Teens On Tour
Action packed eastern Uganda, perfect for high energy teens! Explore rainforest canopies by zip lining through Mabira Forest, raft the white waters of the river Nile and go off-road with quad bikes. Venture through eastern Uganda to abseil the sheer cliffs of Sipi Falls and hike the hillsides on this enticing volcano. Experience true adventure in the remote region of Karamoja by cycling, motorbike and spend a night camping under the stars with nomadic warriors. A fun packed memorable family adventure through some of Uganda’s wildest regions.
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Itinerary - Teens on Tour [TACP7-031]
Day One
Zip Lining Under the Rainforest Canopy
Drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Mabira Forest.
Estimated journey time: 2 hrs.
Explore Mabira Forest by climbing into the tree canopy and following a network of zip wires giving you excellent views and experiencing a rainforest like you never have before! Mabira Forest is the largest rainforest remaining in central Uganda and is valued for its high diversity of species. In the forest 310 species of trees have been recorded, 315 bird species and various monkeys such as grey-cheeked mangabeys and red tailed monkeys, which you will be able to spot swinging through the trees with you. You will be guided by your qualified zip-lining guide along a path through this ancient rainforest before being belated up the first tree into the rainforest canopy. You will then follow the network of zip-lines which are split into five sections, that stretch 250 metres in total, with the whole trip taking 3 - 4 hours to complete. The route passes over the Musamya river, Griffin Falls and stunning views through the rainforest where you can spot many birds and monkeys that live in treetops. All safety equipment for this trip is provided and is of strict international safety standards with imported climbing gear and high ropes. It’s sure to be a memorable and exciting trip into the rainforest!
Estimated excursion time: 4 hrs
Drive from Mabira Forest to Jinja.
Estimated journey time: 1 hr.
Venture onto one the world’s most famed rivers, on a guided kayak trip to the source of the Nile! Your local guide will lead you to the river’s source and impart his or her wisdom relating to the history of the discovery of the river. As you paddle on the river you will also be able to spot Fish Eagles, Pied Kingfishers, Malachite Kingfishers, Great Blue Turacos and Green Backed Herons along the riverbanks. The Source of the Nile is marked by a small island, on which you may be able to hear the rustle of giant monitor lizards living on the rocks. Your guide will be more than happy to snap a picture of you floating by the source, before you paddle back downstream. You will be carrying some special supplies on board so that you can relax with a drink in your hand throughout. That is of course while you’re not paddling!
Estimated excursion time: 2 hrs
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: The Kipling Lodge, royal cottage.
Day Two
White Water Rafting (grade 3)
On arrival at the rafting base begin with a breakfast briefing covering your day on the river, hosted by your experienced rafting guides. Then make your way down to the river’s edge where you’ll be given a detailed safety briefing, before launching into the river down a 40 metre water slide! This section of the river Nile meanders through some stunning scenery, and offers some of the most fun and safest white water in the world. Five rapids are rafted on this trip and a sixth rapid is surfed on river boards. You will stop before all rapids for an explanation of the planned route through. So if at any time you feel you would prefer to join the safety boat or where possible, walk around then rejoin the raft, this is absolutely fine. Calm stretches of water separate the rapids – perfect for getting your breath back, taking a swim and enjoy the views! At midday you will pull over amongst tropical islands and rapids for lunch. You will then continue the trip to surf the ‘Superhole’ on river boards or if you prefer take a leap off the boat into clear warm water for a swim or relax and enjoy the scenery. At the end of the rafting day you will pull over to the side of the river at the get out point to socialise with the team and enjoy some drinks and snacks.
Estimated excursion time: 6 hrs (4 - 5 hours rafting on the river)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: The Kipling Lodge, royal cottage.
Day Three
Quad Biking on the Nile
Make your way to the quad biking base on the banks of the river nile for your quad biking adventure. Before you begin you will be given a safety orientation and some practice laps of quad biking base circuit with your instructors. No previously quad biking experience is required and this activity is suitable for all levels. Depending on your level of experience and ability a route will then be planned for you before you set off with your experienced instructor on your quad biking safari.
Quad biking does require a reasonable level of fitness especially when taking longer trips which can last anywhere from one to four hours. Routes include following the banks of the river Nile giving you fantastic views of the river rapids, passing through forests, farmland and stopping off at riverside villages. If preferred, the pace of the trip can be slowed to allow you to stop off at the villages and to give you a break. Whichever route you take you will be able to have a lot of laughs and enjoy your experience exploring the tracks and trails along the banks of the river Nile.
Estimated excursion time: 2 hrs
Drive from Jinja to Sipi Falls.
Estimated journey time: 2 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge, waterfall cottage.
Day Four
Abseil into Paradise
Head out on a three-hour hike to explore the set of three waterfalls that make up Sipi Falls. These waterfalls are regarded as some of the most beautiful in Uganda as they tumble down the cliffs in the foothills of Mount Elgon, passing through lush green valleys. The meandering route offers stunning views over Lake Kyoga, Mount Elgon and the savannah plains of Karamoja. You will be accompanied by a local guide who will be able to explain the formation of the falls to you. They will also be able to identify the local birds, trees and plants along the way and describe the local traditions and way of life of the people living around Mount Elgon.
