Departures and Prices
2022
Price for traveling privately
Retail price per person:from 3450 €
Price for traveling in a group
Retail price per person:from 3350 €
Route trip
Ask us for the PDF with the complete information of the route
International flight to Entebbe
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, the city being located on the shores of Lake Victoria. You will be welcomed by our staff and transferred to the hotel.Accommodations at the Precious Guest House. (no meals)
Entebbe – Ziwa – Gulu
After breakfast we will head for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, in Nakitoma, a reservation located about 4 hours away, in the north of the country.The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was created with the aim of reintroducing the rhino into Uganda. It is currently the only place in Uganda where these creatures can be observed in their natural habitat.We will take a guided tour in search of the rhinos, after which we will continue our trip to Gulu (an approximately 4-hour journey). The guide who will accompany us will be an English-speaking local.Overnight stay at the African Roots Gulu Guest House. FB (Full Board)
Gulu – Kaabong
The city of Gulu is a very interesting one, in the territory of the Acholi (Nilotic) ethnic group. It stands out as a very clean and orderly city whose upright people run a series of small businesses. In Gulu we will do a little shopping for items that we will be giving to the tribes that we will visit in the north. We normally purchase soap and salt.* These amounts are not included in the priceWe will have a very early breakfast and leave for the town of Kaabong, via the city of Kitgum (approx. 6-7 hours on the road; 374 km) where we will spend the night. Then we will try our luck to see if we can come across the Turkana ethnic group, near the border with Kenya.*The local guide is English-speaking.Overnight at Hotel Local. FB (Full Board)
Kaabong – Kotido (Ik, Dodoth o Jie) – Kaabong
We will head for the mountains of Morungole, inhabited by the Ik ethnic group. The Ik are a mountain people related to their neighbors the Tepes (Uganda) and the Didinga (South Sudan). This ethnographic group, mainly farmers, settled in these mountains to elude conflicts with neighboring ones, especially the Karamajong. We will take a hike to explore some of their villages and understand their traditional lifeways.In the afternoon we will visit the towns of Kotido, in the territory of the Karamajong ethnic group .This ethnic group is divided into four main subgroups: the Dodoth, the Jie, the Martheniko and the Pian. They are mainly growers and livestock farmers, and maintain a very traditional lifestyle. Bracelets, scarification and necklaces are some of its signature traditions, still observed today. We will eat at a local restaurant in Kaabong, where we will return to spend the night.*The local guide is English-speaking.Overnight at Hotel Local.
Kaabong – Kidepo
In the morning we will return to the Kidepo NP, where we’ll go on a safari, taking advantage of our admission to the Park.The Kidepo National Park is located on the border with South Sudan and Kenya. As one of the most isolated parks in the country, it is surely one of the most pristine and interesting. The original territory of the Dodoth, it has been classed as a National Park since 1962. It is traversed by two rivers: the Kidepo and the Narus.More than 70 species of mammals and 400 birds, combined with an impressive savannah landscape, dotted with solitary acacias, make it one of the most biodiverse places in the entire country. At our camp we will rest and look back on our many experiences, chatting around the fire.Overnight stay at Savannah Lodge. FB (Full Board)
Kidepo NP – Murchison Falls
A long day on which to leave the Karamojong region behind. We will stop to eat in Gulu, the capital of the Acholi ethnic group, before continuing our journey to the Murchison Falls NP (approximately 6 hours; 350 km). We will enter the park through the Tangi Gate, one of the best areas for game drives.Accommodations at the Pakuba Safari Lodge. FB (Full Board)
Murchison Falls NP
After breakfast, in the early morning we will head for the Nile River, where we will cross by ferry to the north bank of the park for a safari if our accommodations are on the South Bank. If we are already staying on the North Bank it will not be necessary to take the ferry.Murchison Falls National Park is a veritable delight for the senses, a natural wonderland teeming with mammals and families of predators, as well as waterfowl of all kinds.The landscape is of extraordinary beauty and among the most significant species found in this area of its large herds of elephants and Rothschild’s giraffes stand out, along with a good number of lions, buffaloes, hartebeest, oribis, harnessed bushbuck (bosbok), spotted hyenas and leopards.In the early morning we will head towards the Nile River to reach the north bank of the park, where we will go on a safari. The landscape is of extraordinary beauty, and abounding in fauna.We will have lunch at the lodge and, in the afternoon, cruise up the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way we will be able to spot hippos, large crocodiles, and elephants, as well as a great number of avian species, such as Goliath herons, pelicans, European bee-eaters, kingfishers, great hornbills, cormorants, and, if we are lucky, the elusive and curious shoebill stork. We will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.The boat will stop just meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron”, where the Nile spills down from a height of 40 meters. If the river is running low enough, at this point we will leave the boat for a guided hike lasting about one hour up to the top of Murchison Falls. If it is not possible to go up on foot, because the Nile is running too high, we will visit the upper part of the waterfall by car the next day.We will be able to observe close up the spectacular beauty of one of the most powerful bodies of water on earth. If we are unable to make the ascent on foot, our vehicle will be waiting for us at this point to take us back to the lodge (about 25 minutes).Accommodations at the Pakuba Safari Lodge. FB (Full Board)
Murchison Falls NP – Hoima
