Embark on a 23-day Ugandan adventure with Walter’s Tours, exploring vibrant cities, majestic wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes while experiencing local culture and relaxation at picturesque destinations. Flexible itinerary options ensure a tailored experience to suit your preferences.
Day 1 – Kampala City Tour and Ndere Traditional Music Show
Day 2 – Exploring Jinja and the Source of the Nile
Day 3 – Sipi Falls and En Route to Kidepo National Park
Day 4 – Exploring Moroto or Continuing to Kidepo
Day 5 – Full Day Game Drive in Kidepo National Park
Day 6: Drive to Gulu and Murchison Falls National Park
Day 7: Exploring Murchison Falls National Park
Day 9 – Exploration and Relaxation in Fort Portal
Day 10 – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 11 – Game Drives and Chimp Tracking in Queen Elizabeth
Day 12 – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 13 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 14 – Leisure Day at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 15 – Continued Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 16 – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 17 – Exploring Lake Mburo National Park
Day 18 – Further Exploration of Lake Mburo
Day 19 – Drive to Kalangala/Ssese Islands
Day 20-21 – Relaxation on Ssese Islands
Day 22 – Return to Kampala via the Equator
Day 23 – Flexible Day
Experience the vast open expanses of the savannah, where you may find yourself the only human in sight—until you come across a traditional manyatta homestead, where a local Karamojong nomad offers you a gourd of local brew to sip with the village elders.
Witness a flat sea of African bush, broken only by a sheer cliff rising straight up from the ground, one of countless “volcanic plugs” remaining from the formation of the Great Rift Valley. Here, you can set up camp under the stars, as the cliff provides an ideal spot for rock climbing come morning. As you drift off to sleep, the distant roars of lions fill the air.
Welcome to Karamoja: the wildest, most remote, and most evocative region of Uganda—a place most tourists will never have the chance to see.
Walter’s Expeditions believes that Africa is more than just animals. Don’t spend your entire safari in the back of a car; instead, venture off the beaten track. Climb and camp amidst stunning landscapes that are all yours to explore. Visit villages of cattle-herding nomads untouched by commercial tourism. Pitch your tent in a national park and experience the primal sound of lions, cheetahs, and leopards calling to each other during the night. Getting there is half the fun.
We offer expeditions to two areas of Uganda that allow you to “choose your own adventure,” mixing well-known destinations with off-the-beaten-path experiences: Karamoja-Eastern Uganda-Kidepo Valley.
No matter where you choose to go in Uganda with Walter’s, you’ll discover more than just animals. It goes beyond an African safari, encompassing nature, people, and scenic drives, such as the Rwenzori mountain and crater lakes. Consider staying at one of my favorite lodges in Uganda. In my opinion and choices, the best experiences come from a mix of different activities, not just luxury lodges.
EN ROUTE – KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK AND PERHAPS MUCHISON FALLS NP.
Kidepo National Park (4-5 days):
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northeastern Uganda, almost 700 kilometers away, bordering Sudan and Kenya. Activities include game drives, cultural visits to corrals and Karimajong homesteads known as Manyatta, and taking in the views of the rolling savannah grasslands. Nature walks and rock climbing are also available. Karamoja, in general, is still 50 years behind the rest of the country. This park is isolated and situated on Uganda’s border with Sudan and Kenya, in the extreme northeast of the country. The park comprises rolling savannah grasslands and rugged mountain landscapes. It is accessible by road or by air from Entebbe. Kidepo is considered one of the wildest and most original African parks in Africa, ranking as one of the best as per National Geographic’s yearly rankings, offering a unique experience of nature and wildlife viewing. It’s ranked number 1 in Africa. The duration of your stay can range from 5 days to 2 weeks, depending on the activities you choose, with rock climbing and mountain hiking taking the most time. Explore the rugged semi-arid wilderness of Uganda’s National Park circuit, Kidepo National Park, and learn more about the great Karimojong tribes on a local tour.
Day 1: Kampala City Tour and Ndere Traditional Music Show
Embark on the famous Kampala boda boda city tour, which offers a captivating introduction to the country. The city tour starts at 10 am, and we will pick you up by car from your starting point. The tour spans 5 hours, providing ample time to explore. After returning to your hotel or lodge for some refreshment, I highly recommend attending the Ndere traditional music show, which begins at 7 pm. We can leave the hotel 30 minutes earlier to ensure you don’t miss this unique experience, available only on Wednesdays and Sundays. After the show, we’ll stay in Kampala, with accommodation options ranging from African Tribe to Forest Cottages, Kabira, or even Serena for a touch of luxury.
Day 2: Exploring Jinja and the Source of the Nile
From Kampala, we head to Jinja, where a visit to the Source of the Nile is a must. Enjoy a boat ride to the Source of the Nile or choose from various adventurous activities, including white-water rafting with Nalubale Rafting Company around Bujagali Falls or bungee jumping over the Nile. The highlight here is white-water rafting, priced at $140 per person, and Walter, along with Nalubale Rafting Company, will handle all arrangements. As we journey, we’ll pass by picturesque sugar cane and tea plantations and lush forests, perfect for forest walks. We’ll spend another night in Kampala.