Estimated excursion time: 3 hrs
Spend some time relaxing at your intimate lodge nestled amongst beautifully maintained gardens on the slopes of Mount Elgon. This is the perfect place to relax and to take a stroll in the gardens with its multitude of bird species, with the Kapsurur Falls running through the lodge grounds. Relax at the lodge reading lounge, where there is a selection of reading material for you to enjoy and unwind by the fire in the evening. The friendly lodge staff are on hand to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. There’s even a full time coffee artisan on staff to make you the perfect cup of freshly brewed coffee! You’ll certainly feel at ease as you take some down time from the safari activities.
You’ll walk from your accommodation along to the top of the ridge above Sipi Falls to where you’ll begin your 100m/300ft abseil. Once you reach the ridge, your guide Rob will carry out a safety briefing and either he or a colleague will demonstrate the descent. Take a deep breath and look out across the savannah and marvel in what you’re about to achieve. You will abseil 10m to the right of the waterfalls which will start with a 30m rock face which you can walk down backward in your harness whilst talking to your guides above. At 70m you’ll kick off from the rock and start to spin slightly. The total ascent takes about 10 minutes. Look down and you’ll see lush green foliage and a circular rainbow that you’re about to pass through. It's at this point that you’ll be able to relax as your certified guides lower you to two colleagues at ground level where you’ll land in paradise.
Estimated excursion time: 2hrs
*duration dependent on the number of people abseiling
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge, waterfall cottage.
Day Five
Coffee Processing Tour
Meet a local guide who will accompany you on a coffee processing tour, along a network of trails leading through the lush farmland surrounding Sipi Falls. Sipi Arabica coffee has received worldwide recognition for quality and is widely produced in the region, creating an important source of income to local farmers. Your route also offers some fantastic views as you pass along hillsides and ridges, with commanding views up to Mount Elgon and across the savannah plains below. Along the way you'll pick, prepare and roast your own coffee beans; hopefully resulting in a tasty cup of coffee! As well as being an insightful visit to allow you to learn about the source of coffee production, it’s an excellent way to meet the local community to learn about their lives. The proceeds from this walk are donated to the local farmers to supplement their income, allowing them to further develop their production of Sipi Arabica in a more secure environment.
Estimated excursion time: 4 hrs
Drive from Sipi Falls to Moroto.
Estimated journey time: 4 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp, safari tent.
Day Six
The Wild East
Take to the colonial roads in and around the small town of Moroto with Mt. Moroto looming above you. You’ll meet your guides at the tourist centre who will brief you on the bikes and talk to you about the routes that are possible to take today. You can stick to the town, it’s outskirts or out to the surrounding plains. Your guides will be from and well acquainted with the area and along the way you’ll get to know them and their stories.
Estimated excursion time: 2 hrs
Experience a lifestyle that has been passed on for many generations by visiting a traditional manyatta homestead. This is a participatory excursion and not a sightseeing tour, which will see you being introduced to the beating heart of the community. The community that you will visit will be continuing with their daily life during your visit, which has remained relatively unchanged from that of their ancestors. On arrival you will be sure to receive a warm welcome and be invited to join in with the local daily domestic activities. This unforgettable experience will have you learning to prepare local meals, the songs and dance of traditional folklore, skills to craft traditional Karamojong beads, experience the ancient traditions of foreseers, listen to elders who will impart traditional stories and play traditional Karamojong games! By visiting this manyatta, you are supporting the community to preserve their unique and vibrant culture.
Estimated excursion time: 2 - 3 hrs
This evening you will gain a taste of the typical Karamojong pastoral life by spending time with former Karamojong warrior nomads and now passionate cattle herders. You will be camping for the night with all equipment provided in a local kraal, a traditional enclosure used by herders to protect their livestock overnight. In the late afternoon as the heat of the day is passing, you will join a group of herders from the Karamojong tribe and bring the cattle into the kraal for the night. Here you will have time to socialise with the herders, learn to identify the local greens, experience local traditions such as spearing a cow for blood to drink, eating roast with a communal meal, then listen to traditional stories and even get your own Karimojong name! All set around the crackling campfire and under a breathtaking starry sky.
Estimated excursion time: 10 hrs (overnight)
*Any group member can decide at any time not camp in the kraal and return to town for the night to sleep, this is included in your safari price as standard.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kraal Camp or Karamoja Safari Camp, safari tent.
Day Seven
Boda Boda in Karamoja
Take some time out to relax and unwind from your safari through Karamoja. The blend of traditional friendly hospitality with modern comforts lends Karamoja Backpackers as the ideal stop off point. Enjoy a cool drink from the bar and relax under a shaded tree or from the public verandah away from the heat of the day.
Truly explore off the beaten track and immerse yourself in the landscape of Karamoja on a two-wheeled adventure. Along with your local guide you will travel on peaceful rural roads by motorbike, following the routes known only to the locals. You’ll be making your way into the foothills of Mount Moroto, where you can take a walk along the hillside to the villages perched on the mountain slopes and explore a local market. This trip offers you a more personal experience as you’re removed from the confines of your car and you imbibe the sights, sounds and meet the local people of Karamoja.
Estimated excursion time: 4 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp, safari tent.
Day Eight
On the Road
Drive from Moroto to Kampala or Entebbe.
Estimated journey time: 10 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not included.
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