5-Day Safari Discovering the Remote Kidepo Valley Park
Our Affordable Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari
Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari: Enjoy an unforgettable 5-day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari with our Value+ Midrange package. This Safari is designed to give you a fantastic adventure in Kidepo Valley Park, a hidden African tempo Valley Park in a remote area called Karamoja in Uganda. It uniquely combines wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and cultural experiences. It’s a place that goes beyond what you’d expect and lets you explore a part of Africa that humans haven’t touched much.
During this safari, you’ll see a lot of wildlife in their natural habitats. The park is known for having many different animals like elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and many birds. You’ll go on exciting drives where you’ll get close to these fantastic creatures.
Besides seeing wildlife, you’ll also get to meet the Karamojong people. They’re a group of local people with a long history and unique culture. On your journey, you’ll have a chance to talk to them and learn about their traditions, customs, and way of life.
With our Value+ Midrange package, you’ll stay in comfortable, affordable, and still nice accommodations. You’ll have lodges or tented camps where you can relax and have everything you need while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Our experienced guides will be with you the whole time, sharing their knowledge and ensuring you understand and appreciate the park and its animals.
Get ready to be amazed by the untouched beauty, incredible wildlife, and rich cultural experiences waiting for you in Kidepo Valley Park. Take this Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari and make memories that will stay with you forever.
Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari Highlights:
- Stay at Quality Midrange Lodges: Amuka Lodge at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Apoka Lodge in Kidepo Lodge, and Chobe and Paraa Lodge in Murchi8sonh Falls.
- Private Safari Vehicle: Safari-equipped vehicle with pop-up roof.
- Driver-Guide: You go with a local on your Safari—someone who knows Uganda.
- Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Kidepo Valley Park:
- Sumptuous Meals: Eat meals with an African touch on this Safari.
- Park and Activity Fees: All fees of listed activities are included in this Safari.
Not included: Drinks at lodges, souvenirs, and activity fees not listed
Details of the Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari:
Day 1 – Drive to Ziwa Rhino Reserve:
The Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari starts with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at 6:30 am. The drive from Kampala takes about 3 hours, while it’s just under four hours from Entebbe.
When we reach Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you’ll check in at Amuka Lodge. Your accommodation will be a spacious tented Banda with a bathroom attached. You’ll have the opportunity to see wildlife passing by from your own private verandah.
Meals will be provided at the main lodge, where you’ll also have access to WiFi. If you need to work online, we can arrange for a MiFi Router to be available in your room.
The lodge offers amenities such as a small swimming pool near the main building, a bar, and a dining area where meals are served. You can look forward to enjoying delicious BBQ meals prepared in the South African style.
Rhino Trekking on Foot:
During your Rhino Trekking experience, you’ll have an exciting opportunity to track rhinos on foot, accompanied by experienced rangers who ensure your safety.
This activity is one of the most thrilling and unique experiences during your Safari in Uganda. The trek lasts about ninety minutes and provides excellent chances to capture memorable photographs. One of our clients even won a photo contest organized by Brussels Airlines with a picture of a baby rhino resting its foot on its mother.
Rhino Trekking on Foot is safe because Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is well-protected by electric fences to discourage poachers. Since its establishment in 2005, the sanctuary has become home to 33 rhinos, with more expected. Rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ensure round-the-clock protection of the refuge and guide visitors during their encounters with the rhinos. What makes this sanctuary special is the opportunity to approach the rhinos on foot, allowing you to get as close as ten meters to these magnificent creatures.
Some of the rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will eventually be reintroduced into the wild. While the sanctuary itself is a large and heavily protected area, the ultimate goal of the breeding program is to release the rhinos into wilderness areas that closely resemble the sanctuary’s terrain and vegetation.
Meal Plan: Lunch -Dinner
Day 2 – Kidepo Valley Park:
Kidepo Savannah Lodge:
After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Kidepo Valley Park and check into Kidepo Savannah Lodge. It’s a comfortable and affordable place to stay near Kidepo Valley National Park.
The lodge blends with the beautiful savannah landscape, grasslands, rocks, wildlife, and the local Karamojong people. From the club, you can enjoy stunning views of the vast Narus Valley and the distant Mount Morungole ranges, which form the border with Southern Sudan.
Regarding accommodations, Kidepo Savannah Lodge ensures a pleasant and cozy stay. They offer tented cottages with a terrace where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the park and mountains.
The lodge also has a well-organized restaurant and bar. The restaurant is designed with thatched grass to blend with the natural surroundings. You can enjoy fantastic views of the savannah landscape while dining. The bar offers a variety of wines and local Ugandan beer. For dinner, the lodge serves delicious 3-course meals. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please inform the club in advance since they operate in a remote area and rely on solar power for their fridges and freezers. Although they have a fixed menu, they can accommodate special requests with prior notice.
Late afternoon – Sunset Game Drive:
In the late afternoon, we will go on a game drive with an experienced driver-guide and a UWA ranger.
We will drive through the Narus Valley and have the opportunity to see different animals like buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and, if we’re lucky, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Along the way, there will also be many birds to watch.
The game drive will be relaxed, giving enough time to enjoy and not miss exciting sightings. We can stop whenever we want to take pictures of the fantastic wildlife, birds, plants, and flowers.
