25 Days Kenya & Uganda Camping

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival & Optional Nairobi City Experience – Nairobi, Kenya

Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be received by our guide/driver. He will then transfer you to your booked hotel for briefing, dinner and overnight stay. Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city, the third largest in Africa. This former colonial outpost has boomed in recent years with a flurry of buildings being raised to accommodate the huge number of people that travel here looking for work and leisure. Take advantage of Nairobi’s cosmopolitan atmosphere if you arrive early. Markets and shops sell essentials and arts and crafts from the region, as well as good hang-outs.

Accommodation: Safari Park Hotel (Luxury) Safari Park Hotel (Mid-range) Lotos Inn & Suites (Room)

Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer – Lake Nakuru National Park

The epic Great Rift Valley can be seen from Lake Nakuru National Park, located at the heart of the region, as well as Lake Naivasha and Lake Elementaita. In the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park offers sweeping views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, and Elementaita. As you approach the lake, you will have time to take a quick evening game drive. Located around a lake, Lake Nakuru National Park makes for a great location to see wildlife. There is a great chance to get a great picture of rhinos at Lake Nakuru, as well as the other members of the Big Five.

Accommodation: Mbweha Camp (Luxury) Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (Mid-range) Punda Milias Camp (Tent) (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 3: Game drive & Transfer – Maasai Mara Game Reserve

Enjoy a dawn game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park before driving out to the famous Masai Mara National Park this morning. Visit Tepesua Village and Loita Hills on the way, home of the traditional Maasai people.

The flat landscapes of the Masai Mara are unforgettable in their grandeur. This is the cliché of Africa. Land of The Lion King, of great herds of animals crossing savannah dotted with acacia trees. Of sunsets that paint the sky purple, pink and orange. It’s the place of the Great Migration. Witness millions of wildebeest and zebra leaping into a crocodile-filled river in order to reach the fertile pastures of the Mara. This is the home of the predator, with more cats per acre than anywhere else in the world. Bones litter the plains, vultures circle, and hyenas skulk. Explore this diverse environment and view a multitude of wildlife on an evening 4×4 game drive.

Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (Luxury) Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (Mid-range) Enchoro Wildlife Camp (Tent) (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 4: Game drives & Optional Balloon ride – Masai Mara National Reserve

After your tasty breakfast, you will spend the entire day exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve on a 4×4 game drive. An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. You will be picked up before dawn for the safety briefing by your pilot if you pre-booked this activity. During the glide, you will often be at tree height, which is perfect for photographs. It is also possible to ascend, getting a greater perspective on the vastness of the plains and the movement of the teeming herds early in the morning. A bush breakfast will be served to you after landing, and you will be taken back to your campsite afterwards for lunch or to continue with the picnic lunch on an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (Luxury) Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (Mid-range) Enchoro Wildlife Camp (Tent) (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 5: Transfer – Sipi Falls, Uganda

After leaving Kenya, you will cross the border into Uganda, where you will travel on to Sipi Falls-Kapchorwa, Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda within the districts of Kapchorwa, Sironko and Mbale town. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. Sipi Falls is approximately 277km from Kampala, Uganda’s capital in the Kapchorwa district. After a long day of travel, stay at a hotel instead of setting up camp today. Before going to bed, enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the hotel.

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge (Luxury) Sipi River Lodge (Mid-range) Lacam Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 6: Sipi Falls Hike & Coffee Tour – Sipi Falls

After an early breakfast, you will embark on a guided hike to explore the stunning Sipi Falls. Sipi Falls a series of three waterfalls nestled amidst beautiful landscapes, offering breathtaking views. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pools and marvel at the picturesque scenery. Later after your delicious lunch, you will head out for the coffee tour in the local community surrounding Sipi Falls. Learn about the coffee production process, from planting to harvesting to processing, and sample some locally brewed coffee. Interact with the friendly local community and get insights into their way of life. Visit a nearby village and immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions. Return to your lodge in the evening for relaxation or take on an optional sunset walk.

