An adventure through Uganda’s remote wilderness, rich culture and rare wildlife.
Discover Uganda’s hidden north with this Northern Uganda Safari. Visit Pian Upe, Kidepo, Murchison Falls & Ziwa in 10 days. Culture, wildlife and epic nature in one journey.
- Duration: 10 days, 9 nights
- Starts/ends: Kampala or Entebbe
- Best time to visit: All year round
- Travel type: Private or group tour
- Destinations: Jinja, Mbale, Sipi Falls, Pian Upe, Moroto, Kidepo Valley, Gulu Murchison Falls, Ziwa, Kampala
- Group size: Flexible – from solo traveller to small group
- Accommodation: Budget lodges and midrange hotels
Tour Price in USD (Per Person)
2 persons: from $2.799 p.p.
4 persons: from $1.875 p.p.
6 persons: from $1.560 p.p.
Prices are based on midrange accommodation. If a mentioned hotel is fully booked, we will provide a comparable alternative in the same price range, in consultation with you. Luxury options are available on request.
Discover your Route
Entebbe – Jinja – Mbale – Sipi – Pian Upe – Moroto – Nakapelemoru – Kidepo – Gulu – Murchison Falls – Budongo/Masindi – Ziwa – Kampala – Entebbe
No obligations – we’ll help you shape the perfect trip.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
10-Day Northern Uganda Safari: Culture, Wildlife & Waterfalls
Day 1 – Jinja & The Source of the Nile
Your guide will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. You’ll then head east towards Jinja, a lively town on the shores of Lake Victoria. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip to the source of the River Nile at Kingfisher Resort — a peaceful and symbolic place. After the tour, travel further to Mbale where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight: CWMbale, Mbale
Day 2 – Sipi Falls Exploration
After breakfast, travel to Sipi Falls for a guided hike of about 4 hours. The trail leads you past dramatic waterfalls, coffee farms, and scenic viewpoints. Your guide will share insights into local life and nature. A well-deserved lunch is included after the hike.
Overnight: UWA Bandas, Pian Upe
Day 3 – Wildlife in Pian Upe & Travel to Moroto
Start the day with an early game drive in Pian Upe, where you may spot hartebeest, oribi and even cheetahs. Visit the mysterious Napadet Cave, once a hideout for warriors. After lunch at the UWA bandas, continue your scenic journey to Moroto. The road winds through remote and rugged landscapes.
Overnight: Mount Moroto Hotel
Day 4 – Cultural Encounters & Into Kidepo
In the morning, visit Nakapelimoru, one of Uganda’s largest traditional villages. Meet members of the Karamojong community and learn about their customs and cattle culture. After this enriching experience, travel deeper north to reach Kidepo Valley National Park. Expect a breathtaking arrival in the savannah.
Overnight: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 5 – Game Drive in Kidepo & Transfer to Gulu
Wake up early for a morning game drive in the open plains of Kidepo. Spot lions, buffaloes and giraffes with mountains rising in the distance. After lunch, start your journey south towards Gulu. Arrive by late afternoon for a relaxing overnight stay.
Overnight: Northern Pearl Hotel, Gulu
Day 6 – Boat Safari on the Nile
Travel to Murchison Falls National Park and check in at your camp. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls. Watch hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds along the riverbanks. The cruise ends dramatically at the powerful falls.
Overnight: Red Chili Restcamp, Paraa
Day 7 – Safari & Visit Top of the Falls
Start the day with an early game drive through the savannah, searching for wildlife in their morning routines. Later, visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge. The thunderous sight is unforgettable. In the afternoon, transfer to Masindi for overnight.
Overnight: New Court View Hotel, Masindi
Day 8 – Chimpanzees & Rhino Tracking
Drive towards Budongo Forest for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Walk through dense forest in search of our closest relatives. Afterwards, continue to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a memorable walking rhino tracking safari guided by rangers. A full day of unique wildlife encounters.
Overnight: Bushpig Backpackers, Kampala
Day 9 – Discover Kampala
Spend the day exploring Kampala by car with your guide. Visit local crafts markets and get a taste of city life. It’s a chance to unwind, shop and reflect on your journey. In the evening, transfer to Entebbe.
Overnight: ViaVia Hotel, Entebbe
Day 10 – Departure
Depending on your flight time, enjoy a relaxing morning before your airport transfer. Your guide will make sure you arrive at the airport in time for your departure. End of the tour.
What’s Included
- Airport pickup and private transport
- All park fees and entrance charges
- Guided hikes and game drives
- All listed accommodations
- Boat cruise on the Nile in Jinja & Murchison Falls
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa
- Meals as specified
- English-speaking guide
- Bottled water during travel
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Uganda entry visa
- Personal expenses & tips
- Meals not mentioned
- Drinks and optional activities
Why a Northern Uganda Safari Deserves a Spot on Your Bucket List
Uganda’s Most Untouched Region
Northern Uganda offers a safari experience that’s refreshingly different. Fewer travellers reach this part of the country, which makes it feel raw, authentic and deeply personal. The landscapes are vast, the wildlife encounters intimate, and the cultural moments unforgettable.
This region isn’t overdeveloped or overrun with tourists — and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Pian Upe: Where Wild Still Means Wild
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is one of Uganda’s least explored gems. Its dry plains are home to cheetahs, hyenas, and rare antelope species such as the Roan Antelope. Game drives here feel like true expeditions — no convoys of vehicles, just you and nature.
For adventurous travellers, this is where a northern Uganda safari really begins.
Kidepo Valley: The Lion’s Last Frontier
Often dubbed “Africa’s best kept secret”, Kidepo Valley National Park is a place of silence, space and dramatic beauty. Surrounded by distant mountains and home to lions, elephants and giraffes, it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in East Africa — without the crowds.
Sunrise game drives here are unforgettable.
A Cultural Experience Among the Karamojong
In Moroto, you’ll meet the Karamojong, a semi-nomadic group with deep ties to cattle and tradition. Visits to villages like Nakapelimoru aren’t staged or touristy. They’re genuine, respectful, and eye-opening.
It’s a rare chance to engage with one of Uganda’s oldest cultures.
Water, Wildlife & Waterfalls
From the dramatic Murchison Falls to the calm source of the Nile in Jinja, water is a recurring theme in this tour. You’ll cruise rivers, hike near waterfalls, and watch elephants drink from the shore.
It’s nature in motion — and it’s beautiful.
Track Rhinos & Chimpanzees on Foot
This tour lets you meet two of Africa’s most iconic species up close — and on foot. At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you’ll follow white rhinos through open bushland. In Budongo Forest, you’ll hear the haunting calls of chimpanzees before you see them swing overhead.
These are moments that stay with you forever.
A Safari That Goes Deeper
This isn’t just a wildlife tour. It’s a chance to connect with Uganda’s soul — its people, landscapes, stories and conservation efforts. Whether it’s your first time in Uganda or your return to explore more, the north offers something unique.
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our Stories or explore tailor-made itineraries to craft your own version of this unforgettable safari.
Client Review
“During this journey I saw so much of the country. Each day was diverse and full of beautiful moments.”
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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Ready to explore Northern Uganda?
Let’s plan your adventure through Uganda’s wild and cultural north.