Wild North East

Destination: Entebbe
Drive: 10 km | 0.5 hours

Welcome to Uganda! As soon as you enter the airport you will be embraced by a pleasant temperature and hopefully a charming smile from the immigration officer. Take this day to relax from your journey in Entebbe. Entebbe is a peaceful lakeside town located an hour and a half away from the busy capital Kampala.

Budget / Mid-range: Viavia Guesthouse

Start: Entebbe
Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Drive: 205 km | 5+ hours

Today you will receive your vehicle and drive towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.  As you’re passing through Kampala, allow plenty of travel time for some (un)expected, world-famously slow, Kampala traffic jam. Reaching the sanctuary you have time to visit 22 Southern White Rhinos, who are part of Ziwa’s breeding program.  The sanctuary is also a great spot for bird watching, nature walks and relaxation.

Accommodation options:
Budget: Ziwa Guesthouse
Mid-range: Amuka Lodge

Start: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Drive: 170 km | 4+ hours.

From Ziwa, you will hit the road towards Murchison Falls National Park. Use the morning to visit the top of the falls, or go chimp trekking at Budongo Forest Reserve. You're going to cross the entire park and take the ferry in the afternoon towards the northern section, with a game drive en route to the lodge.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: Fort Murchison 

Enjoy: Murchison Falls National Park

We suggest you take a full day to explore Murchison Falls National Park with a self–driving safari or game drive with a ranger. As animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, these are the best hours to drive around looking for game. Other activities include a boat trip to the base of the falls, or take a smaller boat downriver from Paraa lodge towards the Nile river delta where it flows into Lake Albert.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: Fort Murchison.

Start: Murchison Falls National Park
Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Drive: 350 km | 7+ hours

Today you will spend a full day driving through Northern Uganda, the least developed region of Uganda. Gulu is nice for an afternoon break - we recommend Café Larem for a good coffee and a fresh piece of banana cake. By the way, if people shout Muno, they are talking to you (mzungu).  If someone asks "kopango?" (how are you?), you reply "kopêh!" (good). At the end of the day you’ll reach Kidepo Valley National Park. Please make sure to top up your fuel in Kitgum before entering the park.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Enjoy: Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is the hidden gem of Uganda, containing diverse landscapes, from steep mountain ranges to vast plains, and is home to almost 500 bird species and 77 different mammals. Out on the savannas, you are likely see an impressive collection of animals including ostriches, hartebeest, buffaloes, giraffes and predators like lions, cheetahs and leopards.

Start: Kidepo Valley National Park
Destination: Moroto
Drive: 260 km | 5+ hours

Over the coming days you will discover Karamoja. Allow a full day to reach Moroto - the landscape along the way is stunning. When you reach Moroto, immerse yourself in the nomadic pastoral culture of the Karamojong by experiencing daily life in a traditional manyatta and spend an evening (optional night camp) in the kraal. Book in advance. 

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: Kara-Tunga Guesthouse

Enjoy: Moroto

The following morning you can get ready for some leg stretching as Mount Moroto offers a fantastic climbing opportunity through a beautiful natural wilderness setting. During your hike, you'll pass some small villages and the guides will be able to tell you everything about the local lifestyle and culture. You can explore this mountain in either one or two days - the latter comes with a camp on the mountain. The hike can be slightly strenuous. Expect that the one day hike will take approx. 6 hours.

Start: Moroto
Destination: Sipi Falls
Drive: 175 km | 4+ hours.

We are going further south today. You will drive to Sipi Falls, at the foothills of Mount Elgon, home to a series of three spectacular waterfalls, some of the best Arabica coffee in the world, and beautiful sunsets! Sipi Falls is a place to enjoy some great hiking, but also a place just to relax and unwind in a cool peaceful climate.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge

Enjoy: Sipi Falls

Plenty of activities can be organised from the lodge. One of the most popular is to explore the three waterfalls with a local guide. Other activities include a coffee tour, mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, trout fishing and day hikes in Mount Elgon National Park. Our personal favourite is to hang out in the beautiful garden of the lodge and relax. 

Budget / Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge

Start: Sipi Falls
Destination: Jinja
Drive: 220 km | 4+ hours

The source of the Nile is on the menu for today - also referred to as the “Adventure Capital of East Africa”. It's an easy drive, and you can stop over in Jinja town for lunch. We recommend the delicious sandwiches and smoothies at The Deli. Cross the river Nile and turn east towards The Haven, about 30 minutes drive from Jinja Town.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: The Haven

Enjoy: Jinja

Jinja has a lot to offer, including class-5 rafting with Nalubale or Adrift, mountain biking with Bikeventures Uganda, horse riding, a sunset cruise on the Nile river, fishing and more. Jinja town is also nice to wander around for an afternoon.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: The Haven

Start: Jinja
Destination: Entebbe
Drive: 130 km | 4+ hours

Return to Entebbe and drop off the car at the airport, or at your accommodation. As you’re passing through Kampala, allow plenty of travel time for some (un)expected, world-famously slow Kampala traffic jam. If you have spent the night at The Haven, you can take the newly rebuilt northern route via Kayunga – Gayaza.

Accommodation options:
Budget / Mid-range: Via Via Guesthouse

Enjoy: Entebbe

Last day in the Pearl of Africa. Enjoy the relaxed and beautiful gardens of ViaVia Guesthouse or head out to chill at the shores of Lake Victoria.