6 Day Pian Upe and Kidepo Wildlife Safari in Uganda

A 6-day Pian Upe and Kidepo Wildlife Safari is designed for travellers who want a less crowded Uganda safari route through the country’s northeastern landscapes. This itinerary combines Sipi Falls, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Karamoja culture and Kidepo Valley National Park in one scenic journey. The safari starts from Kampala or Entebbe and travels east to Sipi Falls on the slopes of Mount Elgon before continuing into the open plains of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. From there, the route moves deeper into Karamoja and finishes with game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most remote and rewarding wildlife destinations. This safari is suitable for travellers looking beyond the usual gorilla and chimpanzee routes. It offers wide savannah landscapes, zebras, antelopes, ostriches, buffaloes, elephants, possible cheetah sightings, Karamoja community experiences and the Kanangorok hot springs near the South Sudan border.

Safari highlights

Best for travellers seeking remote wilderness
Route summary: Sipi Falls, Pian Upe, Kidepo, return to Entebbe
Signature experiences, big skies, rare plains wildlife, hot springs, culture
Sipi Falls hike on the Mount Elgon foothills
Pian Upe game drives, chance of cheetah, roan antelope, ostrich
Karamoja community visit for dance and storytelling
Kidepo game drives in Narus Valley
Kanangorok hot springs drive, rugged landscapes, and birdlife

Detailed itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Kampala or Entebbe to Sipi Falls

Your driver guide will pick you up from Kampala, Entebbe or your preferred location and begin the journey east towards Sipi Falls. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions and stops along the way. You travel through Jinja, Iganga, Mbale and onwards to Kapchorwa, with lunch arranged en route. Sipi Falls is located on the foothills of Mount Elgon, near Mount Elgon National Park and the Kenya border. The area is known for cool mountain air, farmland, cliffs and three waterfalls, with the highest waterfall dropping about 100 metres. Depending on your arrival time and fitness level, you may hike to two waterfalls or complete the full three-waterfall route. The trails can be steep and muddy in some sections, so good walking shoes are recommended. After the hike, transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury option Sipi River Lodge, Mid-range option: Sipi Valley Hotel, Budget option Lacam Lodge

Sipi Falls in eastern Uganda — Sipi falls

Day 2, Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, check out and begin the drive from Sipi Falls to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, with lunch arranged en route. The landscape becomes drier and more open as you move into the plains of northeastern Uganda. On arrival, continue for an afternoon or evening game drive, depending on time. Pian Upe is known for wide savannah, rocky outcrops and less crowded wildlife viewing. Your guide will look for ostriches, zebras, elands, hartebeests, oribis, buffaloes, hyenas and, with luck, cheetahs. After the game drive, continue to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Budget option Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas, Mid-range option Karamojong Overland Camp

Day 3, Pian Upe Game Drive and Karamoja Community Visit

After breakfast, set off for a morning game drive across Pian Upe’s savannah plains. This reserve offers a quieter wildlife experience compared with Uganda’s more visited national parks. Your guide will search for roan antelopes, elands, zebras, hartebeests, oribis, buffaloes, Uganda kob, Günther’s dik-dik, impalas and duikers. Predators such as cheetahs, hyenas and jackals may also be seen, although sightings are not guaranteed. Return for lunch and a short rest at camp. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Karamoja community. This experience introduces local homestead life, traditional dances, storytelling, livestock culture and the ways communities live within the dry northeastern landscape. Return to camp before nightfall for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4, Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park and Narus Valley Game Drive

After breakfast, check out and begin the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park in far northeastern Uganda. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on road conditions and stops. This is one of the most scenic sections of the safari, passing open plains, dry country landscapes, mountain views and rural settlements across the Karamoja region. On arrival, complete park entry formalities and continue to your lodge for check-in and lunch. In the late afternoon, go for a game drive in Narus Valley. This is one of Kidepo’s main wildlife areas because it holds water for much of the year, attracting elephants, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, giraffes and predators. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury options Apoka Safari Lodge or Adere Safari Lodge, Mid-range options: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Nga Moru Wilderness Camp, Budget option: Apoka Rest Camp

Day 5, Kidepo Game Drives and Kanangorok Hot Springs Visit

After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in Narus Valley, one of the best areas for wildlife viewing in Kidepo Valley National Park. Your guide will search for elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, lions and other wildlife. The open landscapes and mountain backdrop make this one of Uganda’s most scenic game drive areas. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, drive towards Kidepo Valley and visit Kanangorok hot springs, located near the border area. This route offers a different side of the park, with open plains, dry riverbeds and chances to see ostriches and other wildlife adapted to the drier landscape. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6, Return from Kidepo to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, check out and begin the long return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. The drive from Kidepo to Kampala or Entebbe takes about 10 to 12 hours, depending on road conditions, lunch stops and traffic. This is a full travel day, so an early start is important. Lunch is arranged en route. On arrival, your driver guide will drop you at your preferred hotel, residence or transfer you to Entebbe International Airport. For international departures, a late-night flight or next-day departure is recommended because the return drive from Kidepo is long and can be affected by road conditions.