7 Days Karamonja Cultural Safari

7 Days Karamonja Cultural Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Kidepo National Park

Depending on your location in Kampala, you will meet our company representative, who will also be your safari guide during the Uganda safari. Early morning, after breakfast, embark on your long journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, located in the far north-eastern part of Uganda in the semi-arid area of the Karamojong region. It’s a 10- to 11-hour drive through the beautiful scenery of the northern region of Uganda, with en-route lunch in Gulu town. Upon arrival in Kidepo National Park late afternoon, proceed to check-in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at

Luxury option: Apoka Safari Lodge/Mid-range option: Kidepo Savannah Lodge/Budget option: Apoka Rest Camp

Day 2: Full day game drive—Narus Valley and Kidepo Valley

Wake up early and connect for a morning game drive in Narus Valley. During your morning game drive in Narus Valley, enjoy a bush breakfast before returning for more adventure in the savannah plains of Kidepo National Park. This area is famous for finding the big four, including the lions, elephants, leopards, and buffaloes. If you are lucky, you will spot the cheetahs and hyenas as well. Other animals to be found include the kobs, oribi, zebras, and giraffes, to mention a few. Return to the lodge for lunch.

Later afternoon, connect for yet another game drive in the Kidepo Valley. This area is further and it is where you will find the ostrich birds and other animals. This area is closer to the South Sudan border to Uganda. You will also visit the hot springs of Kanangorok before you return to your lodge. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 3: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4 hours up, 2 hours down)

After breakfast, drive to the starting point of Mount Morungole, located in the absolute northern hills of Karamoja. Here is where we find the smallest tribe in Uganda, called the IK. The IK people lived in today’s Kidepo National Park but were misplaced when the area was gazetted as a national park. The IK now live on Mount Morungole ridges as a community. Visiting the IK people gives visitors a rare insight into the unique tribe/culture in Africa. As you ascend higher, the breathtaking views of the valleys below, the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya, and even southern Sudan become more breathtaking. After the hike, drive to check-in at the Kaabong Resort hotel for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Visit the Dodoth community. Transfer to Kotido and visit the Jie community.

After breakfast, meet your guide and visit a Dodoth community. The Dodoth are the Karamojong group that settled in the Kaabong area; they have a unique culture that is interesting to experience. Thereafter, transfer to Kotido, which takes about 3-4 hours’ drive. Upon arrival in Kitodi, enjoy lunch, then connect to visit the Jie community in Kotida. They are also part of the Karamoja tribe and are renowned for their warrior lifestyle. Connect to your booked hotel for dinner and overnight stay at La Maison Hotel.

Day 5: Visit the traditional cattle market; transfer to Moroto (overnight in a Kraal).

After your breakfast, connect to visit the traditional cattle market. This market, where people buy and sell cattle, only occurs on Wednesdays. So plan your trip accordingly to enable you to visit the cattle market. You will also visit the largest nomadic group in Africa, which is located in the Kotido district. You will participate in traditional games and daily activities such as preparing staple foods, harvesting, beading, learning, dancing, traditional friendly wrestling, and knowing how to shoot using a bow and arrow.

Thereafter, transfer to Moroto. It’s about 3-4 hours’ drive with en-route lunch. Connect to a community and learn more about the Karamojong people, who are the real pastoralists. Experience the typical Karamoja pastoral life by visiting a kraal with their shepherds. You will engage in activities such as bringing the cows to the Kraal, playing games with the worries, telling stories, and learning about the monadic lifestyle of the Karamojong people. You will spend a night in a tent close to the kraal.

Day 6: Transfer to Sipi Falls

After breakfast, start your journey to the Kapchorwa district in eastern Uganda, home to the Sipi Falls. It’s a 5-6 hour’ drive with en route lunch upon arrival. Check in at your hotel to relax. Later afternoon, connect to Sipi Falls, located in the foothills of Mount Elgon, just at the edge of Mount Elgon National Park nearing the Kenya border. The falls consist of 3 waterfalls, with the highest falling at 100 m. Depending on your ability, you can hike 2 of the waterfalls or hike all 3 falls. Before nightfall, return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Sipi River Lodge

Day 7: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe

Get up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast, check out of the hotel, and depart for Kampala, stopping along the way for lunch in Jinja town and several other stops for rest and refreshment. This journey takes about 6-7 hours on the road. You will be dropped at a location you will advise in Kampala/Entebbe or connected to Entebbe airport for your onwards flight back home. End of the trip

7 Days Karamonja Cultural Safari includes: