7 Day African Big Five Safari
Safari Overview:
Destinations:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Murchison Falls National Park is 303km from Kampala taking us about 5 hrs of a charming drive. This is the largest National park in Uganda covering an area of 3840sq.kms together with the Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves forms the Murchison conservation area are total coverage of 5072 sqkm. The park derives its name from the Murchison Falls on the Nile, with the most powerful water rush in the world.
Kidepo valley national park is found in the remote North Eastern part of Uganda. It is 1442 Sq Km of largely varied habitats characterized by numerous seasonal rivers, mountainous boundaries and open savannah grasslands. The local people here the Karamojong, are akin to the Masaai in Kenya and Tanzania. They are nomadic pastoralists.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is found in Nakasongola district, 176 km from Kampala. This 70 Square Kilometer sanctuary was established in 2005 with the purpose of re-introducing the southern white African Rhino which had since become extinct back to the wilderness.
Starting with 6 species the number has now grown to over 48 and an official relocation of 6 Rhinos has recently been done to Ajai wildlife reserve and Kidepo Valley national park.
Safari Highlights:
- Visit to Murchison Falls
- Nile cruise
- Hike to the top of the falls
- Game drives
- Community cultural visits
- Rhino walk
African Big Five Safaris is a specialist East African Safari Company registered in Uganda and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators with our offices in the heart of Kampala City.
We have more than ten years’ experience in the tourism industry. Both our office and field staff have a broad knowledge of the history, people, culture, geography, birds and plants of East Africa.
Our exciting safaris include; encountering the big five, the Great Migration, birding, camping, student tours, mountain climbing, gorilla trekking, and volunteer safaris.
We offer a range of adventure tours to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park
(5-6 hrs)
Our safari day starts with your guide picking you up at your hotel at 7:00am. Enjoy a 3 hr drive to Masindi where you will have a Lunch break and then continue your drive.
Enter Murchison Falls National Park.
Drive to the Top of Murchison falls for one of the best views in the world. For more action we shall take a guided hike to the top of the falls. In addition to the amazing scenery, you will also be able to view Uhuru Falls. You will be in awe while viewing glorious Murchison Falls with the most powerful water surge in the world!
- Drive to the lodge and enjoy your evening.
- Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Dinner and overnight:
- Paraa Safari Lodge – Upper range
- Murchison River lodge – Medium range
- Fort Murchison- Budget range
Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park
We are out in the jungle early in the safari vehicle in search of the big elusive cats. With the skillful eyes of our guide, you are likely to spot Lions, Leopard, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Elephants, Oribis and Hartebeests just to mention a few.
Following your lunch at the lodge, we shall go for a cruise on the Nile waters to view the gigantic Nile crocodiles, schools of Hippos cooling off from the heat as well as Buffalos and Elephants seen at the river bank. We shall also have a stunning array of charming birds dotting our skies as we sail to the base of the Murchison Falls.
Back at the lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Mweya Safari Lodge – Upper range
- Murchison river lodge- Medium range
- Fort Murchison – Budget range
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Murchison Game Safari – Gulu
(2 hrs)
Get up for your breakfast after which, we drive out of Murchison fall’s national park heading north to Gulu. We drive to Fort Patiko also known as Samuel baker Fort. This place is very rich with history, dating to 140 years ago when Slave trade was at its peak.
Enjoy the scenery of the surrounding area very different from any other place in Uganda as you take photos of this historical site.
We shall be taken through the culture and norms of the Acholi people. This will be crowned with the different dances of the Acholi. Be keen to join in. For the ladies wriggle with the beads round your waist, while for the men hit the calabash with wire strands while you nod your heads to the lyrical drum sounds of the Acholi Land!
Dinner and Overnight:
- Boma Hotel/Churchill Courts or the Pagoda
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Gulu – Kidepo Valley National Park (4 hrs)
Have an early breakfast and we are off to Kidepo National Park. After lunch, we shall go and visit the locals in Loukuru village, where we shall get a wealth of information about the Karamonjong people akin to the Masai. Watch and join in the local dance; jump, jump and jump.
Dinner and overnight at:
- Adere safari Lodge- Upper range
- Savannah Lodge- safari tent- Medium range
- Savannah Lodge – Tents – Budget range
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Kidepo Valley National Park
This day, we wake up early and have our breakfast before setting off for our game drive. Head towards the south Sudan border: only here in the whole of Uganda will you see ostriches in the park. (this activity is dependent on and done in the dry season) The hot springs are another nature’s awe that we shall be seeing. Lots of other wilderness dwellers will be seen on our drive. Have lunch and we shall go for another game drive in search for the big cats and their prey.Dinner and overnight at:
- Adere safari Lodge – Upper range
- Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Medium range
- Savannah lodge- Tents – Budget range
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Kidepo – Gulu (5-6 hrs)
Have your breakfast and we are off to Gulu. After lunch, have a leisure walk in Gulu town.- Overnight and Dinner: Boma Hotel/Churchill Courts or the Pagoda.
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Gulu – Ziwa Rhino – Kampala/ Entebbe (5-6 hrs)
After your breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Kampala. We then take a turn to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, in Nakasongola. It is the only place in Uganda you see Rhinos in the wild in Uganda. This walk in search for the Rhinos will take us 1-2 hours with rich information from the ranger guide about the Rhinos. Your visit to this place is a great contribution in the reintroduction of the Rhino in Uganda. Have lunch and continue your drive to Kampala. Drop you at your hotel or Airport.- Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:
Price Includes:
- Gorilla permit(USD 800 each)
- Airport transfer
- Meals en-route
- Accommodation in the Park on full board basis (BLD)
- Park entrance fees and all activities as per itinerary
- 4×4 wheel safari vehicle with a pop up roof top for maximum viewing in the wild.
- Fuel/ Drivers allowances
- Service of an English speaking guide/driver
- Plenty of bottled mineral water in the Safari Vehicle
Price Excludes:
- Flight, Visa fees
- Personal expenses like telephone, laundry, and others alike.
- All drinks at the lodge or restuarant
- Optional activities
- Accommodation in Kampala/ Entebbe
- Tips, souvenirs
Book this Safari:
You may call us directly on +256 752 901 801, +256 772 851 300, +1 647 968 3070, send an email to info@africanbigfivesafaris.com or use the form below:
One of our travel consultants shall respond to you shortly.