arriving in Murchison in the late afternoon; relax for the remainder of the day at the lodge.

Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Safari – Murchison Falls Hike

Murchison Falls National Park - Start the day with an early snack/tea/coffee at 6:00 am and set off for a morning game drive in the park to observe a variety of animals, birds, and the park’s stunning scenery. Explore the vast grasslands in the park’s northern area, where you will encounter a large volume and variety of game. Sightings include Buffaloes, Lions, Uganda Kob, Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, Hyena, Leopard, Baboons, Patas Monkeys, and more. Birds are abundant, with the beautiful Carmine Bee-eater and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill being prominent throughout the game drive. The game drive lasts 4 hours before returning to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation until lunch.

Murchison Falls National Park - After lunch, transfer to Paraa for a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. On this 2-hour relaxing ride, observe plenty of wildlife along the Nile, including Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, and other game that come to drink and cool off in the water. Water birds, including cormorants, kingfishers, herons, fish eagles, bee-eaters, and more, are also abundant in the area. When the boat reaches the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls, disembark and take a 45-minute hike on a trail from the bottom to the top of the falls. Enjoy the breathtaking views of one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow cleft of 7 meters between the rocks to explode into the whirlpool below, before the river continues on a calm course filled with abundant wildlife as observed during the boat trip. Meet the driver at the top of the falls for a transfer back to the lodge.

Murchison – Kampala

Kampala - After breakfast, check out of the lodge and depart for Kampala, stopping at the Kabalega Diners in Nakasongola for lunch. Proceed to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight, or if time allows, enjoy a tour of Kampala city if your flight is scheduled for another day. The tour concludes.

What's Included