Discover Eastern & Northern Uganda

After an early morning breakfast near your lodgings in Kampala, you will head out to the east. Your first stop along the way will be at the Sezibwa Falls for a quick nature walk to stretch. Then You’ll head towards the town of Jinja, stopping for another nature walk in the Mabira Forest.
This is the biggest rain forest in central Uganda and has been protected since 1932. Here your guide will tell you of the enormous biodiversity of this amazing forest, and how there are over 315 bird species, 312 tree species, 218 butterfly species and much more. There are a ton of activities available in the Mabira Forest, including birding, nature walks, camping, community and study tours, and zip-lining.

You’ll then proceed for a late lunch at the source of the Nile River. It’s a wondrous experience because it’s at this spot that the journey of the 4,130-mile long Nile River begins meandering through four countries, including Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt before ending at the Mediterranean Sea. It’s also near this site that John Speke stood as the first European to get to the source of the Nile.

For those who are adventurous, you can try out white-water rafting, canoeing and bungee jumping, as well as quad biking and horseback riding.

After breakfast you will proceed to Mbale, home of the Bamasaba. You’ll learn about how in their culture becoming a man means one must go through the circumcision ceremony – as a teenager, and in front of the entire tribe. The dancing and singing that takes place in the run up to the actual event makes the Imbalu a unique ceremony to Western eyes. Your guide will also explain how the Bamasaba honor their traditional ancestors during the ceremony, and you’ll get to speak with the locals about how traditional beer called malwa is poured on the ground so that the ancestors can also share in the event and give their blessings. You will enjoy a hearty dinner with your new friends before retiring for the night.

Today your group will visit a street children’s rehabilitation center and help out with their daily rehabilitation program. You’ll learn about the challenges these kids face having grown up in this poverty-stricken and often violent region, and the strength of their resolve to overcome these challenges. You’ll also get to engage in some sports activities with them and later have lunch together as you trade stories about your different lives.

You’ll catch an early dinner before heading out for a night street walk with your local guide so you can experience the true and actual picture of how and where the local street kids spend their nights.

After an early breakfast you’ll head out to drive to the slopes of Mount Elgon. Here you’ll do a day’s hike into the mountains and visit the spectacular Sipi Falls. People from the local communities will join you for yet another unique opportunity for genuine and personal cultural exchange.

At dawn you will wake up to a quick breakfast before heading out to your first stop at the Pian Upe Game Reserve. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will prepare you for the upcoming adventure, and offer you all you need to know about your introduction to wild game viewing. Ostriches and cheetahs are plentiful for starters, but that’s just to mention a few of the plethora of beasts that will be on view today.

After lunch you will proceed to the town of Moroto, passing through some of the greatest views in East Africa before arriving in time for dinner and a good night’s rest.

A big breakfast will get you started today as you enjoy your last bit of civilization as you head out to the famous Karamajong Manyattas for a unique overnight experience camping out in traditional canvas tents with local guides.

You’ll arrive early enough to pitch your tent and meet your new neighbors in the Manyatta community, and you’ll also get to spend some quality time with the Karamajong cattle ranchers and their families. The Karamajong are first cousins to the famous Masai and you’ll get to experience their particular lifestyle up close and personal. You will share traditional meals with them and enjoy a long night of folklore and storytelling by the fire.

After experiencing the early-morning cattle milking process and seeing how the cattle keepers start their daily routine and sharing breakfast with them, you’ll say goodbye to the Manyattas. It’s time to head back to civilization as you make your way to Kidepo Valley, arriving in time for dinner and an overnight.

Kidepo offers two full game drives a day and these can be very rewarding. After an early breakfast you’ll head out on one of these, then after lunch you’ll head over to Murchison Falls National Park where you’ll experience a boat launch and a visit to the top of the falls.

You will then transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and learn about the reintroduction of these magnificent beasts back into Uganda after having been extinct here for over 30 years. Head back to Kampala arriving in the early evening tired but contented.

Enjoy a relaxing day checking out more of Kampala, the shopping districts and handcraft stalls before getting ready to catch your flight home, exhausted but full of so many new experiences you can’t wait to share with friends and family!