After breakfast we will enjoy our last moments at Murchison Falls, and visit the upper part of the cascade before continuing our adventure towards Hoima (about 3-4 hours en route; 140 km approx.)Hoima is a very pleasant city that has grown a lot in recent years. It is part of the kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara (Bunyoro), and lies about 30 km from the shores of Lake Albert. Our main activity here will be a visit to the small fishing village of Kibiro on the shores of Lake Albert.Our visit to Kibiro will be dedicated to activities with the local people in order to explore their way of life; we will be able to see how they extract salt by filtering the soil, and visit the local hot springs produced by this volcanic area. We will eat lunch in this fishing community where we will have the opportunity to enjoy, of course, fresh fish from Lake Albert. We will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.After visiting Kibiro we will return to Hoima, where we will be staying.Accommodations at the Hoima Cultural Lodges. FB (Full Board)
Hoima – Kibale NP
After breakfast we will head for the Kibale National Park (about 4 hours en route; approx. 200 km).Upon arrival in Kibale we will head to the Kibale Forest National Park Visitor Center for an orientation session before commencing our chimpanzee trek. This park is known for harboring one of the largest populations of primates on the planet, with up to 13 different species. More than 1,400 chimpanzees reside in this forest, the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. The forest is also home to other types of primates.Accommodations at the Isunga Lodge. FB (Full Board)
Kibale NP – Queen Elizabeth NP
In the morning after breakfast we will visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, which contains 8 different species of primates, including the black and white colobus, red colobus, mangabey, red-tailed monkey, vervet, and L’Hoest’s monkey; a large number of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, including the great blue turaco; countless reptiles, and a wide variety of trees and shrubs. The local guide is English-speaking.After our visit to Bigodi, we’ll continue our journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way we will stop to visit the Ndali Kasenda Crater area, which arose during an era of volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley, its landscape dotted with lakes of turquoise waters.Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the country, and its ecosystems (including savannahs and rainforests) and diverse fauna are part of the reason why. Visitors also have numerous opportunities to interact with the people of the local communities. Once in the park we will visit the Katwe area, which is located in the Kasese district, at the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a saltwater lake of volcanic origin from which the local community continues to extract salt in a traditional way. Both men and women work to extract the salt, an extremely grueling task requiring them to spend hours in the salt-rich water, which affects the workers’ skin. Two main products are extracted from the lake, which we will be able to observe on our visit: blocks of salt, which are stacked and sold for food; and a mixture of salt loam that is used for livestock, drawn from the lake’s muddy bottom.In the afternoon will go on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. The Kazinga is a wide, 32-kilometre-long natural body of water connecting Lake George and Lake Edward, which, in turn, form the natural border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The cruise on the Kazinga will be one of the most thrilling experiences of our safari. Here we will be able to see hippos, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and a whole range of waterfowl.Accommodations at the Buffalo Safari Lodge. FB (Full Board)
Essential information of the country
The best time to travel to Uganda
Uganda’s equatorial climate is very temperate due to its high median elevation, with contrasting exceptions on the plains, in the dry north, the hot region, and the cold peaks of Rwenzori, at the other extreme. The rainy season runs from, roughly, mid-September to November and from March to May, although patterns vary by region. July to September and December to February are the months with the least rainfall, making them better choices for safaris and camping. Highs range from 20 to 27 degrees, and lows from between 15 and 18 in much of the country.
Health – Vaccines
The official yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into Uganda, and vaccination against typhoid, hepatitis A and B, tetanus-diphtheria, polio and, to a lesser extent, cholera, is recommended (but not mandatory). Taking measures to prevent malaria is highly advisable (at the vaccination centers treatment is prescribed depending on the area and the time of the trip), including important steps to avoid mosquito bites, since the Anopheles genus is that which transmits the disease: mosquito nets, repellents (containing DEET) and light clothing that covers the body, especially in the early hours of the day and at night, which is when the insects are most active. Likewise, you should avoid drinking unbottled water or liquids (as their origins are uncertain), raw vegetables, or undercooked foods (meats, for example). For more information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.exterior.gob.es/portal/es/serviciosalciudadano/siviajasalextranjero/paginas/inicio.aspx
Ministry of Health: https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm
Official vaccination centers: https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/sanidadExterior/salud/centrosvacu.htm
Visas
Costing $50, Spanish citizens must enter with a visa that the Ugandan authorities process online prior to arrival in Entebbe: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/. Note that it has recently been impossible to obtain the visa upon arrival paying in cash (dollars). They may add a 3% commission for the online transaction. It is also helpful to know that there is a visa for East Africa that, for $100 USD, allows visitors entry into three countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya (it is issued by the country to which you arrive on the international flight, but is valid to visit all three).
Currency
The currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). The approximate value of the currency in Euros can be viewed at https://www.xe.com/es, and may fluctuate depending on market variations and the location (bank or exchange agency) where one exchanges money. As a rule of thumb, 1 Euro is normally equivalent to about 4,400 UGX. Thus, 10,000 UGX is about €2.20, and 100,000 UGX is about €22.
