Tour Overview
In the remote northern region of Uganda, you’ll discover Africa as early explorers encountered it in the 19th century. This vast area is home to traditional villages, ancient cultures, and the colorful Karamojong tribe. You’ll also embark on a safari through a secluded park, where breathtaking landscapes and few tourists await. It’s an exciting adventure for those eager to experience Africa as it was known at the end of the 19th century.
Almost all activities listed in the 13-Day Off the Beaten Track Uganda Wildlife & Culture Safari are included in the tour price. At Greenway Nature Tours, we are always seeking new and unique experiences. For travelers looking to make the most of their time in Uganda, our experts are available to suggest even more exclusive excursions, such as a boda boda tour through Karamoja, an overnight stay with the Karamojong shepherds, or the renowned “Royal Mile” bird walk in Budongo Forest.
Tour Highlights
- Quiet start at the sources of the mighty Nile River
- Hike past waterfalls, local villages and chameleons in Sipi Falls
- Off the beaten track with the tribes in Karamoja
- To the beautiful Kidepo Valley National Park
- Adventure on the beautiful red roads of Northern Uganda
- Chimpanzee trekking in the little visited Budongo Forest
- Wildlife boat safari in Murchison Falls
Day By Day Itinerary
Once you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a driver who will take you to the first accommodation in Entebbe. Here you can enjoy a drink under the African starry sky and a well-deserved night's rest.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Airport Guest House
Midrange: The Boma Hotel Entebbe/2 Friends Beach Hotel
Luxury: Hotel No 5/Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa
Meal Plan: Diner
In the morning you’ll meet your guide and he will give you a briefing about your trip. Then you’ll drive via colorful markets and beautiful nature to the historical town of Jinja. Jinja is a town in eastern Uganda and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria. Before the arrival of the Europeans, it was a small fishing village. In the 19th century, several explorers went in search of the sources of the Nile. It was finally John Hannington Speke who found them in Jinja.
Today, Jinja attracts travelers who are drawn to its lush tropical beauty and the wide array of activities on offer. The Nile River is a playground for adventure enthusiasts, with rafting being a top recommendation due to the exhilarating rapids nearby. For those seeking more action, options like tubing, whitewater canoeing, mountain biking, and quad biking await. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can enjoy a serene horseback ride along the Nile or take a leisurely village walk. Of course, there's always the option to simply unwind at your lodge, taking in the stunning views of the river.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: 2 Friends Guest House Jinja/Have Eco River Lodge
Luxury: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge/Jinja Nile Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
In the morning, you'll have the flexibility to choose your activities. You may decide to spend more time in Jinja, perhaps enjoying another adventure, before heading to Sipi Falls after lunch. The journey to Sipi takes about three hours.
Sipi Falls, located in eastern Uganda on the edge of Mount Elgon near the Kenyan border, is a stunning area featuring three beautiful waterfalls. The falls and the Sipi River get their name from the 'Sep,' a local plant found along the riverbanks that is traditionally used by the community for medicinal purposes, such as treating measles and flu. The region is rich in natural beauty, with lush coffee plantations, winding rivers, striking waterfalls, vibrant chameleons, wild vegetation, and traditional African villages. You'll also enjoy breathtaking views of the expansive Karamoja savannahs.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Moses Homestay
Midrange: Sipi Heritage Lodge Banda
Semi Luxury: Sipi Heritage Lodge Waterfall Cottage
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
Today you will walk through this beautiful area– accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. During a walk through this green area, you will alternate between enormous waterfalls and the local village life of the Ugandan countryside.
You will also walk along streams and enjoy the colorful flowers and beautiful views. This is what the Garden of Eden must have looked like! If you opt for a full day of walking, you can visit three waterfalls and along the way you can spot chameleons in the coffee plantations. It is fun to swim in one of the streams and even take a cooling shower under a waterfall.
Aside from the falls you will have a chance for a coffee tour experience. The local coffee farmers will take you through the process of planting of the coffee from the nursery beds, into the coffee trees and harvesting. You will see how coffee is dried, roasted to make delicious coffee. If you would like to support the local farmers, you can do by purchasing some coffee to take back home as souvenir. This coffee tour helps in supporting the local coffee farmers who are also proud of showing their specialty in coffee production.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Moses Homestay
Midrange: Sipi Heritage Lodge Banda
Semi Luxury: Sipi Heritage Lodge Waterfall Cottage
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
After breakfast, you’ll set off for the remote northeastern region of Uganda, where your adventure takes you deep into Karamoja, far off the beaten path.
Tonight, you'll camp near the village of Moroto, nestled at the foot of Mount Moroto. This vast, untamed area is home to the Karamojong people, a tribe closely related to the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania. Completely removed from mainstream tourism, Karamoja is a hidden gem that aligns perfectly with the philosophy of Greenway Nature Tours—exploring new territories and cultures sustainably, where the benefits go directly to the local communities.
In the afternoon, visit a traditional Bokoro Manyatta, where life truly comes alive. As you arrive, you'll see the community busy with daily activities like milking animals, grinding sorghum, churning yogurt, brewing local beer, and constructing huts. You may even be invited to participate in age-old games, try your hand at carrying wood or a kalabash on your head, or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Since there’s no fixed itinerary, the experience is entirely spontaneous, letting you immerse yourself in the authentic, living culture of the Karamojong.
