As seen on
Ghulam's Private Uganda Itinerary
Uganda
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Cultural
Transfers
Duration:
7 Nights
1 - 1
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Kidepo Community Visit
- Visit the remote IK Tribe
- Karamajong cultural tour
North East Uganda: A Cultural Journey
This unique journey through northern Uganda offers a deeply personal experience of one of Africa’s most untouched and soulful corners. Beginning in Entebbe and flying north to the remote savannahs of Kidepo, you’ll encounter not only spectacular wildlife but also meaningful moments with the Ik and Karamojong communities, whose traditions and resilience offer a rare and humbling insight into a way of life far removed from the everyday. Travel through vast and beautiful landscapes, from the mountainous highlands to golden plains, guided by those who know and love this land. With time to connect, reflect and embrace the richness of Uganda’s cultural and natural heritage, this is more than a holiday, it’s a journey of the heart.
Day 1: Arrival into Entebbe
Transfer
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Following your arrival into Entebbe airport, you will be met and transferred to your guesthouse. Please look out for your driver holding a YellowWood welcome sign. Check in is from 14:00 and you will meet with your guide for a welcome briefing. after lunch. The guesthouse is aware of your arrival time and will do their best to have the rooms ready early if possible, depending on occupancies from the previous night. To give you time to rest, acclimate, and allow for varied arrival times, your afternoon and evening are free. We're happy to recommend dining spots or places to explore.
Overnight: Karibu Guest House
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo
Flights
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
After breakfast, we shall depart Entebbe for Kidepo via a Domestic Flight time 08:00. On arrival in Kidepo you will be met and transferred to your hotel approximately 45 minute drive. In the afternoon you will be invited to join the game drive, exciting!
Overnight: Adere Safari Lodge
Flight Price for 1 Passenger NOT Included price is $666
*Please note this flight will only depart with a minimum of 3 passengers
Day 3: Kidepo Community Visit
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Today you will have the option to explore independently or with your guide to visit the local community in Kidepo. There will be an opportunity for a game drive during the day or in the evening or both should you wish to be included.
While visiting the people of Kidepo we strongly encourage you to immerse yourself in the culture while also being mindful of your presence as an outsider. Respecting their privacy and autonomy while you meet them on their terms.
Overnight: Adere Safari Lodge
Day 4: Visit the remote IK Tribe
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
"Visiting the Ik tribe of Adere (in northeastern Uganda, near the borders with Kenya and South Sudan) is a truly unique and eye-opening experience, but it’s not a typical tourist destination. The Ik are a small ethnic group who have often been portrayed as isolated and extremely self-reliant, especially after anthropologist Colin Turnbull's controversial 1972 book ""The Mountain People"".
The Ik live in the mountains of the Kaabong District, in and around the village of Kamion and the surrounding ridges. Getting there is difficult — you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle and a guide familiar with the region. The terrain is mountainous and the infrastructure is limited.
Visiting the Ik of Adere is not about ticking a box on a tourist map — it’s about immersing yourself in the resilience and humanity of a community often misunderstood. The experience can be humbling, challenging, and deeply rewarding if approached with curiosity and care.
Overnight: Adere Safari Lodge
Day 5: Drive to Moroto
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Today your transfer driver will drive you to Moroto via Land Rover.
Transfers: 270km approximately 5 hours driving.
Upon arrival your day is at leisure.
Overnight: Kara-Tunga Lodge
Day 6: Karamajong cultural tour
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Step into the heart of Karimojong life. Engage in everyday activities like preparing local dishes, sharing stories with elders, singing traditional songs, dancing, and even participating in warrior games. This is your chance to learn by doing, and living, the Karimojong way.
Join an experienced indigenous guide on a relaxed walk through the traditional manyattas (homesteads). Learn about Karimojong architecture, family structures, customs, and beliefs, all told through the eyes of those who live it.
Overnight: Kara-Tunga Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Kidepo
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Today you will be saying goodbye to the wonderful Kara-Tunga and heading back to Kidepo for your final night at Adere.
