5 DAYS MURCHISON FALLS & KIDEPO NP SAFARI.
Overview.
5 days Murchison & Kidepo Safari is the ultimate Ugandan safari combination for visitors interested in experiencing the totality of Africa’s best wilderness National Parks in Uganda. Each of these National Parks rewards visitors with extraordinary wildlife sightings as well as varying landscapes/terrains.
Murchison falls National Park is the largest National Park in Uganda extending for over 3,840 square kilometers within the north-western region of the country. This Park is where you will see over 76 different species of mammals that include Hippos, Jackson’s hartebeests, Oribis, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, lions, the spotty leopards, Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, buffaloes, primates (olive baboons, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and blue monkeys).
There are also over 440 species of birds in this Park some of which include the Goliath herons, shoebill storks, grey-crowned cranes, weaver birds, blue-headed Coucal, Speckle-fronted weavers, Malachite and giant kingfishers, African Jacana, Abyssinian ground-hornbills and many others.
Kidepo Valley National Park in the remote north-east of the country covers an area of 1442 square kilometers and shelters over 86 species of mammals, some of which (about 28 species) are not found in Murchison or any other Park in Uganda. This Park has over 17 different antelope species (including Chandler’s mountain reedbucks, Uganda Kobs, Klipspringer, bushbucks, impalas, Roan antelopes, common elands, Defassa waterbucks and many others).
Mammals species restricted to this Park alone are the African hunting dogs, Grant’s gazelles, stripped hyenas, cheetahs, Beisa Oryx. With a bird checklist of over 475 bird species, Kidepo Valley National Park is equally endowed and an excellent birding Paradise.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Drive from Kampala City to Kidepo Valley National Park.
The 5 days Murchison & Kidepo Safari starts from Kampala around 06h00hrs and drive through the scenic Towns of Luwero, Nakasongola, Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum to the entrance of Kidepo Valley National Park. The Road transfer is undertaken with a customized 4WD Vehicle. Your first game drive begins when you enter the gates and make way to your first place of stay. Dinner and relaxation will be at the same lodge.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon visit to the Karamojong communities.
Rise with the sun to relish your first half day of wildlife viewing within Kidepo Valley National Park, where you will appreciate the hidden wonders of the Park while driving along the game tracks. Watch-out for the elephants, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, mountain reedbucks, zebras, Grant’s gazelle and many others. Return back to the Lodge for a well-eared brunch (or late breakfast) and spend some time unwinding at the lodge while watching several wildlife species from the lodge’s private deck.
In the afternoon head out for a visit to the Karamojong communities to explore their extraordinary cultural lifestyles/practices, traditional dances and delicious dishes. Return to the Lodge by sunset for dinner at the Lodge restaurant or around fire.
Day 3: Leave for Murchison Falls National Park.
This day is for transferring from Kidepo Valley National Park to Murchison falls National Park. Start with breakfast and pack your bags, then check-out of the Lodge for transfer to your next destination where you will have lunch, dinner and overnight stay. You will get the chance to experience different ecosystems, wildlife and other natural attractions.
Day 4: Morning game drive afternoon launch cruise and exhilarating hike to the top of the falls.
Day 4 is devoted to wildlife viewing in Murchison falls National Park. Game viewing here is best done early in the morning (when animals are leaving their hiding places while nocturnal animals are still on hunt), late afternoon (when the sun is too hot and animals converge at drinking points) or night (when the nocturnal animals are very active).
Here expect to see Jackson’s hartebeests, Oribis, lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, spotted hyenas, Uganda Kobs and Defassa waterbucks among others.
In the afternoon drive to the Paraa jetty for the start of the launch cruise where Hippos, Nile crocodiles and other wildlife species of the park, not forgetting numerous bird species can be spotted. Campfires, dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Day 5: Drive back to Kampala with stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Your last day in the wilderness and returning back to Kampala. After breakfast, make way towards any of the Park’s entrance/exit gates for a transfer to the City. Make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking and arrive Kampala in the evening.

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