This 5 day Uganda trip combines the thrilling outdoor adventures of the eastern region, and the traditional Murchison Falls safari in the north. The adventurous journey through eastern Uganda includes the Jinja day tour – covering visits to Sezibwa Falls, Mabira forest and the Source of the River Nile – and another day hiking the Sipi Falls in the foothills of Mt. Elgon. After the adventures through eastern Uganda the trip continues to northern Uganda for the ultimate wildlife safari in Murchison Falls National Park where you see many animals.
You will be picked up from your residence by 6.30am, and drive through Kampala taking the route to eastern Uganda.
The first place to visit is the Sezibwa Falls that you will reach after 1 hour’s drive from Kampala. Have 1 hour walk at these cultural grounds and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls, lush scenery and observe some wildlife including birds, butterflies, monkeys, etc…
After the Sezibwa Falls tour get back on the road and continue to Mabira forest for yet another exciting nature experience. Set out on a 2 hour trek into the forest and enjoy an up-close encounter with an array of wildlife including monkeys, birds, trees, butterflies, etc…
Optional: Zip-line in Mabira forest – in addition to the nature walk in Mabira forest you can do the thrilling Canopy Super Skyway zip-line. This adventure has you cruise through the forest tops like a monkey give you such an adrenaline rush. The zip-line also gives you an insight into canopy and see wildlife such as monkeys and birds which are not easy to see from the ground. However note that if you decide to include the zip line you may have to forego the visit to the Sezibwa Falls due to limitation by time.
After the Mabira forest tour get back on the road and drive to Jinja for your lunch. You will then transfer to the Source of the Nile for a 1 hour boat ride on the Nile to Source of the Nile monument, enjoy nice views across Lake Victoria and observe plenty of water birds and other wildlife. Thereafter you shall go out and wind up the day with a thrilling evening quad bike in the countryside along the River Nile. The quad bike adventure will take you through the lush countryside and see how the people live, enjoy wonderful views of the Nile as it simmers through the beautiful landscape. The quad bikes are safe and you get to have some training before setting off.
Budget: Source of the Smile Guest House
Mid-range: Holland Park
Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you shall transfer to Sipi for the for the Sipi Falls hiking adventure! The trek to each of the 3 waterfalls covers an approximately 7km trail and can be covered in 3 hours on average. Each of the waterfalls offers unique experience. Along the trail you access wonderful views of the Mt. Elgon slopes and panoramic views of the distant Karamoja plains. The hike also goes through coffee plantations and local communities which gives a brief encounter with the local people.
On the last waterfall which is also the biggest or longest falling 100 meters, you shall do the thrilling abseiling adventure dropping just 5 meters from the falls giving you shall an adrenaline experience.
Later, after lunch and relaxing, you shall go on the “life style of coffee” tour which takes you through the local coffee garden to learn about how coffee is grown, harvested and then continue to see how it is locally processed. At the of Sipi coffee tour you shall make a cup of coffee from the coffee you harvested and processed.
Budget: Rafiki Lodge
Midrange: Sipi River Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you shall check out and travel to Murchison Falls National Park.
Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge
Midrange: Twiga Safari Lodge
Upmarket: Paraa Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Have an early cup of tea with a snack and head to the park for the game drive to watch the animals and beautiful savanna landscape. Commonly sighted animals include Lions, Hyena, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Warthogs, Hippos, and several species of Antelope. For the birdwatchers you will observe many savanna species, the Abyssinian Ground Hornbills and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters are a common sight. The game drive is about 4 hours long, and then you shall return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. After lunch head out for the Boat Cruise safari on the River Nile and you will enjoy sighting an array of wildlife by the river banks including Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, Buffaloes, Antelopes and lots of water birds. After cruising for about 2 hours downstream you will reach the bottom of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Leave the boat and join a ranger guide for a 45 minute hike to the top of the Murchison Falls adventure. Enjoy breathtaking views as the entire River Nile squeezes between a narrow ridge of only 7 meters wide and explodes with a roar. At the top you will meet the tour driver and you will be driven back to the lodge for the overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast check out and transfer back to Kampala. You will have lunch en-route at the Kabarega Diner in Nakasongola.
Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Along the way you can stop over at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided trek on the sanctuary to see the only rhinos in the wild in Uganda
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch