North-East Uganda is known for its rough terrain, and many of the best attractions are located off the beaten track. A 4×4 car is the perfect vehicle for navigating such diverse landscapes. With a rooftop tent vehicle, you are able to save on the accommodation fees which make it a true rewarding experience.
There is so much to experience on this exciting journey through Uganda, offering unforgettable experiences in the wild and allowing a whole new look at the culture of this unique country in East Africa. The east of Uganda has a lot to offer yet is still much undiscovered as most tourist routes lead through the west of the country. Take a city tour through Kampala and markets, visit the adventure capital Jinja and have the chance for an incredible 5 high-grade white water rafting. Hike the majestic Sipi Falls near Mbale, visit the small villages around and pick and roast Arabica coffee.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is located in northern Uganda and is home to the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gap in the rocks and drops 43 meters into the gorge below. The park is also home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and several species of primates. A 4×4 car is the best way to explore the park’s rugged terrain and reach the best viewpoints of the falls.
Murchison Falls National Park provides incredible rainforest and savannah landscapes and spotting of a number of diverse wildlife such as buffalos, antelopes, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and lions. On your way, take an end route to Ziwa rhinos for an opportunity to join a rhino trekking tour to spot these endangered magnificent creatures in the wild.
The Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area in the country where many activities can be enjoyed and the highest number of chimpanzees can be found at Rabongo Forest while trekking in Uganda. Another popular activity is a boat cruise to the base of the Murchison falls to view one of the world’s mightiest rivers, the Victoria Nile, and strongest waterfalls, located between Lake Albert and Lake Kyoga. You will be able to see a variety of African wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes and hippos while crossing the delta area.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Located in north eastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most remote and least visited national parks in the country. The park is known for its stunning landscapes, which include rolling savannah, rugged mountains, and lush river valleys. A 4×4 car is essential for exploring the park’s rough terrain and reaching some of the best wildlife viewing areas. With all this, rooftop tent is the best way to experience its stunning landscape.
Kidepo Valley National Park is in the wild frontier region of Uganda and one of the best wilderness areas in Africa. Here you will find some endangered species of wildlife while on safari. This national park derives its name from the seasonal Kidepo River that flows north into South Sudan. The best way to explore the river and the surrounding wilderness would be on a walking safari or a game drive to discover the beauty of Uganda. Kidepo has a savannah landscape and is surrounded by a few mountains one of which is Mount Morungole. This is a sacred place for the former ancestral home of the Ik people however it is also popular for extreme adrenalin adventures. The hike to Mount Morungole is an opportunity for photographers to take amazing pictures of the entire valley and the stunning land.
Find out on the Karamajongs and other great tribes. They are livestock farmers who hold their traditional and cultural beliefs in very high esteem. A visit to this area can be arranged and this is where travellers can share life experiences, learn about survival skills in the wilderness and explore the authentic lifestyle of an indigenous African community.
Enjoy the Nature Walk and cultural visits to the Karamajong Manyattas (homesteads) where you will be able to see kraals belonging to local communities, traditional costume, stools, spears headdress, knives, bows and arrows and jewelry among others. Visit the splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated by Borassus palm forest.
Tourists interested in birding should be rest assured while in Kidepo national park. Kidepo is home to approximately 475 different species of birds. Some of the birds you will find in the national park are Abyssinian Roller, Purple Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Red-billed Oxpeckers, African Hoopoe, Red-Cheeked Cordon Bleu, Ruppel’s Super Starlings, and Karamoja Apalis among many others. You can also find Clapperton’s Francolin here, which is the only place you will find this bird in Uganda.
The best places for bird watching are in Narus Valley and Namamukweny Valley in the northeast. Interestingly, in the local language, Namamukweny means “a place with no birds” yet it has some of the best birding opportunities in the park.
The Narus valley is one of the most famous gathering points for wildlife in Africa. The valley consists of rolling savannah grassland that area surrounded by mountainous landscape. The Narus River is found down at the valley. This river dries up during the hottest part of the year leaving small muddy ponds and the artificial Narus dam as the only sources of drinking water for the animals.
Mt Elgon in eastern Uganda is another exciting landscape not to be missed out. The highest peak of Africa’s eighth highest mountain is known as Wagagai Peak and lies in the Ugandan side of the mountain. The mountain is a catchment area for many rivers which supplies water to millions of people in the region.
You will be pleased with the panoramic view of the gorges, caves and waterfalls along the route and there is less risk of altitude sickness. Visitors who do not wish to go trekking can explore the foothills on excellent hikes. Explore the caves as well as Sipi Falls and if you are lucky you might be able to see black and white colobus monkeys and some rare bird species in the forest.