Language
Uganda is an English-speaking country and almost everyone speaks, or at least gets by, in English. Among the more than 30 native languages, the main one, and that most spoken in the area of Entebbe and Kampala, is Luganda. Even so, upon arriving at Fort Portal we will hear much more Tooro than Luganda; and in the Kabale area, Kiga, or Rushiga, for example. Swahili is also quite widespread. The language of millions of East African speakers, it is used as a lingua franca in the Great Lakes region due to its proximity to Kenya and Tanzania, where it is a national language and typical of its Indian coast.
Electricity
To plug in appliances you will need a three-pin adapter, as in the UK. The voltage is 220V – 240V, as in Spain. The adapter must have multiple slots if you plan to charge more than one device at a time. Link of interest: https://www.enchufesdelmundo.com/uganda/
Included
- Transfers from/to the airport, as per the itinerary.
- Double room on a full-board basis, except the meals in Entebbe, which are not included.
- Depending on circumstances along the route, we may have pack lunches.
- Accommodations in standard-category rooms, as per the itinerary.
- Transport in a 4X4 Land Cruiser, English-speaking guide/driver, or Spanish-speaking guide/driver with English-speaking interpreter (except during chimpanzee and gorilla trek, and/or on those tours where the guides are English-speaking locals).
- Entrance fees to parks and activities, as per the itinerary.
- Mineral water en route (not at the lodges)
- Local English-speaking guides.
- Boats and ferries indicated on the itinerary.
- Safaris, hikes and tours, as per the itinerary.
- 1 night in Gulu
- Entrance to Kidepo.
- Visits to ethnic groups.
- 2 safaris in Kidepo.
- Admission to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- A guided hike in Ziwa.
- 1 noche en Hoima.
- Visits in Hoima, Kibiro Village.
- 1 night in Hoima.
- Entrance to Murchison Falls NP.
- 1 safari on the north bank of the Nile River.
- 1 safari cruise to the falls.
- Entrada en el PN Queen Elisabeth – 2 noches.
- 1 hike to the top of the Falls.
- Admission to the Kibale Forest NP.
- Admission into the Queen Elizabeth NP.
- Kyambura chimpanzee trek.
- Visit to the Katwe Salt Works.
- 1 Kazinga Channel safari cruise
- Entrance to the Ishasha NP.
- 1 safari in the Ishasha sector.
- Admission to the Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park.
- 1 night at Lake Bunyonyi.
Not included
- International flights.
- Beverages (soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits…)
- Visa for Uganda: the simple entry visa costs $50/ person, and is necessary for the citizens of all countries that, in turn, require Ugandan citizens to acquire visas to enter them (reciprocity principle). The visa must be obtained online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/. It usually takes from a few hours to several days.
- Medical and/or travel insurance.
- Tips, and telephone and personal expenses.
- 1 permit/fee for the chimpanzee trek (indicated separately from ground services).
- 1 permit/fee for the gorilla trek (indicated separately from the amount for land services)
- No meals in Entebbe (except breakfast).
- Any other items not expressly specified as included.
Route photo gallery
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Nuestro equipo en Uganda
Equipo de guías Rift Valley en Uganda
Opiniones de viajeros
369 viajeros han realizado esta ruta con Rift Valley
Sandra
u003cemu003eOur trip to Uganda has been a great experience! From the first moment you have been very attentive to us, answering all our questions, adapting to our requests and managing everything super fast.u003c/emu003eu003cbru003eu003cemu003e u003c/emu003eu003cbru003eu003cemu003eThe driver/guide we had was Andreu, he treated us like kings, helping us in everything, explaining the peculiarities of the animals and was helpful with anything we needed.u003c/emu003eu003cbru003eu003cemu003eThe destination is spectacular, with incredible landscapes and unique animals. The experience with the chimpanzees was great, but the habituation with the gorillas was really amazing! Not to mention the shoebill.u003c/emu003e
Anna
Mi experiencia con Rift Valley ha sido espectacular. Son muy profesionales, ademas de amables y muy conocedores de Africa. Si quereis viajar y sobre todo a Africa no dudeis en contactar con ellos. He vuelto hace unos dias de Uganda y ha sido maravilloso. Nos han cuidado y acompañado en todo momento. El conductor muy profesional y el traductor, Fred, un encanto de persona. Yo repetiré con ellos mi próximo viaje a Africa. Si tengo que puntuar del 1 al 10, pongo 20!
Esther Gajón Bazan
Hemos hecho un viaje familiar por Uganda y ha sido genial, ha superado todas las espectativas. Uganda es un país increíble, y sin Braydon y Ben no hubiera sido lo mismo. Nos hemos sentido siempre en cercanía con ellos, seguros, acompañados, nos hemos divertido con ellos y nos han transmitido su amor a su país. Igualmente Rafa en la zona del norte. La organización impecable, resolviendo bien cualquier contratiempo y con actitud siempre de que el viaje resultara inolvidable.u003cbru003eMuchas gracias Pep por todo, todos sentimos que hemos dejado allí una pequeña familia.
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