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge (Luxury) Sipi River Lodge (Mid-range) Lacam Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 7: Transfer & En-route Walking Safari in Pian Upe – Moroto

Today you will have breakfast at leisure, then transfer to Karamoja via Pian Upe for a walking safari within the park and enjoy the stunning views of the flat lands at Napedet Cave (Elephant Rock). Pian Upe Game Reserve is one of the largest and most remote protected areas in Uganda, with a diverse range of wildlife such as elands, leopards, Antelopes, giraffes and a haven for birdlife. Later, proceed to Moroto for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Kara-tunga Safari Camp (Luxury) Kara-tunga Safari Camp (Mid-range) Kara-tunga Safari Camp (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 8: Village Experience (Homestay) & Cycling tour – Karamoja

After breakfast, you will spend the rest of the day exploring the Karamojong communities on foot and bicycle. You will get a first-hand impression of Uganda’s last living traditional cultures. Experience traditional life, domestic duties and colourful dances and games.

Accommodation: Homestay (Manyata)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 9: Hike Mount Morungole (10km Hike)

Today, you will have your early breakfast before driving to Mt. Morungole to start your 10km hike. On arrival at Morungole eco-camp, you will have lunch and hike to the peak and descend back to Morungole eco-camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Morungole Eco-Camp (Tent)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 10: Dodoth & IK Cultural Experiences             

After your early breakfast, you will set off to Timu eco-camp for briefing with your local guide before proceeding for the Dodoth cultural experience. Later, return to the camp for lunch and Timu escarpment walk. Then after you will take on the IK cultural experience, The IK tribe counts only 7,000 people remaining, the people still speak their ancestral language and practice their traditional culture and traditions. A unique insight into a living traditional culture. Return to your camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Timu Eco-Camp (Tent)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 11: Transfer – Kidepo Valley National Park

After your breakfast at leisure, you will head north to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of the most remote and spectacular parks in Uganda. You will enjoy an evening game drive in the park, spotting various animals such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and many more.

Accommodation: Adere Safari Camp (Luxury) Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Mid-range) Kidepo Savannah Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 12: Game drive – Kidepo Valley National Park

Today you will wake up very early with a packed breakfast for a morning game drive while viewing the park’s endowed diversity of wildlife such as elephants, leopards, warthogs, ostriches, buffaloes, giraffes and lions and continue bird-watching in the Narus Valley. After the game drive, return to the camp in time for lunch. You will spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the camp.

Accommodation: Adere Safari Camp (Luxury) Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Mid-range) Kidepo Savannah Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 13: Transfer – Gulu City

After your breakfast at leisure, you will transfer to Gulu City.

Upon arrival, you will check in your hotel for refreshment, lunch and relaxation by the pool.

Accommodation: African Roots Guesthouse

Meal plan: Full board

Day 14: Acholi Cultural Experience – Gulu

Today after breakfast, you will meet up with the Acholi local guide who will take you through today’s cultural experience that will have you immerse yourself fully into the Acholi culture. You will engage in the Acholi culinary, Basket weaving, pottery experiences and Acholi traditional performances like the Larakaraka, and Dingi Dingi, among others. Later, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: African Roots Guesthouse

Meal plan: Full board

Day 15: Transfer – Murchison Falls National Park

After your tasty breakfast, you will transfer to Murchison Falls National Park through the northern sector with lunch along the way. The Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centrepiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the hotel through the park such as elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) Fort Murchison Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 16: Game drive & Boat Cruise, Hike to the Top of the Falls – Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, you shall go for a 3-hour game drive. Expect to see animals including Giraffes, Lions, Jackson hartebeest, Uganda Kob, Elephants and a lot of birds in the savannah. You will then go back for lunch and thereafter go for a boat cruise to the bottom of the Murchison Falls and then hike to the top of the falls where you shall be met by your guide to bring you back to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) Fort Murchison Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 17: Mubaku Community Tour – Murchison Falls National Park

After your breakfast at leisure, you will drive to the Mubaku community for a village tour as you engage into culinary, community walks, basket weaving, and craft making among others. You will spend the entire day immersing yourself fully into the community lifestyle with the women and children as well as visiting the community school and medical center.

