The eastern circuit safari is a way to explore the beauty of Uganda and it starts from Entebbe through Kampala to Kaabong where Kidepo valley National park is located. This is the true wilderness safari as you spot different wildlife such as the giraffes, leopards, zebras, jackals among others.
Also, visit the Sezibwa waterfalls, source of R. Nile, Mabira forest – home of primates, Nyero rock paintings with its history and undertake the Kampala city tour by visiting areas like the Uganda museum, Namugongo catholic shrine and the local craft market and UWEC-Entebbe zoo.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to the hotel from the airport and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre visit
You’re welcome to Uganda! this will be your first day where the driver guide will pick you and if you arrive early, you will visit the Uganda wildlife education centre, formerly known as the Entebbe zoo.
You will view several animals including the big five, different bird species including the rare shoebill stork, primates like chimpanzees, olive baboons among others. Transfer to the hotel in Kampala where you will check in the booked accommodation.
Day 2: Kampala to Jinja, visit Sezibwa falls and Mabira nature walk
The day starts immediately after breakfast and check out at the hotel room to hit Kampala-Jinja road as you pass through the factories and industries in Namanve. Reach Sezibwa falls and experience a bit of cultural and historical waterfalls and a major traditional icon for Buganda kingdom. Take time and you capture scenic photos and after proceed with the journey and reach Mabira forest where you will experience the natural fresh air and a number of primates.
You will be welcomed and be briefed about the forest and later take a nature walk to griffin falls where you will be able to spot primates like the Mangabeys, Vervet monkeys, olive baboons among others. The walk is rewarding with various birds, primates, butterflies that can be observed through the dense trees. After you will be served with lunch as you proceed with the journey through vast sugarcane and tea plantations.
Day 3: Jinja city tour, source of the Nile and transfer to Sipi falls
Take leisure morning breakfast followed by the city drive in Jinja as you tour the cable bridge which can be found in Uganda in the whole of East Africa, head to former Bujagali falls, now turned into a power dam but still looking scenic and after proceed to begin a boat ride that will take you to the source of legendary River Nile.
You will encounter the Nile crocodiles, tortoise, monkeys, snakes among others and reach where the longest river start its way to the Mediterranean Sea. Take photos and later transfer to Java house where you will be served with hot lunch which will be followed by a transfer to Sipi falls.
Day 4: Hike Sipi falls and community tour in the evening
Wake up and have breakfast at the hotel or lodge as you enjoy morning view of Sipi falls and after head to Sipi falls office for briefing and be assigned with the local guide to help you in the hiking experience. You will start by passing through the farm gardens dotted with coffee plantations.
The hike is amazing which starts in a lower side as you move from one water fall to another which gives a nice view. On reaching the second water fall, you can feel fatigue and if you’re not strong enough, you may return to the lodge. Sipi falls gets its name from the called Sep, a banana – like wild plant that’s normally used by the local people as a medicine to cure measles and fever.
After an adventure, return to the lodge/hotel and be served with lunch as you prepare for the cultural experience by the Bagisu who will entertain you with their traditional dance and music.
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo and visit the Nyero rock paintings
Transfer to Kidepo NP after a morning breakfast through Kumi district to experience Nyero Rock painting. These are rocks believed to have been homes for Batwa pygmies that are now found in Rwanda and Uganda boarder. The art painting gives a nice view and good for photography and on top of that, the history behind this feature is so encouraging.
After proceed to Kidepo valley national park, famous for its untouched wildlife and beautiful scenery and this makes it the remotest national park in the country. It’s also the only national park where you can easily spot the leopards and has the largest concentration of buffaloes in the whole of Africa.
The road trip is rewarding comprising of several attractions like rocks, hills, rivers like Aswa River among others. On arrival, you will check in your pre-booked lodge.
Day 6: Morning game drive and Karamojong culture encounter
Head for an early game drive in the open plains of Kidepo valley to view early raisers like the leopards, jackals, spotted hyenas, lions among others. During morning, you may spot other mammals like the antelopes, bush bucks, Jackson hartebeests, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, elephants among others, plant species like acacia, Borassus palms, Kigelia Africana among others and also birds like Abyssinian ground hornbill, ostrich among others.
The game drive takes 2-4 hours of adventure and after head to the lodge for your mid-morning breakfast. Take a drive to the nearby community to experience the Karamojong culture as they take through their ritual ceremonies, traditional dances and their art and craft. Return to the lodge for your ordered dinner.
Day 7: Transfer to Kampala and check in the hotel
Immediately start the journey after your served breakfast through Kitgum and then connect Gulu-Kampala road. The journey is rewarding as you pass through the local homestead for different cultures, hills, rivers, forests with primates like Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Reach the capital city in late evening and check in the hotel but an option can be night life as you party in different clubs.
Day 8: Kampala city tour and a drop of at the airport
This is the last day of the tour which starts with breakfast at the balcony of your hotel room while you view the city. Head for a short city excursion, for example; touring the Uganda museum, the Namugongo shrines, and local craft markets among others.
A transfer to the airport will follow, maybe after lunch or you will take lunch at the airport canteen depending on your scheduled flight.
End of 8 days eastern Uganda safari
