7 Day Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls safari

OVERVIEW

7 Days / 6 Nights

This is tour combines two great national parks in Uganda. It will take you to Kidepo Valley National Park for game drives, scenic Views and then to Murchison Falls National Park for game activities and boat cruises on the mighty River Nile.

ITINERARY

After breakfast, you will drive to Gulu town in Northern Uganda. On the way, you may decide to visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track white rhinos or do it on your return journey. You will have an opportunity to cross river Nile and ofcourse Kaluma falls before proceeding to Gulu town for overnight. We stop in Gulu town to break the would be long journey to Kidepo Valley National Park.

Drive time: 6-7 hours

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Lodge: Boma Hotel Gulu
After breakfast preferably very early in the morning, drive to Kidepo Valley National Park. On your way, you will enjoy some scenic views of the few hills that separate Acholi Land and Karamoja, you will not miss the great Manyatas on the way, cross some few seasonal rivers and arrive Kidepo Valley National Park in time for Lunch, relaxation and an evening game drive in Narus Valley.

Drive time: 3-4 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lodge: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury), Ngamoru Wilderness Camp (Mid range) Apoka Rest Camp (Budget)
After a warm cup of tea/coffee, drive to Narus Valley for your morning game drive. Narus Valley is popular for mammals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes antelopes, zebras and birds. Being the only permanent water point, many animals come to Narus valley to drink water and feed. Its where you will find the largest buffalo herds than you can find anywhere on planet earth. Chances of spotting big cats hunting are very high as well. If lucky, you may spot the rare cheeters too. Return to the Lodge for lunch, relaxation and then return to Narus Valley for an evening game drive.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lodge: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury), Ngamoru Wilderness Camp (Mid range) Apoka Rest Camp (Budget)
After breakfast, drive to Narus valley to do an extra game drive to trace wildlife that you could have missed on the two game drives done earlier on. Kidepo valley National Park are the best and you wont be disappointed. The park has observation points with binoculars and it will be your pleasure to use one of them. Return to the Lodge for Lunch, short relaxation and then drive to Kidepo Valley to visit the hot springs, the Ugand-Sudan boarder and if lucky spot the giant Ostriches which are found in this place but have been seriously poached by Sudanese. There seasonal rivers on this side so if it is a rainy season, get ready to be interrupted for few hours. Return to the lodge for overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lodge: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury), Ngamoru Wilderness Camp (Mid range) Apoka Rest Camp (Budget)
After breakfast, you will drive from Kidepo Valley National Park to Murchison Falls National Park. You will enjoy an en route game drive through the northern section of the park popularly known as Para where you will have chances of spotting many mammals and if luck strikes, big cats hunting. Cross the ferry and overnight in the Park.

Drive time: 6-7 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lodge: Baker’s Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge (Mid Ranger) Red Chilli (Budget)
After breakfast, you will cross the ferry for an evening game drive in Paraa. Its at this time that most animals are feeding while predators are hunting. You will not miss out on spotting buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, hippos, antelopes and so much more. Depending on your luck of the day, you may spot large cats hunting as well. Return to the lodge for lunch followed by an afternoon boat cruise to the base of the might Victoria falls on River Nile. On this boat cruise, you will have an opportunity to spot many water birds that include crocodiles, hippos, water birds, and other land animals that come to drink water here. Return to the Lodge for Dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lodge: Baker’s Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge (Mid Ranger) Red Chilli (Budget)

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Gorilla permits: We encourage you to book gorilla permits in advance so that we secure your trekking spot. Gorilla permits are served on first come first serve at Uganda wildlife Authority. Please contact us so that we book them for you.

Cost of the gorilla permit: The gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 for Non-Foreign residents, USD700 for East African Foreign Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa Residents and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens, cost applies for trekking in Both Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking Regions: Bwindi has 4 gorilla trekking sectors namely Buhoma, Ruhaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. We shall book for you accommodation in respect to the permits location.

Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be physically demanding, a certain level of fitness will be required, please ensure you are in good health and have a certain level of fitness before you leave your country.

Packing List: Please ensure you have comfortable walking/ hiking shoes that can handle the terrain in Bwindi, a rain Jacket, gloves, Camera, Binoculars,

Age Limit: The Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above, please ensure all travelers are aged 15years and above.

Accommodation Options: Please choose the accommodation that suits your budget, Bwindi has all options of Budget, Midrange and Luxury.

Means of Transport: You can opt to fly or drive to Bwindi, Flights take 1-2 hours, and driving takes 8-9 hours drive to Bwindi. For budget clients, we recommend use of safari vans, then others can opt for Safari Land Cruisers. All vehicles are comfortable with enough leg room, AC and are driven by our professional driver guides.

Best time to visit: Bwindi can be visited all year round for gorilla trekking, The most prefered time is June to September, December to February because they are the drier months of the year.

Gorilla trekking Regulations: Uganda Wildlife Authority has rules and regulations to adhere while on your gorilla trek.

Chances of Seeing the Gorillas: The chances of seeing gorillas are 98% because there are trackers who follow the movement of gorillas on a daily basis, they communicate to the Park guides and you walk in the direction they are.

Choose a gorilla family: You can choose your preferred gorilla family of the day of the trek, if you prefer a close/ easy trek due to your fitness level, please request it and communicate to your guide.

Gorilla Habituation experience: Bwindi has an option of spending 4 hours with the gorillas called gorillas habituation, the is only possible when you book a gorilla permit that costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents, USD1000 for East African Residents, and UGX750,000 for East African Citizens

Other activities: There are several activities you can do in Bwindi namely Birding, Batwa cultural experience, Nature walks, Community visits. All these can supplement your gorilla trek in Bwindi.

Trip cost estimate: The cost of the 3day gorilla tour ranges from USD1300 to USD2860 per person, based on your travel style which is Budget to Luxury. The cost Includes gorilla permit, accommodation, Meals, transport, and all services.

About Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with half of the worlds gorilla population, it has more than 20 Habituated gorilla families in regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.

PRICING PER PERSON

This safari is available on a private basis, so you can contact us for a quote. Provides us with details of how many people you will be in a group, when you intend to travel, and one of our specialists will reply to you as soon as we receive your email.