A 9 Days Uganda Safari Itinerary: How to spend 9 Days in Uganda

Safari Overview: 9 Days Uganda Safari

9 Days Uganda safari is an exclusive wildlife tour and white water rafting on the Nile River. This 9 Days Uganda safari takes to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kidepo, and Jinja.

9 Days Uganda Safari comprises a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Sipi Falls, and Jinja at the source of the Nile for rafting. On this 9 days Uganda wildlife Tour, travelers have many wildlife viewing experiences as well as the visit and hike the scenic Sipi falls and go white water rafting on the Nile River. White water rafting isn’t for the faint-hearted however one of the best adventure activities you can undertake while on an Uganda safari. This 9-Day Uganda Safari is available all year round, can be undertaken by any kind of traveler including families, solo travelers, groups, and couples. The trip is fit for all budgets be it Budget, mid-range, or luxury.

Safari in Uganda – Kidepo Valley National Park – Karamoja Region

Safari by day Highlight: 9 Day in Uganda Safari

• Day #1: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
• Day #2: Undertake a morning game drive, boat cruise, and hike to the top of the falls.
• Day #3: Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park.
• Day #4: Morning game drive and evening nature walk in Kidepo Valley National Park.
• Day #5: Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park.
• Day #6: Transfer from Kidepo Valley National Park to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa
• Day #7: Hike Sipi Falls and transfer to Jinja
• Day #8: White water rafting on the Nile River
• Day #9: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport marking the end of your 9 Days Uganda safari white water rafting and wildlife tour.

Safari by day Itinerary: 9 Days Uganda Safari

Day #1: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.

From Kampala at your place of residence or lodge, your tour guide will pick you up for a drive northwards to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

You reach the sanctuary after about a 2-3 hours drive reaching in time for Rhino tracking that takes about 2 hours. After Rhino tracking, you then have lunch en route to Murchison Falls Park. Arriving in the evening, you have a short game drive en route to your lodge arriving in time for check-in, relaxation, and dinner. You spend a night at a preferred accommodation in Murchison Falls Park.

Drive time: 4-5 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options: Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge/Paraa safari Lodge, Midrange: Pakuba safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge, Budget: Heritage safari Lodge/Red Chili Rest Camp

Day #2: Undertake a morning game drive, boat cruise, and hike to the top of the falls.

Amazing Wildlife Safari in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

In the morning after breakfast, your guide will be ready to take you to the jungle in search of wildlife and bird species. The game drive exposes you to sightings of wildlife species like Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Kobs, Buffaloes, baboons, and many more. After the game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, you then return to your lodge for lunch and refresh. Transfer for the boat cruise/launch trip to the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls with spectacular views and a view of several aquatic species on the river banks. From the bottom of the falls, you then start the hike to the top of the falls. The hike lasts about 1 hour with scenic views and great photography experiences. At the top, you meet your driver guide for transfer back to your lodge where you spend the night.

Drive time: 4-5 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options: Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge/Paraa safari Lodge, Midrange: Pakuba safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge, Budget: Heritage safari Lodge/Red Chili Rest Camp

Day #3: Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park.

On this third day of your 9 days trip, you have breakfast at leisure and then get to your 4×4 safari vehicle for a transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. The drive takes you for about 303 Km with the last about 154 Km on a rough road. You will arrive at Kidepo Valley National Park by sunset and depending on your accommodation facility you will have an en-route game drive. Reaching a booked lodging facility, you check-in and have dinner before spending the night there.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge, Midrange/standard: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru wilderness camp, Budget/basic: Apoka Bandas

Day #4: Morning game drive and evening nature walk in Kidepo Valley National Park.

After a night in Kidepo, you wake up for breakfast then embark on a morning game drive in the plains of Kidepo. The game drive takes the Kakine circuit just close to Apoka, the trail may offer you a chance to see wildlife species including Buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Rock hyrax, Elands, Giraffes, Zebras, side-striped jackal, and many more. Alongside wildlife, you may also see several bird species. After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening, you take a nature walk through the park. Along with a ranger guide, you walk within nature for about 2 hours. Return to your lodge for dinner and a night’s stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Accommodation options: Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge, Midrange: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru wilderness camp, Budget: Apoka Bandas

Day #5: Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park.

On your second morning at Kidepo Valley National Park, you’ll have breakfast then get back to the park for another morning game drive. This morning you take the circuit to the “hot springs” at the furthest point of the park. For this drive, ensure to carry insect repellent since their tsetse flies in some parts of this section. Many park endemics survive on this side of the park and you may sight the dik-dik (smallest antelope), cheetah, and birds like Ostriches.

Going past the Kidepo River, you have an amazing view of the scenic mountains around the park. After this morning game drive, you return to the lodge for lunch and then relaxation. In the evening you go for your last game drive. Taking a different circuit still, expect to see more wildlife species.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Accommodation options: Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge, Midrange: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Nga’moru wilderness camp, Budget: Apoka Bandas

Day #6: Transfer from Kidepo Valley National Park to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa

Kidepo Valley National Park | Uganda

This morning you have your breakfast then be transferred Eastwards to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa. The drive goes past the communities of the Karamojong that are generally unique from other regions of Uganda. The drive takes about 300 km lasting over 6 hours. You reach Sipi falls area by evening heading straight to your booked accommodation facility for relaxation. You enjoy a more cool setting on the slopes of Mountain Elgon compared to the warmer temperatures of Kidepo Valley National Park.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Sipi River Lodge, Mid-range: Rafiki Lodge, Budget: Lacam Lodge

Day #7: Hike Sipi Falls and transfer to Jinja

Waking up in the beautiful countryside, you have breakfast and then go for the hike to Sipi falls. Sipi falls is a series of three falls in Eastern Uganda at the edge of Mount Elgon National Park. The hike takes you on a tour within an amazing and scenic waterfalls area with a great greenery backdrop. After the Sipi falls hike, you then return to your lodge for lunch and later on transfer to Jinja. The drive lasts 3-4 hours arriving in the evening. Your driver-guide ensures check-in at a booked hotel or lodge in Jinja.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Wild Waters Lodge, Mid-range: Jinja Safari lodge, Budget: Kingfisher Safaris Resort

Day #8: White water rafting on the Nile River

Rafting the Nile – Jinja, Uganda

Waking up at the banks of the Nile River, you have a relaxed breakfast then go for white water rafting. Rafting requires no prior experience as practical tips are given before the rafting start. Along with experienced Kayakers you spend about 5 hours on a full-day rafting experience. After rafting, you have late lunch then return to your lodging facility for relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Wild Waters Lodge, Mid-range: Jinja Safari lodge, Budget: Kingfisher Safaris Resort

Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport

On this last day of your trip, you have a relaxed breakfast and then embark on the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. The drive lasts 2-3 hours. Depending on your scheduled flight, you are driven to the airport or can have a short city tour.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

End of the 9 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari and Water rafting

Your Safari Route – 9 Days Uganda Safari

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