10-Day Kidepo, Pian Upe, Sipi Falls and Jinja Safari

Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by a professional Enjobe Safaris driver-guide holding a personalised welcome sign.

After completing immigration procedures and collecting your luggage, you will receive assistance before transferring to your selected lodge in Entebbe.

The drive from the airport will be short, allowing you to settle in comfortably after your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may spend the remainder of the day relaxing at the lodge, walking around the surrounding area or preparing for the adventure ahead.

Your driver-guide will provide a short briefing about the safari, including the planned departure time for the following morning. Dinner and overnight will be at your selected lodge in Entebbe.

After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin the journey to Jinja. The drive takes you through the outskirts of Kampala and continues east through towns, farmland, sugarcane plantations and sections of tropical vegetation.

Upon arrival in Jinja, you will proceed to the rafting base, where you will meet the professional river-guiding team. Before beginning the activity, the guides will provide a detailed safety briefing, introduce you to the rafting equipment and explain the correct paddling and rescue procedures.

You will then begin an exciting half-day rafting adventure on a selected section of the River Nile. The rafting route will be chosen according to current river conditions, the operator’s programme, your swimming ability, age and preferred level of adventure. During the experience, you may navigate a combination of calm stretches, waves and challenging rapids while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the riverbanks. Professional rafting guides and safety kayakers will accompany the group throughout the activity.

Guests who prefer a gentler experience may request a family-friendly rafting section or another suitable water activity, subject to availability. After completing the rafting experience, you will return to the base, change into dry clothing and enjoy refreshments or a meal depending on the selected programme. You will later transfer to your lodge in Jinja for check-in, dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will spend the first half of the day exploring Jinja.

The morning programme will include a visit to the Source of the Nile, where the River Nile begins its long journey from Lake Victoria towards the Mediterranean Sea. You may take a boat ride to the point traditionally identified as the Source of the Nile, enjoy views of Lake Victoria and learn about the river’s historical, geographical and cultural significance.

In addition to the Source of the Nile visit, you may select one or more activities according to your interests, available time and the confirmed package.

• Guided Jinja city tour.
• Quad-biking experience along village and riverside trails.
• Horseback riding beside the Nile.
• Tubing or kayaking on a calmer section of the river.
• Guided community or village walk.
• Visit to local craft markets.
• Birdwatching along the Nile.
• Visit to historical sites connected to Jinja’s colonial and industrial past.
• Bungee jumping, where operational and booked in advance.
• Relaxation at a riverside lodge or restaurant.

The final selection of activities will be confirmed before the safari according to your preferences, physical ability and the availability of service providers.

After the morning activities, you will have lunch in Jinja.

You will then begin the journey towards the Sipi region in eastern Uganda. The drive passes through towns, sugarcane-growing areas, agricultural communities and the beautiful landscapes surrounding Mount Elgon. As you approach Sipi, the terrain becomes increasingly mountainous, with views of valleys, cliffs, coffee farms and distant plains. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or early evening. Dinner and overnight will be at your selected lodge in the Sipi region.

After breakfast, you will meet an experienced local guide and begin a guided tour of Sipi Falls. The Sipi Falls region is renowned for its dramatic waterfalls, fertile coffee-growing slopes, caves, cliffs, rivers and panoramic views across the plains of eastern Uganda.

Depending on your physical ability, weather conditions and available time, the guided hike may cover one, two or all three of the major waterfalls. The trails pass through local villages, farmland, coffee gardens and sections of natural vegetation, offering an authentic glimpse into everyday life around Mount Elgon. Your guide will explain the geography of the region, the formation of the waterfalls, local farming practices and the importance of coffee to the communities living around Sipi and Mount Elgon. You may walk to viewpoints overlooking the main waterfall, descend to the base of selected falls and enjoy excellent opportunities for landscape and nature photography. Some sections of the trail may be steep, slippery or muddy, particularly during the rainy season. Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip are therefore strongly recommended.

Depending on the confirmed programme, the Sipi Falls experience may also include a traditional Arabica coffee tour. During the experience, you will learn how locally grown coffee is planted, harvested, dried, roasted and prepared using traditional methods. After the hike and coffee experience, you will return to the lodge or visit a nearby restaurant for lunch.

The remainder of the afternoon will be available for relaxation at the lodge, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and scenic views of the Sipi region. Depending on the location of your accommodation and the weather conditions, you may also enjoy a beautiful sunset overlooking the surrounding valleys and plains.

Dinner and overnight will be at your selected lodge in the Sipi Falls region.

After breakfast at your lodge in the Sipi Falls region, you will check out and begin the journey to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. The drive takes you through the scenic landscapes of eastern Uganda, passing rural communities, farmland, rolling hills and open countryside.

Upon arrival at Pian Upe, you will meet a local ranger and begin a guided game drive through the reserve. Pian Upe protects an expansive wilderness of open plains, seasonal rivers, rocky outcrops, grasslands and scattered woodland. The reserve receives fewer visitors than Uganda’s better-known national parks, offering a quiet and adventurous wildlife experience. During the game drive, your driver-guide and ranger will search for zebras, elands, hartebeests, oribis, waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs and other plains wildlife. The reserve is also an important birding destination, with opportunities to observe raptors, ground birds, savannah species and seasonal migrants. Your guides will help identify the wildlife, explain animal behaviour and share information about the reserve’s landscape, ecosystems and conservation importance. The open plains, distant mountains and dramatic scenery provide excellent opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography.

