True to its title, this trip offers 11 unforgettable days in Eastern Uganda, where you will not only re-discover the source of river but also feel its pulse by pursuing a rafting excursion in it. This will be followed by a visit to the foothills of Mountain Elgon which is home to vast plantations of Arabica coffee and Uganda’s highest waterfall. Making the most of your stay in this region, you will also explore Nyero, where you discover lots of well-preserved prehistoric paintings. A drive further up-North will bring you to Karamjoa region, where you will immerse in authentic traditional ways of life of the Karamojong tribe. At Kidepo National Park, you will have game drives and nature walks in search of four of the Big 5. From there on, you will start to journey back to Kampala, making overnight and day stopovers at Gulu, a town which is home to Fort Patiko, a former slave port. The other stopover is Ziwa rhino sanctuary, a breeding conservancy with a thriving population of the Northern white rhino species.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport & Transfer to Jinja
Following your arrival into Uganda via its main airport, you will be picked up by our driver guide for a three hours journey to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital.
Overnight accommodation will be at Adrift Overland Camp, a lovely property that overlooks River Nile.
Day 2: White Water Rafting and visit to source of River Nile.
Today’s breakfast will be followed by a full day rafting excursion on River Nile, a thrilling adventure that will treat you to an awesome dose of adrenaline rush. Lunch will be served on one of the small scenic islands in the river.
Alternatively, you could head out for a tour of the source of river Nile and the historical attractions around it. This adventure can be combined with bungee jumping or a two hours horseback riding adventure or quad biking excursion. Both unfold along village trails that allow you to discover the day-to-day lives of the Basoga tribe. Lunch will be at a river side restaurant.
Day 3: Road trip to Sipi Falls.
Wake up to a beautiful sunrise and after enjoy a nourishing breakfast that offers a great way to start the day. Thereafter, check out of Adrift overland Camp and embark on a five hour road trip to the foothills of Mountain Elgon, the second highest landmark in Uganda.
Here, you will stay in Sipi Lodge, a simple but delightful property that overlooks the Eastern arm of the rift valley. It is within walking distance from Sipi Falls, Uganda’s highest water fall.
Day 4: Hike Sipi Falls and Coffee Tour
Uganda is known to be one of the best coffee producers in the world. There is no better way to discover what makes it outstanding that by pursuing a farm to cup experience that will intrigue you with what happens behind the scenes. First though, you will have a half day hiking experience during which you will tour the three waterfalls of Sipi.
Day 5: Drive to Moroto for an Immersion into Karamojong culture
Today’s journey is destined further upwards into North Eastern Uganda, the home of the Karimojong, a tribe of nomadic warriors. The main stopover of the day is at Nyero Rock Painting, a historical treasure trove with ancient paintings.
Overnight stay will be at Karatunga lodge.
Day 6: Karamoja Culture Trail
On this day, you will experience the A-Z about the Karamojong, the sister tribe of Kenya’s Masai. Prime focus will be on their social, political and historical way of life. The experience is authentic and unfolds at their traditional homesteads, also known as the Manyata.
Spend another splendid night at Karatunga.
Day 7: Drive to Kidepo
Have breakfast and set off for Kidepo National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch. You will stay at Savannah Safari Lodge, a tented accommodation facility in the middle of the wilderness.
You will spend much of this day at leisure as you allow your body’s batteries to recharge ahead of the next day’s adventure.
Day 8: Game Drives in Kidepo National Park
The main activity for this day is 3-5 hours morning game drive that will wow you with the breathtaking sites and sounds of biodiversity including a profusion of big game and over 77 mammal species.
The nature walk that you will have in the afternoon in its rugged, semi-arid valley offers a refreshing break from the day to day drives.
In the evening, you will be treated to an endearing camp fire experience.
Spend another splendid night at Savannah safari lodge.
Day 9: Drive to Gulu
Today’s breakfast will be followed by a half day drive to Gulu, a cosmopolitan town in northern Uganda that is home to the Acholi tribe.
You will arrive in time for lunch an afternoon tour of Fort Patiko, a former slave market in the outskirts of the town.
Thereafter, you will proceed to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 10: Travel back to Entebbe
After breakfast, you will set for a six hours journey to Kampala en-route Karuma, one of the most scenic and utterly powerful waterfalls of River Nile en-route. Your lunch break will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will have a bushwalk in search for the northern-white rhinos.
Thereafter, you will proceed with an express drive to Entebbe town, where you will spend an overnight journey on this last day of your stay in Uganda.
Day 11: Transfer to Entebbe Airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport ahead of your departure to the next destination or back home.
