10 Days Discover Karamoja Safari
10 Days Discover Karamoja Safari
10 Days Discover Karamoja Safari: Karamoja region is one of the best wildlife safaris in Uganda. It is a region that offers a diverse range of landscapes, wildlife, and has a rich culture. Karamoja region is located in the far Northeastern part of Uganda including districts of Kaabong, Kotido, and Moroto. To visit Kidepo national park and Pian Upe wildlife reserve which are actually the less visited national park in Uganda given its far location involves passing through the Karamoja land with stunning scenery and the Karamoja people. The Karamoja people are mainly pastoralists recognised by their traditional dress code that is similar to the Masai of Kenya and Tanzania. Karamoja region is about 1,000 meters above sea level and it is set on a large plateau with 4 mountains overlooking the region’s savannah highlands and River valleys, these mountains include; Mount Moroto in the East, Mount Morungole in the north, Mount Napak and Mount Kadam. So if you are active travellers and interested in hikes, the Karamoja region is the best place to go for adventure.
Karamoja region is blessed with 2 national park that is Kidepo national park and Pian Upe wildlife reserve which located in the south part of Karamoja region and home to numerous rare species such as the Roan Antilope, Topis, Gazelles, Heartbeest and Eland. While Kidepo valley national park is home to rich variety of animals with spectacular scenery. Kidepo national park is listed by CNN as third best Wildlife Safari park in Uganda. One of the most Unique attractions of the Karamonja region is Culture. They are believed to have migrated 1600 AD from Ethiopian highlands, and settled in the present day Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The Karamong people are divided in about 7 ethnic tribes including; the Jie, Bokora, Pian, Pokoth, Dodoth, Lebtur, and Matheniko who now live on the plains and mountains of the indigenous inhabitants, the IK and the Tepeth. The best time to visit Karamoja region is during the dry months of January, February, March and December. You can as well visit in the wet months of April to May but the path ways are usually difficult to use given bad road conditions. Initially Karamoja regions was known to be an insecure and unsafe region for example in 2011, the karamojong raided cattle from her neighbouring districts and killed many people with the guns they owned however, today the Uganda People Deference force disarmed the guns from the Karamojas and since then peace was restored. Today Karamoja is a safe place to visit. This 10 Days discover Karamoja region will take you through the most interesting experience you can ever enjoy in the region, from wildlife to culture and adventure.
Highlights of the 10 Days Discover Karamoja Safari
Day 1: Transfer to Moroto
Day 2: Life in a Karamojong village
Day 3: Visit the Warriors in the Kraal (Bush Camping)
Day 4: Visit traditional cattle market in Kotido (Only when tour departure on Sunday)
Day 5: Transfer to Pian Upe wildlife reserve
Day 6: Transfer to Kidepo Valley NP (Camping, Kidepo Savannah Lodge)
Day 7: Morning Game Drive in Narus Valley
Day 8: Game drive in Kidepo valley and hot springs
Day 9: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4hrs up, 2hrs down)
Day 10: Transfer to Kampala
Detailed itinerary of the 10 Days Discover Karamoja Safari
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Moroto
Depending on your location in Kampala, your will meet with our safari guide to transfer to the North eastern part of Uganda to Moroto district. It’s about 8-9 hours’ drive with en-route lunch. The drive to the north-eastern part of Uganda is quite interesting with alot scenery to see. Arrival in Moroto in the evening, connect to check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay Kara-Tunga Karamoja Safari Camp
Day 2: Experience the life in a Karamojong village
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide to enjoy and experience the Karamong culture by visiting one of the Karamojong communities. You will participate in traditional games, daily activities as preparing staples foods, harvesting, beading, learning, dance, traditional friendly wrestling and know how to shoot using a bow and arrow. These activities can be done for a whole day. Return for dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.
Day 3: Visit the Warriors in the Kraal
On this day, you will return to the 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 participate in bringing the cows to the Kraal, play games with the worries and tell stories and learn the monadic life of the Karamojong people. Late evening return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 4: Visit traditional cattle market in Kotido (Only when tour departure on Sunday)
On this day, after your breakfast, drive to Kotido district which is about 2 to 3 hour’ drive from Moroto. You will visit the traditional cattle market. This market is where people can to buy and sell cattle and it only takes place on a Wednesday. So plan your flights according to avoid missing out. Check-in your hotel in Kotido town for dinner and overnight stay at La Maison Hotel Kotido
Day 5: Full day game drive in Pian Upe wildlife reserve
After breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to Pian Upe wildlife reserve. It is about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kotido town. Upon arrival, register at the head offices before you proceed for a gamed rive in the park. Enjoy a whole day game drive and encounter the species such as the Roan Antilope, Topis, Gazelles, Heartbeest and Eland. Other animals include; the lions, leopards, these can be spotted on a lucky day. Dinner and overnight stay at stay at your own setup tent near the park headquarters or Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas for budget option or stay at Karamojong Overland Camp for mid-range option.
Day 6: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to Kidepo national park which is located in Kaabong district which is about 3-4 hours’ drive from Pian Upe wildlife reserve. Upon arrival, proceed to your booked lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Apoka Safari lodge
- Mid-range option: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
- Budget option: Apoka Rest Camp
Day 7: Morning and afternoon/evening game drive in Narus valley
Wake up early and connect for a morning game drive in Narus valley. As you enjoy your game drive, bush breakfast will be served and return for more adventure in the savannah plains of Kidepo national park on your morning game drive in Narus valley. This area is famous for finding the big 4 game 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, the giraffes to mention a few.
Return for lunch at the lodge and later afternoon; visit one of the communities around the park for a community tour, learning about the Karamojong culture and tradition. As you return to the park, enjoy another evening game drive for the missed animals. Before nightfall, drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 8: Game drive in Kidepo valley – Hot springs visit
After breakfast, connect for yet another game drive in the Kidepo valley. This area is further from Narus valley and it is where you will find the Ostrich birds and other animals. This area is closer to South Sudan border to Uganda. You will also visit the hot springs of Kanangorok before you return to your lodge. Spend the rest the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.
Day 9: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4hrs up, 2hrs 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 of Uganda called the IK. The IK people lived in nowdays 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. You will also enjoy the beautiful scenery, the higher the climb takes you, the more breath-taking the scenes in the valleys below and into the Eastern rift valley of Kenya and over to southern Sudan. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 10: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
Wake up for the delicious breakfast very early, check-out of the lodge and set off for Kampala with en-route lunch in Gulu or Masindi towns and other several stops where you will need to stretch and refresh. This is quite a long drive taking about 10-11 hours on road. You will be dropped at a location you will advise in Kampala/Entebbe.
End of the 10 Days Discover Karamoja Safari