Transfers: 270km approximately 5 hours driving
Overnight: Adere Safari Lodge
Day 8: Departure Day
Flights
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Today you will say farewell to the beauty and the culture of Uganda. Your transfer driver will take you to the airport for your onward flight to connect to your international flight home.
Flight Price for 1 Passenger NOT Included price is $666
*Please note this flight will only depart with a minimum of 3 passengers
Travel safe and head home with heart full of memories.
Adventure Optional Extras
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International flights & airport taxes
- Domestic flight with Kampala Executive Aviation (KEA) from Entebbe - Kidepo/Kidepo- EBB
- Charter flight from Moroto to Entebbe Airport
- Visa ($50USD - applicable online)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Insurance
- Tips
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using local hotels, owned and run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra road travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, in modern buildings or in town centres. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which are exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion, the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, hot showers, or continuous power) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice. This trip involves a range of guesthouses, eco safari lodges and thatched roof riverside tents
Guiding
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced, local, English speaking Ugandan guide with a good knowledge of the areas visited, and the wildlife that might be encountered. They will be joined by wildlife guides and Ugandan Wildlife Authority tracking experts for the tracking adventure (Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys).
We work closely with our Ugandan Tour Operator partners both before and during your adventure to ensure that they understand your needs and the standard that YellowWood Adventures expects. We believe that it is a very important positive aspect of Responsible Tourism, to employ the expertise of local suppliers, as well as offering you a much more informative and authentic experience.
Am I fit enough?
To get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be in good physical health, and enjoy walking as a way of exploring an area.
Please note that you need to have an open mind to adventure travel, and experiencing different cultures to your own, first hand.
Health
For general information on health issues in Uganda, please see the general information on Uganda, however, for this specific adventure, the following points are worth separate consideration.
Yellow Fever
Under International Health Regulations (2005), a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from all travellers aged 1 year or over.
You must have your Yellow Fever Certificate before applying for your Uganda e-visa.
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk, but may also bite at night, especially in the jungle environment. Symptoms may be absent or mild, but can be much more severe.
For more information please see here: Yellow Fever - Uganda
Malaria
Malaria is a potentially serious parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In humans the disease is caused by five different species of the Plasmodium parasite. Malaria is widely distributed throughout tropical regions of the world including in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Oceania. Malaria is preventable and curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.
Choice of malaria prevention tablets depends on the malaria species common in the area to be visited and whether there is resistance to any of the available drugs. Certain drugs may not be suitable for certain individuals due to existing medical problems or interactions with their regular medication.
For more information please see here: Malaria - Uganda
Altitude
The highest altitude that you will be experiencing is at around 3669m which can be difficult for people coming from lower altitudes.
While we do our best to create an itinerary that allows for some time for acclimatising, altitude affects everyone differently, and to varying degrees. If you experience any of the following symptoms during this adventure, make sure to inform your guide and they will support you in descending to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
• Headache
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive shortness of breath
• Persistent rapid pulse
• Peripheral oedema (swelling of feet, hands or face)
Travel
Airport & Arrival and Departure Info
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Entebbe on the start day of the trip.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Travel by road in Uganda
In order to benefit from the natural and undisturbed beauty of the National Parks in Western Uganda, we need to be prepared to travel some distance, by road, to reach our destinations on this adventure. There are several days (Day 3, 6, 7 and 13) where you will be in private transport (minibus) travelling long distances. The roads are not always in great condition and the journey may be hot and dusty at times. However this is very much part of the adventure, and a wonderful opportunity to absorb the ambiance of East Africa, so we ask you to embrace the travel days, as without it, we would not be able to access the remote areas we then enjoy.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure. We also receive notifications direct from the FCO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
E Visa
A single entry visa is required to enter Uganda. Applications can be done online via the link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General Information on Uganda
For information on Uganda, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Gorilla Permits
To make sure you can go gorilla trekking during your adventure, there's an extra fee of $800 per person for the gorilla permit. This fee isn't included in the initial adventure cost and needs to be added on as an extra when you book. The permits are issued by the UWA on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it's essential to book your holiday well in advance to ensure we can secure a permit for you.
