If your idea of a vacation is adrenaline-pumping adventures in exotic locales, this 7 Day Eastern Uganda Adventure Tour is for you. Discover the beauty of the Eastern region of Uganda as you embark on exciting active adventure activities in scenic locations that include forest Ziplinning, quad biking, white-water rafting, and more. During this 7 Day Eastern Uganda Adventure Tour, you will also hike to stunning Sipi falls, tour coffee plantations, and go bungee jumping over the Nile River.
Highlights
- Go Ziplinning in Mabira Forest
- Whitewater rafting on the Nile River
- Bungee jump over the Nile River
- Quad biking along the Nile River
- Wanale Ridge hike
- Hike to waterfalls and tour coffee fields
- Optional rock abseiling at Sipi Falls
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, Optional Activities Entebbe
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja, Zipline & Sunset Boat Ride
Day 3: Full-Day Whitewater Rafting on the Nile
Day 4: Quad Biking & Bungee Jumping
Day 5: Hike Wanale Rike & Transfer to Kapchorwa: Optional sunset walk
Day 6: Sipi Falls Hike with optional Sipi Falls rock abseiling
Day 7: Coffee tour & Transfer to back to Entebbe/Kampala.
Details
Day 1: Arrive In Entebbe, Optional Activities
Welcome to Uganda! This beautiful East African country has many attractions. It boasts the Africa’s largest lake (Lake Victoria) and is home to highland ecosystems protecting many species of primates, including the rare mountain gorilla.
Uganda’s diverse landscapes offer plenty of opportunities for active adventure, which is what you will experience on this 7 Day Eastern Uganda Adventure Tour. You’ll arrive in Entebbe city, which is located in central Uganda, about 44 km southwest of the capital Kampala.
Entebbe is stunningly situated on the shores of Lake Victoria on the magical Entebbe peninsula The fresh air, relaxed pace of life and tropical sun will make you feel instantly at home in “the Pearl of Africa”. The small city used to be the governmental seat of power (the word Entebbe in the local Luganda language actually means a “seat”) before it transferred to Kampala. In fact, the president of Uganda still has his official office and residence in Entebbe.
Depending on your time of arrival there might be a chance for an optional excursion to one or more of the nearby attractions. These include the extensive National Botanical Gardens, the National Zoo and the Uganda Reptiles Village. You can also opt for a self-guided walking tour. Perhaps take a stroll along the lakeshore, go shopping at Victoria Mall, and sample the local cuisine. Try the tilapia, the tastiest fish in the country.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Hotel No. 5/ Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa/ Protea Hotel Entebbe
Midrange: The Boma Hotel Entebbe/2 Friends Beach Hotel
Budget: Airport Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer To Jinja, Zipline & Sunset Boat Ride
On day two of your 7 Day Eastern Uganda Adventure Tour, your tour driver guide shall pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe at exactly 6.30 am so that we avoid the morning traffic jam and be able to do all the day’s planned activities in time without rushing.
From there, you will embark on a 2 ½ hour drive east to the lakeside town of Jinja. During the journey, you will travel inland for a stop at the Mabira Forest. Covering some 300km2 this is the largest natural forest in Central Uganda.
Comprising this ecosystem are more than 300 tree species that are a habitat for butterflies, primates, mammals, and exotic birds like ibises and cormorants. Rather than a nature hike, though, you will be spending your time in the forest experiencing a fun Zipline adventure.
Upon arrival at the activities camp, you will receive a briefing and your safety equipment. Then you will soar over the rainforest canopy on a network of five ziplines that stretch 820 feet (250 meters) across the River Musamya. As you fly across the treetops, keep an eye out for forest-dwelling mammals like grey-cheeked mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys.
After the Zipline, you will continue your drive to Jinja. After checking into your hotel, go for a relaxing 2-hour boat cruise down this historic waterway that finishes at the source of the Nile – a place where world’s longest river exit Africa’s largest lake to commence an epic 6700 km journey to the Mediterranean. Afterward, take a guided tour around Jinja to learn about the history of this charming colonial town and visit local craft markets to pick up some souvenirs.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge/Jinja Nile Resort
Midrange: The Haven Eco River Lodge/2 Friends Guesthouse
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Full-Day Whitewater Rafting On The Nile
After breakfast today, your driver will pick you up for your full-day whitewater rafting adventure on the Nile River. It begins with a transfer by vehicle up the banks of the Nile to the headquarters of Adrift Uganda.
On arrival, you will receive a safety briefing and receive your life jacket and helmet. Then, along with your rafting guide, you will proceed to the put-in, where thrilling whitewater rapids await. After a briefing from your guide, you will head out on the river, following the Nile north for 13 miles (21 km). Along the way, you will pass over thrilling Class IV and V rapids.