After the game drive, we will return to the lodge for dinner. You can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Kidepo Valley and listen to nature’s sounds while having a meal.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
Day 3 – Kidepo Valley Park:
Start your morning with a delectable breakfast and enjoy coffee or tea while taking in the breathtaking landscape and wildlife surrounding you in this remote corner of Uganda. Despite its isolated location, indulge in luxury and elegance, creating the ideal African dream vacation.
Following breakfast, embark on an exhilarating game drive through diverse terrains such as savannahs, hills, small forests, and dry river beds, all with the majestic mountains in the distance, providing a stunning backdrop. Witness a wide array of animals, birds, and unique plants and trees thriving in this semi-arid region of Uganda.
Our next destination is the Karankorog Hot Springs, where abundant wildlife awaits. Each game drive is a unique experience; even if we follow the same route twice, there’s always something new to discover. The captivating scenery, diverse animals, and vibrant birdlife will leave you in awe, so keep your camera ready to capture the unforgettable moments along the journey. Afterward, we’ll return to the lodge for another delightful meal.
Visidt a Karamojong Manyatta:
In the afternoon, we will embark on a captivating cultural tour to immerse ourselves in the rich heritage of the Karamojong people. This proud tribe resides in the arid Karamoja region and has steadfastly preserved their traditions, resisting external influences. Our journey will lead us to a traditional Manyatta, a village where the Karamojong Nomad Herders and Warriors reside when they are not guiding their cattle to greener pastures.
Similar to the renowned Maasai tribe in Kenya and Tanzania, the Karamojong people hold a deep reverence for their cattle. Their way of life is unique, and they take immense pride in their warrior traditions. They firmly believe that owning cattle is their divine right, even if it means claiming ownership of herds that belong to others. During our visit to the Manyatta, you will witness their way of life firsthand, observe their food preparation techniques, partake in their vibrant dances, and gain a profound understanding of cattle’s central role in their culture.
After the enlightening cultural tour, we will return to the lodge to savor a delicious dinner and embrace the tranquil ambiance of the wilderness. As night falls, you will be serenaded by the enchanting melodies of the African night in Kidepo Park, creating a peaceful and unforgettable experience.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
Day 4 -Kidepo Valley Park:
Visit the Ik People on Mount Morungole
Today, we have an extraordinary adventure ahead as we visit the Ik people, one of the most secluded tribes in East Africa. Their home is nestled on the picturesque Mount Morungole, towering 2,750 meters.
The Ik people are considered indigenous, and their very name in their language translates to “original inhabitants,” signifying their ancient presence predating the arrival of the Karamojong people. Currently, their population stands at approximately 13,000 individuals.
Remarkably, the Ik community now has representation in parliament, with Hillary Lokwang, one of the only two Ik university graduates, advocating for their rights. To reach the Ik people, we will embark on a scenic hike up Mount Morungole, as there are no roads leading to their villages, only well-worn footpaths. This visit will offer
us a truly unique and captivating insight into the Ik people, their culture, and their way of life. It’s interesting to note that, unlike other communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Ik acquire brides not with cows but with beehives.
It’s essential to mention that Colin Turnbull’s book, “The Mountain People,” which portrayed the Ik people negatively, has since been discredited. Turnbull argued that the Ik were incapable of love. However, during our visit, we will uncover a different reality as the Ik community warmly welcomes us, allowing us to experience their warmth and hospitality firsthand.
Climbing Mount Morungole is a challenging endeavor that demands physical stamina. Our guided hike will be an escorted 8-hour round trip, offering a thrilling experience. The steep trail adds an extra dose of excitement to our day.
To ensure a comfortable hike, we recommend bringing a packed lunch from Apoka Safari Lodge, two to three liters of bottled water, and energy snacks like dried fruit. Carrying a daypack, wearing sturdy hiking boots, and dressing in long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt to protect against the elements are advisable. Don’t forget to wear a hat for added sun protection. If desired, hiring a porter to carry your daypack and utilizing a walking stick can make the hike more manageable and enjoyable.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
Day 5-Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After a memorable stay in Kidepo, it is time to embark on our return journey to either Kampala or Entebbe. We will start early in the morning, ensuring ample time to enjoy the scenic landscapes.
Leaving Kidepo behind, we will drive through the picturesque countryside of Uganda. As we traverse the diverse terrain, we will witness the beauty of rolling hills, lush greenery, and vibrant villages that dot the landscape.
Our journey will take us through charming towns and rural areas, providing glimpses of everyday life in Uganda. We may encounter bustling markets, locals going about their daily activities, and perhaps even catch sight of traditional ceremonies or cultural events.
We will have lunch in Gulu and then continue our journey; we will gradually approach our destination of either Kampala or Entebbe. The roads will become busier as we enter urban areas, and the landscape will transition into a more city-like setting.
Finally, we will arrive in Kampala, the vibrant capital of Uganda, or Entebbe, a serene town known for its location on the shores of Lake Victoria. Your Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari comes to an end, filled with fond memories, breathtaking sights, and a deeper appreciation for Uganda’s natural and cultural wonders.
Enquire about this Value+ Midrange 5-Day Kidepo Valley Park Discovery Safari.
