Uganda Northern Circuit including Kidepo Valley (12 days)
Our 12-day trip brings you the Northern Circuit of Uganda: This remote area is seldom visited by tourists. Expect to see the animals of the savannahs (lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and, leopard) in a beautiful and unspoiled and unique landscape.
This trip specifically includes the most important places of Northern Uganda: Jinja the source of the Nile, Sipi Falls, Pian Upe Game Reserve, Kidepo Valley National Park, Karamojong and Murchison Falls National Park.
Highlights
- See the source of the Nile in Jinja and do some kayaking or rafting
- Visit the spectacular Sipi Falls, the highest waterfall in East Africa
- Game drives (safaris) in Uganda’s second largest protect area, Pian Upe Game Reserve, this is one of the places with cheetahs
- Game drives (safaris) on the savannahs of Kidepo Valley National Park, there are more lions than tourists in this remote national park!
- Visit the Karamojong and experience their local way of living. The Karamojong are the ‘Maasai’ of Uganda
- Game drives (safaris) on the savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park, with chances of seeing the wildlife from close quarters
- Boat trip on the Nile to the Murchison Falls, where the Nile is forced through a gorge and drops 60 meters
- Spectacular wildlife viewing from the boat on the Nile where it reaches the delta into Lake Albert
Videos
Kazinga Tours - Murchison Falls Waterfall from the Sky
We explored the amazing Murchison Falls Waterfall from the sky! With our drone we were able to make unique photos and videos. From the main waterfall which is visible from the boat and top of the falls, but also from the hidden second waterfall. Please enjoy flying on top of the mighty waterfall in the Nile!
Kazinga Tours – Murchison Falls National Park by drone
We explored the amazing Murchison Falls National Park with our drone! We saw the beautiful landscapes and a lot of animals from the sky. Most special were the elephants playing in the water, the hippo with fish around him and the silhouettes of giraffes and elephants. Please enjoy flying with us.
Kazinga Tours - Uganda from the Sky - Highlights
See the beautiful landscapes and animals of Uganda from the sky, filmed with a drone. This is the highlights movie, please look at the videos from the specific areas as well. Places visited with our drone: Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park.
Route
Day to day program
Entebbe Airport - Entebbe
Arrival at Entebbe Airport. Your guide will be there waiting for you. Pick up and proceed to your accommodation.
Included: airport transfer
Entebbe - Jinja
After breakfast we drive to Jinja, where we make a walk along the Nile and you can visit the source of the Nile by boat (optional). We visit local communities to see their rural and local way of living. It is also possible to go for White water-rafting, kayaking, quad biking or horse riding (optional activities).
Please let us know if you want to go for rafting. This must be booked in advance (certainly in high season).
Included: visit source of the Nile
Jinja - Sipi Falls
Today we drive to Sipi Falls, a beautiful crater landscape on the slopes of Mount Elgon (4.321 m). Make a beautiful walk to the 3 huge waterfalls. This area is known for its stunning panoramas and nice villages. In the evening go for sunset viewing and panoramic views of the Karimojong plains.
Sipi Falls is the highest Waterfall in Uganda, the water falls down for 100 meters.
Included: visit Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls – Moroto
After an early breakfast we drive through local communities and later through Uganda’s second largest conservation area; Pian Upe Game Reserve.
We will go for a game drive to search for cheetahs, antelopes, birds, bush bucks, etc.
Included: game drive
Moroto
After your breakfast you can go cycling through the Karimojong villages to experience their way of living. It is also possible to do a community walk.
Included: cycling or Karimojong Village walk
Moroto – Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park for an overnight..
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the best national parks in Uganda with high chances to see lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes and large numbers of buffalo. Kidepo is also home to the Somali Ostrich.
Included: game drive
Kidepo Valley National Park
Early morning and afternoon game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Included: game drives
Kidepo Valley National Park
Early morning game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park. In the afternoon we visit a Karamojong village, a unique cultural experience!
Included: game drive, visit Karamojong village
Kidepo Valley National Park – Murchison Falls National Park
Today we drive to Murchison Falls through the countryside entering the park from the northern part.
Murchison Falls is one of the most beautiful national parks of Uganda. One of the main attractions is the Nile, with the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the whole Nile is forced through a narrow gorge and falls 60 meters. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and maybe leopards.
Murchison Falls National Park
Early morning game drive in this beautiful national park. Afternoon boat ride on the Victoria Nile up to the bottom of the falls and make the hike to the top of the falls.
The boat is the perfect platform to see and photograph many different bird species.
Included: game drive, boat trip, hike to the top of the falls
Murchison Fals National Park - Budongo Forest - Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After an early breakfast we will drive to the top of the Murchison Falls for a spectacular view of this impressive waterfall. Afterwards we will continue to Budongo Forest for the chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon. Chimps are our closest relatives. This is an experience you will never forget! After the tracking we will proceed to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Budungo Forest is an interesting jungle with many bird species, primates including chimpanzees.
Included: chimp tracking
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary- Entebbe Airport
After breakfast go for an on-foot Rhino bush walk where you will have a close encounter with the White Rhinos.
This Sanctuary so far has more than 26 individuals which stay in different zones in herds and is the only place in Uganda where you can see the white Rhino. After lunch we will make the transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight.
