Trip highlights: 10 Days Kidepo and Mount Elgon Hiking itinerary will take place in Uganda; arriving and departing via Entebbe International Airport. You will visit the rarely visited park in the country yet one of Africa’s finest Wilderness Kidepo National Park where you will have game drives and a nature walk in the Narus Valley to the hot springs and also visit community of the Karamajong people. You will drive to Mbale town and start hiking Mount Elgon the next day, together with porters and a cook you will hike till its peak Wagagai at the top of the Caldera.
Kidepo and Mount Elgon Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
After arriving Entebbe International Airport, you will clear with immigration, proceed to the arrivals where you will meet your driver guide who will transfer you to your hotel for overnight stay.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (high-end), The Boma Guest House (medium) or 2 Friends Entebbe (budget). Meal Plan: B
Day 2: Entebbe – Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, you will start your full day drive to Kidepo Valley National Park via Gulu having picnic lunch en-route. The beautiful Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the rugged semi-arid valleys between Uganda borders with Kenya and Sudan. It is the rarely visited park, yet it’s one Africa’s finest Wildernesses. This park has the highest population of game over 77 mammals and about 500 bird species. Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (high-end), Kidepo Savannah Lodge (medium) or UWA Bandas (budget). Meal Plan: B, L & D
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Nature Walk
After an early breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive during which you might have an opportunity to see the inhabitants for this park like; Zebras, Elephants, Giraffes, Duikers, Jackson’s hartebeest, Lions among others as they leave their hives to go hunting. The game drive will lead you to the Narus Valley where you will have a nature walk to the Hot springs.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (high-end), Kidepo Savannah Lodge (medium) or UWA Bandas (budget). Meal Plan: B, L & D
Day 4: Game Drive and Cultural Tour
You will enjoy another game drive on this day too. After lunch you will go for a cultural tour and visit the Karamojong community where you will have an insight into their way of life.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (high-end), Kidepo Savannah Lodge (medium) or UWA Bandas (budget). Meal Plan: B,L & D
Day 5: Kidepo – Mbale – MBALE
After breakfast, start your drive to Mbale town. Accommodation: Mbale Resort Hotel (Highend and Medium Accommodation) or Wash and Wills (Budget Accommodation)
Day 6: Mount Elgon Hike Piswa Camp
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kapkwata (2,190 metres) where you will start your hike following the Kapkwata trail. A scenic route through the heath, bamboo and moorland through to the Piswa camp (2850 metres).
Accommodation: Piswa Hut Campsite
Day 7: Hunters Cave Camp
Hike up to the rim of the Caldera through beautiful various plants like the giant Lobelia Elgonesis. You will visit the hot springs and Suam Gorge before you start to descend to Hunters Cave Camp (3850 metres)
Accommodation: Hunters Cave Camp
Day 8: Mude Cave Camp
After breakfast, you will ascend to the top of the Caldera Wagagai peak (4321 metres). You will then descend through the Jackson’s summit (4200 metres) and the Jackson’s pool to get to Mude Cave Camp (3500 metres).
Accommodation: Mude Cave Camp
Day 9: Mount Elgon – Kampala
After an early breakfast, you will start descending down the Mountain through the Sasa trail to Budadiri where you will be picked up and transferred back to Mbale town where you will enjoy a warm lunch and thereafter start your journey back to Entebbe.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (high-end), The Boma Guest House (medium) or 2 Friends Entebbe (budget). Meal Plan: B & L
Day 10: Departure
Drive to Entebbe International Airport to catch your departure flight. Meal Plan: B & L
Kidepo and Mount Elgon Hiking Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Return airport transfers
- 9 nights’ accommodation with meals as indicated in the itinerary above
- Activities shown in the itinerary
- Park fees
- Mountain hiking fees
- While on the Mountain; you will be given a wooden walking stick, food, guides, 3 porters per person, chef, gas cooker and rescue if any
- Services of an experienced English speaking guide
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Government taxes
Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Optional activities
- Tips
- Drinks
- Items of personal nature