This adventure is not for the faint of heart, but there is nothing to worry about throughout the ride, a rescue team on kayaks will be following your raft. Around 5 pm, you will reach the end of the route, where a delicious meal with beer and soft drinks awaits. Once you have eaten, you will transfer by vehicle back to Jinja.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge/Jinja Nile Resort
Midrange: The Haven Eco River Lodge/2 Friends Guesthouse
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Quad Biking & Bungee Jumping
After a good breakfast, you’ll go for more adventure activities on land and air. First up is a 2-hour off-road excursion on quads (4-wheeled motorbikes). The path you will follow will take you to remote areas outside of Jinja along the Nile. During this scenic ride, you’ll travel through rural villages, forests, and sugar cane plantations as you enjoy the stunning river scenery.
After the quad biking adventure, you will enjoy another thrilling river activity – this time over the Nile. Along with your tour guide, you will transfer to a bungee platform that rises 44 over the water and will strap into a harness.
You can choose to jump with the bungee tied to your ankles or around your waist. Whatever you decide, try not to look down before you make the leap. Once you do leave the platform, you will soar through the air in one of the most exciting adventure activities on the planet.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge/Jinja Nile Resort
Midrange: The Haven Eco River Lodge/2 Friends Guesthouse
Budget: 2 Friends Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Hike Wanale Rike & Transfer To Kapchorwa: Optional Sunset Walk
After a relaxed breakfast, you will depart Jinja and embark on a four-hour drive further east to the town of Kapchorwa, located near the border with Kenya. The scenic drive will take you past stunning areas. You will have a stopover in Mbale for 2-hour Wanale Ridge hike.
This hike will take you through local communities that live in the shadow of the Wanale Ridge, which towers over 1000m above Mbale city. You will follow a short slippery path across the fertile fields to the base of the beautiful Wanale Waterfall. You will also have an option to hike all the way to the top of Wanale Ridge, adding a couple of hours to the hike.
After the Wanale ridge hike, you will have lunch in the best restaurant in Mbale city before continuing to your lodge in Kapchorwa for relaxation and lunch.
In late afternoon, you can choose to take a leisurely guided sunset walk to a plateau, which is a special place. From this location you’ll have an amazing view of the Karamoja plains, the Mt Elgon slopes and the waterfalls. You’ll also have a chance to view the surroundings and the sun setting behind the horizon on days with clear visibility. This place is so romantic, that several marriage proposals have been made here.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Sipi River Lodge
Midrange: Lacam Lodge
Budget: Lacam Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Sipi Falls Hike With Optional Sipi Falls Rock Abseiling
After an early breakfast, meet the local site guide and set out to hike the Sipi Falls trail. The Sipi Falls consists of a set of waterfalls at different spots where the Sipi River flows over big cliffs towards the base of the Mountain Elgon. They measure 85 m, 65 m and 99m long.
The hiking trail stretches for around 7 km and features steep ascents and ladder climbs. It goes through local communities, tea plantations and farmlands. As you hike along you will be treated to panoramic views of green mountain slopes and the distant flat plains of Karamoja. You shall hike up to start with the topmost waterfall (85m), and then follow the trail down to visit the second waterfall (65m).
After these first two waterfalls, you shall break off for lunch at a nearby lodge and refresh a little. After that you shall descend to the last waterfall of 100m, which is also the main waterfall. It forms a big whirlpool, a natural swimming pool. Take in the misty atmosphere near-constant rainbows, and panoramic views.
Here, you can also opt for a take a thrilling rock abseiling adventure from the top of this 100-meter-high Falls. Equipment (rappels) is provided as well as highly-trained guides to take you through this exhilarating adventure. You will hung from a rope in the cool mist of the cascading falls right beside you, as you enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the valley below.
This exciting experience is not available anywhere else in Uganda except Sipi! You will return from Sipi Falls and travel back to the lode relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Sipi River Lodge
Midrange: Lacam Lodge
Budget: Lacam Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Coffee Tour & Transfer To Back To Entebbe/Kampala.
Beside the falls themselves, a highlight to visiting Sipi is a 3 tour that takes you through the intricate details of how coffee is produced at a nearby family farm. The Sipi Falls area is great for growing Arabica coffee. So, lace up your walking shoes again for another amazing hike.
Begin with a scenic walk through banana plantations and local homes, leading you to a traditional homestay where an authentic coffee experience awaits. You’ll be warmly welcomed by a local who will take you to explore coffee plantations and learn how the coffee plants are planted and grown.
You will pick the coffee berries, to deshell and grind them with a traditional mortar and pestle, and roast them on an open fire, before “the best part” finishing with a fine cup of strong Arabica coffee. Gain a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into your morning brew, and enjoy a local lunch. Then embark on a five-hour drive back to Kampala or to Entebbe for onward journey. Safe travels
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
End of the Tour
Inclusions
- Transport in 4WD tour vehicle
- English speaking guide
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the tour description
- Bottled water
- All activities included in the itinerary
Exclusions
- Optional activities
- Visa fees
- Air fairs
- Luxury drinks such as alcohol
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Laundry and other personal expenditures