Included: Rhino bush walk
Accommodations
Legend: BB = Bed and Breakfast / HB = Half Board / FB = Full Board
Prices 2024
Price on request, please send an email to mail@kazingatours.com
Includes
- Airport transfers
- Accommodations with meals mentioned
- Bottled drinking water
- Private 4x4 custom built safari van with knowledgeable driver/guide and fuel
- Entrance fees to the included National Parks
- Activities mentioned as included
Excludes
- Flights
- Visa
- All optional activities
- Insurances
- Meals not mentioned and beverages
- Tips and personal expenses such as laundry and communication
The Government of Uganda requires mandatory proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination for travelers 1 year of age and above. Travelers should possess a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (vaccine received at least 10 days ago) prior to entry into Uganda. Travelers who do not meet this requirement must be vaccinated at the Airport (with possibility of isolation as determined by the Aiport health authority) prior to entry into Uganda at the travelers own costs.
Furthermore all required inoculations must be recorded by your health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate. You must carry this document with you throughout the tour. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. We also advise that you bring a mosquito repellent with you. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for up to date requirements, inoculations and personal recommendations!
Normally you need the following vaccinations (but please always consult a doctor):
- Yellow Fever
- DTP
- Hepatitis
For Malaria you need to take tablets, Malarone or Lariam. Malarone is mostly used (please always consult a doctor).
Hygiene is not at the same standard as in your home country, so we advise you to bring a disinfectant cream with you. Always drink bottled water instead of tap water.
On arrival on the airport our guide will be there waiting for you. During safari we use custom made safari vehicles, custom made for an optimal view of the wildlife. Safari vehicles (and small aircrafts) provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might be difficult to be taken on board.
Uganda visa information
The Government of Uganda has an online visa application When you are visiting Uganda you must apply for a visa online:
- Go to the website https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
- Please make sure you have the following documents in .pdf, .jpeg, .png or .bmp format: a copy of your passport, copy of recent passport size photograph and a vaccination certificate (Yellow Fever)
- Fill in the form:
- Visit Uganda only: single entry: “ordinary” visa, USD 50
- Visit 2 countries or more: East Africa / multi entry visa, USD 100 (participating in the East African visa: Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya)
- When you send the form you will immediately receive a tracking code. This code helps you to keep track of how far your application has progressed. You can check its status from this webpage
- The Ugandan authorities will send you a letter in the email after they have approved your application (please check you SPAM folder too)
- Print this letter and bring it with you when you arrive at the overland border or at Entebbe International Airport. You need this letter to be allowed to purchase the entree visa there for USD 50 (Uganda) or USD 100 (East Africa-Multi Entry).
Some nationalities do not require a visa, please check this in advance.
In most of the cities it is possible to withdraw money from an ATM. Travelers Cheques are not widely accepted and it is very difficult or impossible to pay by credit card outside the cities. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference. We advise to bring some Dollars for daily expenses and tips.
Dollar bills should not be older than 10 years.
The unit of currency is the Ugandan Shilling. Please check the latest exchange rates before you go to your destination. This will be a guideline. Please note you will get a better exchange rate in the bigger cities.
We advise you to apply for a Flying Doctors membership. The membership provides a quick and reliable air evacuation and medical care if needed.
AMREF Flying Doctors offers 2 covers (Annual and Short Term). You can choose between the Maisha Silver (Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar), Maisha Gold (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) or Maisha Platinum (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Ethiopia).
Please check out the AMREF Flying Doctors website for more information and to become a member.
Educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English, which is the official language in Uganda. Next to English there are about 30- plus different indigenous languages.
Uganda is a tropical country, with higher temperatures at lower altitudes (Kampala, Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Bundibugyo).
Areas around Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Lake Bunyonyi are generally cooler.
Uganda can be visited at any time throughout the year. But please keep in mind that mountain hikes, gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rainy seasons (March - May and October - November).
For birders the rainy season is considered to be the best time to visit Uganda.
Rainy season means it rains more often, but not every day and not the whole day.
Daytime temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at high altitudes (areas around Bwindi, Mgahinga, Lake Bunyonyi and Kabale) so carry a couple of sweaters too.
Those who intend to do mountain hiking will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Do not forget to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a waterproof jacket.
During safaris we advise to avoid black and dark blue clothes (because they can attract tsetse flies).
If you are planning on doing a community walk or visit the local people, we advise you to wear appropriate clothing. For example women putting on long skirts and a top that covers the shoulders
A valid passport is mandatory (passport must be valid for at least 3 months after re-entry) and visa requirements for all countries you are planning to visit should be checked before you travel.
To make the most of your visit to the game reserves and national parks, we advise you to carry binoculars and field guides.
Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or more). Please make sure to carry enough memory cards with you. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.
A torch (flashlight) can proof to be very useful
We advise you to take an international adapter with you for your electric equipment. The system used in Uganda is the British system. In most lodges it is possible to charge your batteries.
Driving in Uganda is on the left-hand side.
Visitors without experience of African roads are advised to travel with a 4x4 vehicle driven by a knowledgeable driver/guide, rather than self-drive.
All our guides are well trained in "Defensive Driving".
Please mind that washrooms along the road are sometimes not to European standards, for example squatting toilets, no flushing toilets or no toilet paper available. Like the locals say: T.I.A. This Is Africa.
Bathroom facilities and accommodations can be more basic when traveling on a medium to low budget. In the eco lodges mind that the water reserves are limited and in most cases there are no sockets in the room, but you can always charge your devices at the reception.
Tipping will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% in hotels and restaurants. Guides, drivers and carriers should always be tipped. Indication: for carriers USD 1-3 and for your driver/guide USD 5-15 per day, depending on the group size, number of days and your satisfaction.
The Bradt Travel Guide is the most detailed guidebook for Uganda. The Lonely Planet (East Africa), Footprint Guides and Spectrum Guides produce other guidebooks. For wildlife, the best guidebook is ‘Watching Wildlife East Africa’ from the Lonely Planet. For birding, the best guidebook is ‘birds of East Africa’. It is advisable to get the most updated copy.
