KAMPALA BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Savanna Songs and the Thundering Nile: Six Days Between Kidepo’s Wilds and Murchison Falls
A six-day safari from Kampala that links remote Kidepo Valley and the Nile-carved drama of Murchison Falls — a practical guide to the itinerary, inclusions, and essential planning notes.
Savanna Songs and the Thundering Nile: Six Days Between Kidepo’s Wilds and Murchison Falls.
This six‑day wildlife adventure travels north from Kampala to two of Uganda’s most dramatic game parks: the remote, semi‑arid valleys and savanna plains of Kidepo Valley National Park and the wide plains and roaring cataract of Murchison Falls National Park. The route pairs long game drives and community contact with a Nile boat cruise and a short hike to the top of one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Kidepo’s Remote Savannah and Rare Wildlife
Tucked in Uganda’s far north‑east, Kidepo Valley National Park is a remote semi‑arid wilderness of valleys and savanna where cheetah, ostrich and large buffalo herds are among species highlighted on the itinerary; the park’s Narus Valley is a primary game‑viewing area.
Murchison Falls: Boat Cruise and the 7‑metre Squeeze
Murchison Falls National Park combines broad grasslands with a two‑hour Nile boat cruise to the base of the falls and a 45‑minute trail to the top, where the Nile forces itself through a 7‑metre cleft before exploding into the whirlpool below.
Ziwa Rhino Tracking and Karamajong Community Visit
The program begins with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Sanctuary and includes a cultural visit to a local Karamajong community in Kidepo, where traditional arts and a dance presentation are part of the afternoon program.
What the day feels like
What Six Days Feels Like
The trip is a sequence of drives and short walks: an early morning hotel pickup in Kampala, rhino trekking at Ziwa, long road transfers to Kidepo for afternoon and morning game drives and a community visit, then a transfer to Murchison for morning game drives, a mid‑afternoon Nile boat cruise and a hike to the top of the falls before returning to Kampala on day six.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and when to reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Rain jacket/coat; shoes with good traction or hiking boots; binoculars; travel plug adapter with USB port; antibacterial hand gel; camera with charged batteries and spare memory cards; small daypack; sunblock, hat and sunglasses; mosquito repellent; first aid kit.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where and when does the trip start?
The trip starts from Kampala City or Entebbe with hotel pick‑up at 07:00 on day one.
How long is the safari?
The itinerary is six days in duration.
What is included in the price?
Inclusions list: an experienced tour guide/driver, accommodation and lodging, meals as per the itinerary, airport transfers, park fees, bottled water, a 4WD safari vehicle, domestic flights, emergency evacuation by AMREF and public liability insurance.
What is not included?
Exclusions: travel insurance, visa and customs fees, tips or gratuities, international flights, personal expenses, cigarettes and alcohol, and souvenirs.
What are the payment and cancellation terms?
A 10% deposit is required to confirm the tour; the balance is due 45 days before departure. Cancellation refunds vary: with 45 days’ notice customers receive a full refund less the non‑refundable gorilla permit ($600); 30–44 days before departure refunds are 55%; less than 30 days there is no refund. A 10% deposit is non‑refundable.
Do I need a visa and vaccinations?
A visa can be obtained on arrival at Entebbe for a fee (noted as $50 per person in the operator notes); yellow fever vaccination is required for travel to Uganda and related countries—check CDC guidance or consult a physician.