Tribes of Karamoja and Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 1: Entebbe – Kampala

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our representative will transfer you to the hotel in Kampala for the overnight.

Accommodation at Cassia Lodge or Villa Kilolo
Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: River Nile – Ssezibwa Falls – Mbale

Early morning leave Kampala to Jinja the capital town of the Basoga, where you find the legendary source of the Nile from Lake Victoria. Among other activities for the day: visit Busoga Kingdom palace in Bugembe and other historical sites. Stop over can be made at Ssezibwa Falls, where the legend narrates of the presence of the spirits of the traditional religion, including spirit of water (Mukasa), of hunting (Ddungu), of the rainbow (Musoke) and fertility. Lunch. In the evening arrive in Mbale for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Sipi River Lodge or Lacam Lodge
Full Board

Day 3: Mbale – Sipi Falls – Nyero – Soroti

Early morning you go for the trekking through the Sipi Falls from Mount Elgon. The vegetation is superb with banana and coffee plantations and view of the Karamoja valley. The Sipi river creates about four sets of incredible waterfalls as it descends down the valley. Lunch. In the afternoon visit Nyero Rock Paintings and shelter near Kumi, the most ancient site of rock painting in Uganda. Dinner and overnight in Soroti.

Accommodation at Soroti Hotel or similar
Full Board

Day 4: Soroti – Napak – Moroto

After breakfast drive through Katakwi to the region of the Upe and Bokora people (the Karimojong of South and Central Karamoja), where are found the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Bokora Wildlife Reserve as you enter Karamoja plateau. This is a semi-arid savannah with euphorbias and acacias, where still exists a small population of wildlife like ostriches, dik dik, hyenas and buffaloes. Stop overs will be made at the Tepeth communities at Mount Napak, one of the highest peaks of Karamoja, an extinct volcano area of archaeological sites. You will have packed lunch then proceed to Moroto, the capital town of Karamoja, on the foothills of Mount Moroto. The drive might take about 7 hours according to road conditions. In the evening visit the Karamoja Museum and the local market. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation at Hotel Leslona or Moroto Hotel
Full Board

Day 5: Karamoja (Tepeth – Matheniko tribes)

After breakfast, drive to the communities who inhabit the mountains surrounding Moroto, the Tepeth. These are the original inhabitants of Karamoja, who were raided by other Karimojong tribes and seek refuge on the slopes of the mountains, where are found their traditional manyattas. You will have a direct experience of the daily life in Karamoja and you will bring with you the appreciation gift for the community. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon visit the communities of the Matheniko of the plains. These are semi-nomadic people and cattle keepers, also known in the past for raiding the cattle of the neighboring tribes. Their lifestyle is slowly changing to residential farmers. Visit the typical homestead or “manyatta” to discover their style of life. The Matheniko also can perform their traditional dances or “edonja” dressed on their traditional clothes. In the evening back to Moroto for dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation at Hotel Leslona or Moroto Hotel
Full Board

Day 6: Moroto – (Jie tribe) – Kotido

After breakfast, leave Moroto to Kotido passing through the areas of herdsmen with their cattle. Near Kotido lies the Jie villages, a small Karamojong ethnic tribe. Very interesting are the traditional Jie dancers. The Jie are well recognized by the marks in their faces according to their culture. It is possible to take photographs of this unique experience. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Kotido Resort or Guest House
Full Board

Day 7: Kotido – (Dodoth – Ik tribes) – Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast drive to the lowland plains near Loyoro to encounter the Dodoth communities. Pastoralists in the tradition, the Dodoth will explain about the cattle keeping and tell about their history. After lunch, we will ascend the mountains near Morungole to see the remaining communities of the IK. The IK live on sorghum and millet production and bee culture. Their elders are known for reaching a very old age of even 100 years. In the evening proceed to the nearby Kidepo National Park, for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation at UWA Bandas (basic) Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp (comfort), Apoka Safari Lodge (deluxe)
Full Board

Day 8: Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast take a photographic game drive along the trails of the national park and explore the region of the Narus river valley. It is the most isolated national park in the country, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild region of Karamoja all agree that it is also the most magnificent. From Apoka, in the heart of the park, a savannah landscape extends far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges. Kidepo contains one of the most exciting faunas of any of the Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals, several of which are restricted only to Kidepo, such as cheetahs, striped hyenas and caracals. The bird list boasts over 465 species. A part from the game drive, a visit to the local Karimojong homestead or “manyattas” can be organized. A part from the game drive, on request, a visit to the local Karimojong homestead or “manyattas” can be organized.

Accommodation at UWA Bandas (basic) Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp (comfort), Apoka Safari Lodge (deluxe)
Full Board

Day 9: Kidepo – Gulu

Go for another game drive in Kidepo and proceed through the Acholiland to Gulu. Dinner and overnight in Gulu.

Accommodation at Bomah Hotel or similar
Full Board

Day 10: Gulu – Kampala

After breakfast you will return back to Kampala and transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home or for your next destination.