Later in the evening, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) Fort Murchison Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 18: Transfer – Kibale Forest National Park

Early in the morning, we will leave for Kibale Forest NP. We will pass close to Lake Albert: on a clear day the view from the top of the Albert Rift is spectacular. In the afternoon we will arrive at Kibale Forest Camp, where we will stay with the soundtracks of the tropical rainforest.

Accommodation: Turaco treetop (Luxury) Isunga Lodge (Mid-range) Kibale Forest Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 19: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Community Tour – Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the park headquarters, he will then hand in your details and permits for registration and allocation of the chimpanzee community to trek. You will then be allocated to a chimpanzee community and your ranger guide will lead you on the trek in search of this great ape. Watch the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor, feed, play and rest.

In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi village. You have the opportunity to visit a swamp with abundant butterflies, plants, animals and spectacular birds like Great Blue Turaco which will be of great interest to birders. After this experience, you will take a village walk that will lead you to the Coffee experience, banana bear making, busk making and traditional healer.

Accommodation: Turaco treetop (Luxury) Isunga Lodge (Mid-range) Kibale Forest Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

20 days: Transfer & Boat Trip – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early morning departure for Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Crater Lake field. Crater lakes are formed by velocity, with a violent eruption causing the top of a volcano to be blown off leaving a crater lake. There are several lakes of varying size and character. The craters are safe for swimming, have frequent sightings of black and white colobus monkeys and Nyinambuga being one of the most popular lakes with its image printed at the back of the 20,000sh note of Uganda. The drive through Kasese is a journey through the dry plains and greenness. We reach at midday Queen Elizabeth National Park. Later in the afternoon, you will proceed for a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel to view the aquatic birds and animals such as the pied kingfisher, darters among others and animals such as crocodiles, monitor lizards, and elephants wallowing in the mad among others. Later return to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) The Bush Lodge (Mid-range) Euphorbia Safari Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 21: Game drive and Transfer – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After an early morning breakfast at 6:oo am, you will head out for a morning game drive in search of the hunters and grazers such as the buffalos, Uganda kobs, lions and a variety of bird species that you will encounter on your game drive and later return to your lodge for lunch and check-out for transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park. Arrive in the late afternoon for check-in, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (Luxury) Haven Lodge (Mid-range) Ride 4 a Woman (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 22: Gorilla Trekking & Transfer – Lake Bunyonyi

Early morning breakfast, then prepare for the ultimate gorilla trekking. You will be driven to the park headquarters for briefing and thereafter, you will enter the jungle with your packed lunch to search for the gentle giants and enjoy you’re their lifestyle in their habitant. After an encounter with the mountain gorillas, you can sit around them for an hour watching them social life as you take countless photographs. On this gorilla expedition, a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as walking shoes, packed snacks, insect repellent, sunscreen, hut and drinking water. The gorilla trekking experience takes almost 2-7 hours depending on the movements. Later you will return to your lodge for a hot lunch before you check out for a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages (Luxury) Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Mid-range) Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 23: Relaxation & Canoeing – Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast at leisure, you will head out for a canoe ride to explore some of the islands on the lake. This beautiful lake is hidden within the great valleys of Kisoro. The lake has several beautiful islands that have become home to a variety of bird species. You will later return to your lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the pool.

Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages (Luxury) Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Mid-range) Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 24: Transfer & Igongo Cultural Center – Lake Mburo National Park

Have your early breakfast and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, with great beautiful views of the rolling landscape, pull over and take some photographs if you like as you proceed with en-route lunch and Igongo cultural centre visit. Proceed to the park for a check-in and relaxation.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury) Rwakobo Rock (Mid-range) Eagle’s Nest Camp (Tent-Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 25: Walking Safari & Transfer – Entebbe International Airport

Have your tasty breakfast, you will head out for an early walking safari that will reward you with a great feel of getting close to nature. Return to the camp for a check-out and transfer to the airport via the Uganda equator for a souvenir photo moment and experience before proceeding to the airport.