9 Days Uganda Family Safari

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be picked up from Entebbe airport by a representative of your accommodation for tonight. You will meet your driver/ guide tomorrow morning when he picks you up from your hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to do some optional activities in Entebbe like a visit to the Botanical gardens or the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Please note that all activities today are at your own cost.

Journey Time: 10 minutes

Accommodation: Karibu Guest House

Meal plan: No meals included

Karibu Guesthouse (Mid-range) is an ideal place to spend a relaxing night. From the open-air veranda and upstairs terrace, you can enjoy the abundant birdlife in the garden, the sunset over Lake Victoria or the brilliant night sky. The seven uniquely designed rooms can all be configured to accommodate single, twin or double bookings and have en suite bath. Wi-Fi Internet is available free of charge and staff speak English, French, and Spanish.

Today after breakfast, you will go on an exciting adventure with the entire family. You will wake up early and join the UWEC keepers in the kitchen to prepare the food for the animals, then jump on the tractor moving from one exhibit to another and help feed an amazing array of exotic and endangered animals from giraffes to lions to rare birds. You will get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes as you attend keeper briefings, participate in recording of animal behaviour, or maybe even get the chance to perform health checks or help feed and rehabilitate a rescued animal. This could be your most rewarding and fulfilling day of work ever.

After this amazing experience you will make your way to the second largest town and the colonial manufacturing hub, Jinja. In Jinja, the Nile River begins its journey from Lake Victoria all the way up to the Mediterranean Sea. Many activities are available around town.

Journey time: 1 ½ hours

Accommodation: The Nile Porch – Family bungalow

Meal plan: Breakfast

Nile Porch (Mid-range) is situated on the banks of the Victoria Nile, just downstream of its source, overlooking the spectacular Bujagali Falls; the Nile Porch offers a unique experience in comfortably appointed semi tented en suite accommodation.

Unwind and relax next to the crystal blue swimming pool and enjoy the abundance of native fauna and flora and look forward to a sumptuous meal at the Black Lantern restaurant before retiring to a peaceful night sleep with the sound of the Nile flowing by on its journey to the Mediterranean Sea.

Today you may decide to go for some of the optional activities in Jinja. Please note that all activities today are at your own expense. In Jinja, you will stay at the Nile Porch

Today you can relax at the lodge or choose optional activities:

• White water rafting (full day USD 145 / half day USD 125)
• A horseback safari (USD 100 for 2 hours / USD 150 for 3 hours)
• Quad-biking (USD 70 for 2 hours / USD 90 for 3 hours)
• A day of white-water kayaking on the river (USD 120)
• A sundowner cruise on the Nile (USD 90)
• A visit to the source of the Nile
• A visit to Jinja market

Accommodation: The Nile Porch – Family bungalow

Meal plan: Breakfast

Today, you will be transferred to beautiful Sipi Falls that are on a plateau of1800m above sea level.

The Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, forming a spectacular series of waterfalls, some nearly 100m high, surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. You will stay in a wonderful lodge. From your lodge you have beautiful views over one of the waterfalls.

Journey Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge- Family cottage

Meal plan: All meals

Sipi River Lodge (Semi-luxe) is by far the most comfortable place to stay in Sipi Falls. Sipi River Lodge is wonderfully set amongst the Kapsurur Falls (the second of the three Sipi waterfalls), several caves and peaceful gardens to explore. The Lodge is run with only a small number of guests at any time making it a very ‘home away from home’ experience. The food is among the best in Uganda and the fire place makes the cozy restaurant warm during the cold nights. The 3 spacious cottages are self contained. They as well have some wonderful non-self contained bandas, which are more affordable and come with the same service standards. In this case it would be more like a mid-range option

Today after breakfast, you can choose to go on a 3 hour or for the real adventurers a 7 hour hike through the region. A local guide takes you on your hike to explain flora, fauna and culture of the area. Whichever option you choose, you can be certain that you will pass many picturesque waterfalls, plantations and caves.

Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge

Meal plan: All meals

Today after early breakfast, you continue your journey to Murchison Falls National park. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in Uganda, covering an area of over 3,840 km². The park’s name derives from its famous waterfall: the mighty Murchison Falls, which are formed where the Victoria Nile powerfully forces its way through a narrow cleft before plunging 43m down with a thunderous roar. You will be staying at a great mid-range lodge.

Journey Time: 8 hours

Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge- Family cottage

Meal plan: All meals

Murchison River Lodge (Mid-range) has been carefully and sensitively built on the edge of the mighty River Nile, overlooking pods of hippos and Uganda’s stunning Murchison Falls National Park. Comfortable and relaxing accommodation is offered in the beautiful thatched cottages. The cottages are spacious and comfortable and the careful finishing make each one truly special.

Today after breakfast, you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park.  The 3,893 sq km park is home to a range of animals, and you will have a chance of viewing some of the Park’s residents including lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants.  For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary bird and the black chested snake eagle, to name a few.

In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 8 meter gap plunging 43 meters into the Nile on the way to Lake Albert.  The banks of the Nile are densely populated with crocodiles, hippopotamus, and a range of other wildlife that come to the river to drink.

After the boat safari you will hike to the top of the falls. From here you have a wonderful view and fantastic photo opportunities!

Accomodation: Murchison River lodge- Family cottage

Meal Plan: All meals

Optional activity: Chimp tracking Budongo forest

Budongo Forest is located in the southern part of Murchison Falls NP and has the highest number of wild chimpanzees of Uganda. The habituated groups are located in Kaniyo Pabidi, where you can go for chimpanzee tracking. Budongo Forest has an incredible biodiversity that beside the chimpanzee includes several other species like the Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys and Olive baboons.

Costing: $95 us dollar p.p.

Optional activity: Hot air balloon safari

Discover Murchison Falls from the air and enjoy the unique experience of flying over Murchison Falls NP in a hot air balloon. You will have the most amazing views over the river Nile, Lake Albert, the great Murchison Falls and of course this is the best way to spot lots and lots of animals. You will start early morning, so you will see the sun rise over the park. After your balloon safari you will have a bush breakfast in the park (inclusive).

Costing: $380 us dollar p.p.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will go with an experienced ranger for rhino tracking. You will see the rhinos in a very close range.

Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks once had both black and white rhinos; however widespread poaching during the Idi Amin era resulted in the disappearance of these majestic animals from the wild. Founded in 1998, Rhino Fund Uganda works to reintroduce black and white rhinos into Uganda and runs a breeding program, as well as work to educate communities on endangered rhinos.

 You will stay in the family room of Amuka safari lodge. This semi-luxury lodge has everything you need in the bush, a nice swimming pool and cosy environment. It is located at walking distance from the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Journey Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge- Family room

Meal Plan: All meals

Today, your driver/guide will transfer you to Kampala or Entebbe airport for your international flight back home. Your flight must leave after 5 PM today. Otherwise we can organize an additional night in Entebbe or Kampala at an additional cost.

Journey Time: 6 hours

Meal Plan:  Breakfast

Meal Plan:  Breakfast and lunch

Note: children are between 2 years old till 15 years old. A 16-year-old is considered an adult and the adult rates apply.