After the game drive, you will have lunch at a suitable restaurant or picnic location before continuing the journey towards Moroto. The drive to Moroto takes you farther into Uganda’s northeastern region, where the landscape gradually changes to dry plains, rocky hills and distant mountain ranges. You will arrive in Moroto during the late afternoon or early evening and check in at your selected lodge. Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge in Moroto.

After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin the journey towards Kidepo Valley National Park.

The drive takes you deeper into northeastern Uganda through remote towns, rural communities, open plains and dramatic mountain landscapes. This part of the journey offers an opportunity to observe the changing scenery and everyday life in one of Uganda’s least-visited regions. You will stop for lunch and comfort breaks along the route. Road conditions can vary depending on the season, and some sections of the journey may be rough or dusty.

As you approach Kidepo Valley National Park, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with wide savannahs surrounded by mountain ranges. Kidepo is one of Uganda’s most remote national parks and is known for its sense of wilderness, striking scenery and diverse wildlife.

Upon arrival, you will complete the park entrance formalities and continue to your lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you may encounter wildlife while transferring through the park. You will check in, relax and enjoy the sunset over the surrounding wilderness. Dinner and overnight will be at your selected lodge in or near Kidepo Valley National Park

After an early breakfast, you will begin a full day of wildlife exploration in Kidepo Valley National Park. The morning game drive will focus on the Narus Valley, one of the park’s most productive wildlife-viewing areas.

Because the Narus Valley contains permanent water sources, it attracts large concentrations of animals, particularly during the drier months. Possible wildlife sightings include African elephants, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and several antelope species. The valley is also one of the best areas in the park to search for lions. With patience and good fortune, you may also encounter leopards, spotted hyenas or other predators. Kidepo’s open landscapes and mountain backdrop create excellent conditions for wildlife photography. You will return to the lodge for lunch and a short period of relaxation.

In the afternoon, you will continue exploring another section of the park. Depending on road conditions, weather and wildlife movements, the afternoon drive may take you deeper into the Narus Valley or towards the more remote Kidepo Valley which is known for its seasonal river, open plains, rugged mountains and semi-arid landscapes. Where accessible, you may visit scenic viewpoints or selected areas of interest within the valley. Your driver-guide will determine the most productive route according to current park conditions and information from other guides. You will return to the lodge around sunset for dinner and overnight rest.

After an early breakfast, you will prepare for a full-day cultural experience with the Ik community. The Ik live in the mountainous landscapes of northeastern Uganda and have maintained a distinctive cultural identity shaped by their environment, history and traditional livelihoods.

The exact format of the visit will depend on the selected community, local access arrangements, weather conditions and the physical ability of the travellers. Some Ik cultural experiences may involve a long drive followed by a demanding guided walk or mountain hike. Other arrangements may involve meeting community representatives at a more accessible location. Your guide will explain the expected walking distance and level of difficulty before the activity begins.

During the experience, community members may share information about traditional homes, food production, family life, crafts, music, dance, farming and the challenges of living in a remote mountainous environment. The visit will be conducted respectfully and according to community guidelines. Photography should only take place after receiving permission from the individuals involved. The experience provides an opportunity for meaningful cultural exchange while supporting community-led tourism and local livelihoods.

You will have lunch during the excursion, either as a packed meal or through another arrangement confirmed before departure. After the visit, you will return to your lodge in the Kidepo region. Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge.

After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin the journey to Gulu. The drive takes you through the landscapes and communities of northern Uganda.

You will pass rural settlements, farmland and several roadside towns before arriving in Gulu. Lunch will be enjoyed along the route or upon arrival, depending on the departure time and travel progress. After checking in at your selected hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening will be at leisure.

No organised activities are planned for this day, allowing you to rest after the long journeys, wildlife drives and cultural experiences of the previous days. You may relax at the hotel, use the available facilities or take a short independent walk around the surrounding area where appropriate. Dinner and overnight will be at your selected hotel in Gulu.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. The drive takes you south through northern and central Uganda, passing roadside towns, farmland and rural communities. You will stop for lunch and comfort breaks along the route. The final drop-off location will be arranged according to your departure flight schedule or post-safari accommodation plans.

Guests staying in Kampala may be dropped at their hotel, residence or another agreed location while travellers staying in Entebbe will be transferred to their selected lodge or hotel in Entebbe and guests with a late-evening or night departure may be transferred directly to Entebbe International Airport.

Because the journey from Gulu is long and traffic around Kampala can be unpredictable, travellers departing on Day 10 are highly advised to book a late-night international flight. An additional night in Entebbe may be arranged for guests who prefer a more relaxed conclusion to the safari.

Your arrival in Kampala, Entebbe or at the airport marks the end of your 10-Day Kidepo, Pian Upe, Sipi Falls and Jinja Safari