Day 3: Sipi Falls and En Route to Kidepo National Park
Today, we drive from Jinja to Sipi Falls, passing through Mbale town. Enjoy the serene beauty of the Mt. Elgon area, where you’ll find the mesmerizing Sipi Falls, Uganda’s highest waterfall. Hiking around the falls offers stunning views of the Kaiamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and Mt. Elgon’s slopes. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about coffee processing, visit coffee plantations, and even participate in coffee roasting. After Sipi Falls, we embark on a scenic drive to Kidepo National Park, passing through Pian Upe Game Reserve for a night’s stay. Kidepo is unique for its African hunting wild dogs and ancient rock paintings.
Day 4: Exploring Moroto or Continuing to Kidepo
Today’s activities depend on your preferences. In Moroto, you can choose from activities such as hiking Mount Moroto, visiting Karamojong homesteads, or engaging in cultural tours. Alternatively, if you opt to continue straight to Kidepo National Park, we’ll explore the park’s vast savanna with multiple game drives and possibly set up glamorous camping. In this case, we’ll spend the night in Moroto.
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Kidepo National Park
Set off early for an exciting full-day game drive in Kidepo National Park, which boasts an open savanna landscape unique to Uganda. For accommodation, consider Savanna Lodge, Apoka for a touch of luxury, or UWA Bandas for a budget-friendly option.
Day 6: Drive to Gulu and Murchison Falls National Park
Today, we drive from Kidepo for approximately 3 hours to reach Gulu, the capital of Northern Uganda. After some relaxation, we’ll continue our journey for another 2 hours to Murchison Falls National Park, where we’ll rest at one of my favorite lodges for glamorous camping, such as Bwana Tembo, Pakuba, or Paraa for luxury.
Day 7: Exploring Murchison Falls National Park
Enjoy an exhilarating safari experience with a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. Seek out the “Big Five” game animals: lion, African elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. Later, embark on a boat ride to witness the majestic Murchison Falls, the world’s strongest waterfalls, and observe crocodiles and hippos. The day is packed with activities, including morning and afternoon game drives and an optional evening game drive.
Day 8: Top of the Falls and Drive to Fort Portal
Start your day with an early morning drive to the top of Murchison Falls. Then, embark on a 5-hour drive to Fort Portal, enjoying the beautiful road with stunning views of Lake Albert, the escarpment, and the rift valley. This marks the beginning of the “Best of Western Uganda.”
Day 9: Exploration and Relaxation in Fort Portal
Spend today exploring Fort Portal, a favorite destination in Uganda. Enjoy the natural beauty, interact with the locals, and experience the culture. You’ll stay for another night in this charming town.
Day 10: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Relax and take a scenic drive to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for tree-climbing lions. Queen Elizabeth is renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscape, including the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, Lake George, Kazinga Channel, and Congo.
Day 11: Game Drives and Chimp Tracking in Queen Elizabeth
Embark on morning and afternoon game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its abundant wildlife. Additionally, you have the option to go chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest or take leisurely boat rides. Stay at Kingfisher Lodge, known for its stunning views of the Rift Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the heart of gorilla trekking in Uganda. Depending on your choice, we may stop at Ishasha to try and spot tree-climbing lions. You’ll stay at Bull Bush Lodge or Kingfisher Lodge, among other options.
Day 13: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Spend the morning tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Afterward, have a relaxing afternoon and evening at your chosen lodge in Kisoro, Mgahinga, or Bwindi forests.
Day 14: Leisure Day at Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy a leisurely day at Lake Bunyonyi, often referred to as Africa’s magical lake. Take in the stunning surroundings and stay at beautiful accommodations.
Day 15: Continued Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
Savor another day of relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, visiting its islands, going on short hikes, or even canoeing on the lake.
Day 16: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
Head to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest national parks, known for its unique wildlife, including zebras and antelopes. Stay at accommodations like Rwakobo, Leopad, or Eagles Nest.
Day 17: Exploring Lake Mburo National Park
Explore Lake Mburo National Park with activities such as bicycling, walking, or active game drives. Immerse yourself in the culture with cultural tours in nearby communities.
Day 18: Further Exploration of Lake Mburo
Enjoy another day exploring Lake Mburo National Park and its surrounding communities.
Day 19: Drive to Kalangala/Ssese Islands
Drive to Lake Victoria and take a ferry to the enchanting Kalangala/Ssese Islands. Here, you can choose to relax or engage in various activities, such as boat rides, cycling, and hiking. Spend your nights at the beautiful white sand beaches.
Day 20-21: Relaxation on Ssese Islands
Savor the beauty of Ssese Islands and take advantage of the serene environment to unwind.
Day 22: Return to Kampala via the Equator
Either take a ferry or drive back to Entebbe or Kampala, passing by the equator where you can observe the unique water swirl phenomenon.
Day 23: Flexible Day
Why we say 23 days is because, at the beginning or somewhere in the middle of the trip, Walter’s Tours allows for flexibility and planning to use that day. The trip can be extended to 24 days or reduced to 20 or 21 days, depending on planning and preferences.
Enjoy your 23-day adventure with Walter’s Tours, filled with unforgettable experiences and the best of what Uganda has to offer.
Embarking on a Uganda safari offers a unique and unforgettable journey into the heart of Africa’s natural wonders, combining lush landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural encounters in the “Pearl of Africa
You have multiple safari experiences to choose from, and we’re excited to offer them to you.