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This special day is dedicated to a scenic hike at the foot of Mount Moroto. The trail leads you to a natural pool, where the water flows down the steep mountain ridge and cascades over the plains of Karamoja. From the highest point of the walk, you'll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the Karamojong valley. Along the way, you'll also pass several manyattas belonging to the Tepeth tribe. The 10 km trail begins right in Moroto and climbs the mountain via a challenging yet rewarding path. This hike is considered moderately difficult, offering both natural beauty and a bit of adventure.
Alternatively, you can opt for a Boda Boda tour of Karamoja. Traveling by boda-boda (motorbike taxi) is an exciting way to explore the rugged, untamed landscapes of Karamoja. Sitting on the back of a motorbike, you’ll journey along quiet, colonial-era roads, immersing yourself in the wilderness of Uganda while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. With the freedom to stop wherever you wish, you can explore remote villages, interact with nomadic warriors, and learn about the region's rich pastoral culture.
The term "boda-boda" comes from the days when this mode of transport was used to carry people across the border between Kenya and Uganda. The name means "from border to border," which over time evolved into "boda-boda." It’s a fun and unique way to discover the heart of Karamoja!
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
In the morning, you have the option to embark on an exciting boda-boda (motorbike taxi) tour or a mountain biking adventure through the stunning landscapes of Karamoja.
Alternatively, you can choose to head to Kidepo Valley early and enjoy a game drive in the park in afternoon. The decision is yours! Kidepo, located in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda, is one of the country’s most pristine and untouched game parks, bordering South Sudan and northwest Kenya.
The park's vast savannah, punctuated by striking rock formations (known as kopjes) and framed by distant granite mountains, creates some of the most breathtaking panoramas in Uganda. With its low number of visitors, Kidepo remains a hidden gem waiting to be explored. The park's varied altitudes offer spectacular views and contribute to a remarkable diversity of plant and animal species. Some animals, like the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah, and wild dog, can only be found in Kidepo.
Of course, you'll also encounter the park's iconic wildlife—lions, leopards, and elephants—as well as an incredible 463 bird species.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Lazy Camping
Midrange: Kidep Savannah Lodge
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
This day is dedicated to full safari spectacle in Kidepo. You will make a jeep safari in the morning and also a safari in the afternoon. In between the two safaris you can enjoy your lunch and a moment of rest at your accommodation.
You can also choose to replace the afternoon safari with a walking safari. You also have the option to go on safari all day and not return to your lodge in between. In that case, arrange a packed lunch at your accommodation.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge – Lazy Camping
Midrange: Kidep Savannah Lodge
Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
Set off early for a scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park. The first three hours of the journey offer particularly stunning views, with the rest of the route also a visual treat. If you're staying on the south side of the Nile, your final stretch will take you through the park itself, where you can open the roof and start spotting wildlife on your very first safari.
By late afternoon, you'll arrive at your accommodation, where you can soak in the sounds of the wild and enjoy a beautiful view of the Nile. You'll spend the next four nights in this remarkable park.
Murchison Falls, Uganda's largest game reserve, is divided by the powerful Nile River. Known for its lush greenery, the park is one of the most verdant in Africa, thanks to its location along the Nile.
One of the park's most awe-inspiring sights is Murchison Falls itself—an incredible point where the Nile’s waters crash through a narrow gap, creating one of the most dramatic and powerful waterfalls in Africa. It’s truly a highlight on the Nile's long journey from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Fort Murchison Lazy - Camping
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
Today is dedicated to exploring the incredible wildlife and natural beauty of Murchison Falls. You’ll begin the day with an early morning jeep safari, venturing through the park in search of its diverse animals. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a thrilling boat safari along the Nile, where you’ll have the chance to spot hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and, if you’re lucky, even elephants enjoying a bath! After a day filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation to relax for the night.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Fort Murchison Lazy - Camping
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
Today, you'll begin with a morning jeep safari, immersing yourself in the park’s wildlife and stunning landscapes. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure, whether you choose to relax and unwind by the pool at your accommodation or stay active with another exciting boat safari. This second boat trip takes you to the breathtaking delta area, offering a completely different landscape from your first safari on the Nile. If you opt for the boat safari, it will be in the early morning, and the jeep safari will be shifted to the afternoon.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Fort Murchison Lazy - Camping
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
After breakfast, you'll head to the top of the magnificent waterfall that gives the park its name, where you'll enjoy a scenic walk with stunning views. Then, you'll make your way to Budongo Forest, a lush rainforest located in the southern part of Murchison Falls NP. Here, you take a chimpanzee trekking adventure in the rainforest. With the help of a ranger, you'll search for these fascinating primates, tracking them by broken branches, droppings, food scraps, and sounds. As you get closer to the chimpanzees, the excitement builds—sometimes you’ll spot them high in the trees, and other times they’ll be just a few meters away.
The forest comes alive with the intense calls of the chimps, making this experience one of the most unforgettable in Uganda. Unlike the more crowded chimpanzee treks in Kibale Forest, the smaller number of visitors here ensures a more intimate and rewarding experience.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Fort Murchison Lazy - Camping
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Diner
In the morning, you'll depart from Murchison Falls National Park and head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you'll have the incredible opportunity to walk right up to these majestic, towering rhinos. After your walk, you'll continue your journey to Entebbe, where you can enjoy an optional dinner by Lake Victoria, celebrating the unforgettable adventures of the past two weeks. In the evening, you'll be dropped off at the airport to catch your return flight.