15 Days Across The Pearl

ACROSS THE PEARL – CULTURAL CROSSROADS & SAFARI TRAILS

Tour Detail

(Kampala → Jinja → Eastern Highlands → Kidepo Valley → Western Safari Circuit) This 15-day journey takes you through Uganda’s cultural and ecological diversity. Starting in the capital Kampala, you head east to the adventure and heritage hub of Jinja, ascend into the lush Eastern Highlands, journey north to the dramatic wilderness of Kidepo Valley, and sweep westward into Uganda’s famed safari parks—Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Expect encounters with diverse ethnic communities, breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultures. Itinerary Highlight

• Cultural dances and heritage sites (Kampala, Jinja, Karamoja)
• Adventure sports on the Nile
• Mountain and waterfall hikes
• Remote cultural tourism (Ik, Karimojong)
• Big Five safaris (Kidepo, Murchison, Queen Elizabeth)
• Primate tracking (chimpanzees in Kibale)
• Birding, crater lakes, and scenic drive

Price Includes

• All ground transfers
• Professional guide
• Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
• Park entrance fees
• Permission sites as per the itinerary
• Game drives
• Boat ride
• Top of the falls hike
• Source of the Nile visit
• Adventure activities on the Nile
• Bottled water
• Government taxes

What is not included

• Personal expenses of any nature
• Extra activity not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratitude to individuals
• Travel insurance
• Visa processing

Cost of Safari per person in $ (USD)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kampala

(Travel time ;1 hour depending on the road traffic, road distance 48 km) Experience:

• Warm welcome and check-in at a boutique hotel
• Evening cultural dance & dinner with traditional Ugandan cuisine and drumming
• Overnight: Kampala accommodation (optional, Budget, Midrange or Luxury)

Meal plan HB

Day 2: Cultural Kampala

Experience:

• Visit National theatre, Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs (Buganda heritage) &Lubiri (Royal Palace)
• Explore Owino Market, craft centers and Ndere Cultural Centre for dance performances
• Overnight: Kampala same as Day 1

Meal Plan FB.

Day 3: Kampala → Jinja – Source of the Nile

Travel Time: 2 hours depending on the road traffic (80 km) Experience:

• Explore the Source of the Nile by boat, possibly step where john speak the first white man to see the Nile stood
• Visit the Speke Monument and Mahatma Gandhi statue
• Sunset at the Nile with optional water tubbing while sipping a Nile special beer briefing
• Overnight: Jinja (accommodation options: Budget, Midrange or Luxury)

Meal Plan HB

Day 4: Jinja Adventures & Community Visit

Experience:

• White-water rafting / tubing/Bungee jumping / quad biking / horseback riding
• Afternoon community cultural tour (Basoga dance and storytelling)
• Overnight: Jinja same as day 3

Meal plan FB

Day 5: Jinja → Sipi Falls (Eastern Highlands)

Travel Time: 4 hours (200 km) road distance

Experience:

• Embark on a scenic drive through Mbale town with Gisu (Bagisu) cultural lunch
• Go on a guided hike to the Sipi Falls (3 waterfalls circuit)
• Overnight: near Sipi (accommodation options limited to Budget and Midrange)

Meal options HB

Day 6: Sipi – Cultural Immersion & Coffee Tour

Experience:

• Coffee farm tour: Bean-to-cup experience with a local farmer
• Traditional Bagisu circumcision ritual (if in season)
• Sunset hike to “The Wall of Death” viewpoint
• Overnight: Sipi same as Day 5

Meal plan FB

Day 7: Sipi → Moroto – Into Karamoja

Travel Time: 5–6 hours (270 km, off-road stretch) Experience:

• Transition into semi-arid Karamoja region
• Visit Tepeth community and Karamoja Museum
• Overnight: Karatunga Safari Camp (cultural safari camp) accommodation options limited to Budget

Meal plan HB

Day 8: Karimojong Cultural Day

Experience:

• Visit a traditional Manyatta village
• Engage in herding, bead-making, and local dance
• Optional evening storytelling by the campfire
• Overnight: Moroto (accommodation limited to Budget)

Meal plan HB

Day 9: Moroto → Kidepo Valley National Park

Travel Time: 5–6 hours (220 km road distance) Experience:

• Scenic drive into Uganda’s most remote national park
• Sunset game drive: buffalo herds, giraffes, ostriches
• Overnight: Kidepo valley NP (accommodation options Budget midrange or Luxury)

Meal plan HB

Day 10: Full-Day Safari in Kidepo

Experience:

• Morning and evening game drives in Narus Valley
• Visit Ik tribe in the Morungole Mountains (optional, full-day hike)
• Exceptional sightings of lions, elephants, cheetahs
• Overnight: Kidepo (same as Day 9)

Day 11: Kidepo → Murchison Falls National Park

Travel Time: 8–9 hours (450 km road distance) Experience:

• Long scenic transfer with picnic stops
• Evening rest at the lodge by the Nile River
• Overnight: Murchison Falls (accommodation options Budget, Midrange or Luxury)

Meal plan HB

Day 12: Murchison Safari & Falls Cruise

Experience:

• Morning game drive in the northern delta (lions, giraffes, hartebeest)
• Afternoon boat cruise to the base of the Murchison falls
• Hike to the top of the falls
• Overnight: Murchison Falls (same as Day 11)

Meal Plan FB

Day 13: Murchison → Kibale Forest (via Fort Portal)

Travel Time: 5-6 hours (approx. 252 km via Hoima & Fort Portal)

• Transfer through the Albertine Rift Valley with scenic views and tea plantations.
• Optional cultural stop in Fort Portal or crater lakes viewpoint.

Expected Experience:

• A picturesque drive into Uganda’s lush western highlands.
• Accommodation: Kibale (accommodation options, Budget, Midrange or Luxury)

Meal plan HB

Day 14: Kibale → Queen Elizabeth NP

Travel Time: 2 hours (78 km road distance)

• Leisurely transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.
• Evening game drive in the Kasenyi sector.

Expected Experience:

• Wide savannas, crater lakes, and large mammals like elephants and buffaloes.
• Accommodation: in Queen Elizabeth NP(accompt options : Budget, Midrange or Luxury)

Day 15: Ishasha Game Drive → Return to Kampala / Entebbe

Travel Time: 8–9 hours (470 km road distance) Experience:

• Morning game drive in Ishasha to spot tree-climbing lions
• Scenic drive back with stops at the Equator
• Transfer to Entebbe for evening flight / hotel drop-off

End of safari