6 Days Pian Upe wildlife reserve and Kidepo national park

6 Days Pian Upe wildlife reserve and Kidepo national park : This 6 Days Pian Upe wildlife reserve and Kidepo national park offers you an experience in the north eastern part of Uganda in the Karamojong region. This trip features Sipi falls on the foothills of Mount Elgon, Pian Upe wildlife reserve which is one of Uganda’s newly recognised tourist destinations with raw and beautiful scenery joined to other two wildlife protected areas in the North-eastern part of Uganda, Kidepo national park which is the most remote national park rich in wildlife experience as compared to any other national park in Uganda.

Safari highlights

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Sipi falls
Day 2: Transfer to Pian Upe wildlife reserve
Day 3: Explore the reserve on a game drive and community tour
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo national park – evening game drive
Day 5: Explore Kidepo national park
Day 6: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Sipi falls

Early morning, meet your safari guide at a location you will advise in Kampala/Entebbe and embark on your journey to Sipi falls in Kapchwora district, it’s a 6-7 hours’ drive passing through Mabira forest, Jinja and different sugar plantations. Arrive for early lunch in Mbale town then connect to Sipi falls is located in the foothills of Mount Elgon just at the edge of Mount Elgon national park nearing the Kenya border and the falls consist of 3 waterfalls with the highest fall dropping at 100m. Depending on your ability, you can hike 2 of the waterfalls or hike all the 3 falls. Before nightfall return to your lodge for dinner and overnight

Luxury accommodation option – Sipi River Lodge
Mid-range accommodation option – Lacum lodge
Budget accommodation option – Casa Sipi falls lodge

Day 2: Transfer to Pian Upe wildlife reserve – evening game drive

After breakfast, transfer to Pian Upe wildlife reserve. It is about 2-3 hours’ drive form Sipi falls of Kapchowra district located on foothills of Mount Elgon. Have en-route lunch in one of the close towns to the reserve. Proceed to the reserve and connect for an evening game drive the connect to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay at your own set up tent near the park headquarters or Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas for budget option or stay at Karamojong Overland Camp for mid-range option.

6 Days Pian Upe wildlife reserve and Kidepo national park

Day 3: Explore the reserve on a game drive and community tour

After your breakfast, set off for a morning game drive in the savannah plains to search for reserve residents including the cheetahs, Uganda’s only population of the Roan antelopes, the Elands, Zebras, Hartebeests, Oribis, Gunther’s Dik Dik, Uganda Kobs, Buffaloes, blue and Common Duiker and Impalas to mention a few. Return for lunch and later afternoon; visit a local Karamoja community close to the park for a rare cultural experience in dance and drama performances and also be able to learn more about the community. Before nightfall, return to your camp for dinner and overnight stay

Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo national park – evening game drive

After your breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey to Kidepo valley national park. The park is located in the far North Eastern part of Uganda taking about 5-6 hours’ drive. The drive is spectacular with great views of the countryside and as you approach Karamonja region. You will have lunch upon check-in your lodge , you will be cleared at the entry and proceed to your accommodation for check-in. Kidepo national park is very beautiful with incredible views of the mountains and hills. Connect for an evening game drive in Narus valley to find some of the animals like the elephants, zebras, buffaloes and many more. Return to the lodge for dinner will be served at your convenience

Accommodation and meals (En-route lunch and half board)

Luxury option – Apoka Safari lodge/Adere Safari lodge
Mid-range option – Kidepo Savannah lodge/Nga Moru Wilderness Camp
Budget option – Apoka Rest Camp

Day 5: Game drive in Kidepo valley and hot springs visit

After breakfast, drive to the wild for your morning game drive and explore the park in Narus valley. After lunch, drive for a game drive in Kidepo valley in anticipation of seeing some of the animals, the Ostrich birds and also visit the hot springs of Kanangorok before you return to your lodge. Spend the rest the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.

Day 6: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe

After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 10-12 hours’ drive from Kidepo national park to Kampala with en-route lunch. You will be dropped off a location you advise in Kampala be dropped at Entebbe airport for your departure flight back home.