Wilderness Escape
Fly to the northern reaches of Uganda, the untouched African wilderness. Imbibe the tranquil untouched savannah, explore secluded wildlife tracks, walk through the wild plains & hike on rugged mountain ridges to meet one of Africa’s most isolated tribes. Truly revitalise at your exclusive savannah lodge in the heart of the park, with breathtaking savannah panoramas and marvel at the star filled skies stretching overhead.
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Itinerary - Wilderness Escape [TACP10-002]
Day One
Welcome to Uganda
Transfer from Entebbe International Airport to Kampala.
Estimated transfer time: 1 hr.
Unwind at your cosmopolitan hotel and indulge yourself in their offering of luxury amenities. The hotel provides a swimming pool, range of lounges and rooftop bars from which to relax, so take in those fantastic views across the city and out to Lake Victoria. Feast your eyes and stomach in one of the hotel's fine restaurants serving some of the capital’s culinary highlights. Work up a glow in a modern gym with personal trainers of hand to assist you. Or pamper yourself with some true relaxation at the hotel’s spa with a range of treatments to make you feel truly revitalised before you begin your safari.
Meals included: not included
Accommodation: Latitude 0°, room.
Day Two
Fly to the Kidepo Valley Wilderness
Drive from Kampala to Kajjansi Airfield.
Estimated journey time: 30 mins.
Take to the skies and fly from Kajjansi Airfield to fly to Kidepo Valley Airstrip.
Estimated journey time: 1 hr 30 mins.
Explore the rolling savannah of the Narus Valley, flanked by the Morungule Mountain, Napore-Nyangea hills and Lonyili mountains framing this stunning wilderness panorama. The water flowing in the Narus Valley is seasonal, but there is permanent water access through a series of waterholes and wetlands, meaning for much of the year the park’s wildlife congregate here. On your wildlife drive you will be seeking out a variety of species such as Rothchild’s giraffes, elephants, Burchell’s zebra, lions and leopards. The park is also home to a wide variety of bovine species including the Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, African buffalo, Grant’s gazelle, greater & lesser kudu, eland and if you are very lucky, cheetahs. Explore the network of trails at your own pace, pausing to view the wildlife as you drive and enjoy one of Uganda’s most stunning savannah vistas.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge, room.
Day Three
Kidepo Valley & a Walk on the Wild Side
Rise early to begin your wildlife drive to the northern limits of Kidepo Valley National Park. Your route takes you north through golden savannah plains covering the floor of the Narus Valley, glowing in the soft morning light as the sun rises over the surrounding rugged hillsides. This is an excellent time of day to spot a variety of game herds including Burchell’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, African buffalo and Grant’s gazelle as you drive. Your route then passes over the seasonally dry Kidepo river, a likely spot to find large troops of baboons picking over the parched riverbed, before you drive on through a Borassus palm tree forest with the clatter of palm throngs filling the air around you. After winding through the forest you will emerge into the savannah scrub in the northern reaches of the park, where the Narus Valley and Kidepo Valley meet at the Kanangorok hot springs. This area is particularly known as the stomping ground for the flocks of ostrich found in the region, one of only two places in Uganda that you can view these charismatic birds. It’s also the best place to look for cheetahs, rarely found in Uganda, but which you’ll try to seek out. As the sun rises to its peak in the sky much of the wildlife retreats into what little shade they can find and you’ll make your way south back through the park into the Narus Valley.
Estimated excursion time: 6 hrs
Unwind at your lodge in unparalleled luxury in the heart of the wilds. Apoka Lodge is uniquely situated in the heart of the Narus Valley, meaning you can enjoy fantastic views over the savannah and towards the mountains in the distance. Take a dip to cool off from the heat of the day in the lodge’s private pool, unwind on the sun loungers, sink into comfortable sofas in the communal lounge to read a good book, or enjoy a cool drink from the bar with views over the waterhole to spot the local wildlife. Of course there are also the options of onsite massages or you can take a cooling bath on your private deck and enjoy the vista.
During the cooler hours of the day you will be driven out onto the savannah in the heart of the Narus Valley, where you will be joined by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger who will escort you on your walking safari. This is a great way to immerse yourself in wildlife to truly experience this unique savannah in an intimate way by getting up close and personal with nature. It’s also a refreshing change of perspective from driving in a vehicle. After a briefing you will leave your vehicle and walk at your own pace, with the length of the walking safari tailored to your preferences. Your ranger will help you track animals on foot on the savannah plains, answering all your questions about the park including its biodiversity and history. As you trek through the park you will mostly be on the lookout for game herds including the Burchell’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, Grant’s gazelle and Rothschild’s giraffe. Don’t worry, you’re perfectly safe from the wilder animals in the park with your wildlife ranger!
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge, room.
Day Four
Meet the Ik Tribe on Mount Morungole
Drive from Apoka Safari Lodge to Mount Morungole.
Estimated journey time: 1 hr (time may vary in rainy season).
Summit Mount Morungole to meet one of the most remote tribes on the continent, the Ik tribe. This is one of the most authentic cultural visits to a tribe anywhere in Africa, as the tribe receives relatively few visitors. Your hiking guides will be escorting you throughout your hike on Mount Morungole, answering all your questions about the tribe's history and culture as you walk in this breathtaking landscape. The route begins with a steady hike up the mountain, following winding dirt paths with the chance of spotting a variety of wildlife along the way. It will take you about 4 hours to reach the summit where you will gain spectacular panoramic views across the plains below, into Kenya and South Sudan way out in the distance. On reaching the Ik tribe's settlement you will visit the homesteads and meet some of the tribe members to learn about their daily life and culture. In the afternoon you will make the return hike down the mountainside to reach Kawalakol, from where you’ll be treated to a demonstration of a traditional dance performance by some members of the tribe. You will then complete the rest of the return trek, taking around 3 hours to reach the savannah plains below.
Estimated excursion time: 9 hrs
Drive from Mount Morungole to Apoka Safari Lodge.
Estimated journey time: 1 hr (time may vary in rainy season).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge, room.
Day Five
Flying from the Savannah Wilderness
In a secluded spot on the savannah you’ll find a breakfast camp complete with table and safari chairs laid out for you. You will be served a selection of freshly baked bread, Ugandan fruits, tea, freshly brewed coffee, tropical juices, while your chef will prepare eggs to your liking on their portable stove. From your shaded spot with Narus Valley views, you can relax to the sounds of the wild and enjoy the stunning savannah panorama playing out before you.
Estimated excursion time: 1 hr
Take to the skies and fly from Kidepo Valley Airstrip to fly to Kajjansi Airfield.
Estimated journey time: 1 hr 30 mins.
Drive from Kajjansi Airfield to Entebbe.
Estimated journey time: 30 mins.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not included.
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