Your £1,500 deposit includes a downpayment of £650 or $800 for your adventure. This downpayment is set aside to buy your permit once your departure is confirmed.
Chimpanzee and monkey permits
The cost of your adventure is inclusive of the Chimpanzee and monkey permits which is $230 in total please note the Gorilla Permits are separate to this.
Reviews
Jeremy
Amazing Western Uganda Trip…
I really enjoyed my 14 days in Western Uganda trip. It had an excellent mix of wildlife, culture and geography. The mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and safari hikes and drives were amazing. It was a very good itinerary. Communication with YellowWood Adventures was quick and straight forward even though I was of a last minute addition from Canada. The trip information on their site was accurate and informative. The guide picked for this tour was excellent. He was knowledgeable, a good communicator and very well organized.
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Christine
Uganda Adventure
I have been to a lot of places around the world But this is the first time I have been on such an Adventure. This was so well thought out and balanced each day. Although I am older I managed to accomplish all the climbs. The guide team was the most organised, patient, and made sure I achieved my potential. The Ugandan people were so friendly and hospitable. Before the holiday I spoke to Sam McManus several times who answered the most trivial of questions very positively. So thank you for a most rewarding experience.
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Lisanne
Uganda Trip January 2024
The trip to Uganda was extremely well organised and thought out with a great variety of activities to cover a wide range of interests!! The on-the-ground team was very helpful and reliable and so was the organisation and assistance prior to the trip. I would absolutely recommend booking a trip with Yellowwood to Uganda!
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Nitish
Incredible adventure off the beaten path, with wildlife, landscapes and local communities
This is my third trip with YellowWood (previously Iran and Ethiopia) and I can't wait for the next one! A truly amazing adventure exploring Uganda - from the highlight of seeing chimps and gorillas, to interacting with local communities and staying in some gorgeous places, YellowWood again lived up to billing. It was a sensitively planned itinerary, with lots of time to see animals but also experience other things that Uganda has to offer e.g. hiking. YellowWood has a nack of picking incredible local guides and this made the experience even more engaging and memorable. Communication from the team throughout was great, and as always, appreciate Sam taking the time to call ahead of the trip, and Emma for her work on logistics.
Wildlife of Western Uganda Safari Jan 2024
Please take into consideration the time of year when you are travelling before making your final packing decisions.
Please bring a full first aid kit and any prescription medication with you. Consult your doctor regarding advice around inoculations and the prevention of disease contraction.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Passport & Insurance Documents
- Debit card (limited access to ATMs)
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Quality Insect repellent
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Fully charged power pack
Clothing
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in (consider need to nip out of tent for wee in the night!). Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather.
- Waterproof Jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Walking trousers for camping. Soft shell fabric is ideal.
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be sub zero at night. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
- Shorts for warmer days
- Flips, sandals or trainers for around camp
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
- Waterproof stuff sacks for small items
- Warm hat & gloves
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection. Light scarf useful for church visits
Optional
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort to camping
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- Power Adaptor - Type G
- Purification tablets as alternative to Aquapure Traveller Water Purification Bottle
- Money belt
- Ear plugs (in case sharing with a snorer!)
- Head torch & batteries / charger
- Universal sink plug (eg lifeventure, solotrek or muzitao brands)
- Telescopic walking poles: great for alleviating knee pain / preventing ITB issues etc. They can be as cheap as £15 & your guide can help you learn how to use them.
- Swimming Costume (small pool at Monarch Hotel may have water in!)
- Eucalyptus oil - we have it on good authority that this can deter fleas which are common in Uganda
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
CLICK HERE to schedule a call online with YellowWood Founder Sam McManus.
Or call us directly 24/7 on: