ECHOES OF ACHOLI
7days /6 nights
Get ready for our most unique itinerary yet. A 7-day, 6-night adventure that takes you far off the beaten path and deep into the heart of Acholi culture and land. Nestled between mighty national parks and timeless plains, this region offers more than just natural beauty,it offers a sense of belonging where you’ll explore ancient war trails, immerse yourself in traditional Acholi homestays, and uncover the powerful stories of resilient people whose culture continues to thrive. Here, you’ll not only witness culture but also live it.
Lukodi Trails Of Courage
We will initiate the day with breakfast and an early morning drive to the quiet but powerful village of Lukodi which lies less than 20KMs from Gulu., a community that once stood at the epicenter of over a two decades long LRA war. What may look like an ordinary rural village is layered with stories of strength, sorrow, and stunning resilience. We'll walk with you along the Lukodi War Trail. As you follow the path taken by the LRA during the tragic 2004 Lukodi massacre, you’ll stop at significant landmarks, the Lukodi Memorial Center and Massacre site. Lunch will be waiting for you after the trail before the tone shifts from remembrance to creativity. You'll explore your artistic side with our calabash experience. Using traditional dried gourds, you’ll design and paint your own calabash, each brushstroke becoming a tribute to Acholi craftsmanship and cultural expression. This hands-on activity is not only fun, but also deeply rooted in heritage, offering you a meaningful connection to local artistry. By the end, you’ll leave with more than just a painted piece, you’ll carry home a vibrant souvenir, a colorful memory of your time in Lukodi and later retire for Dinner and an overnight stay.
Hands of Lukodi
Wake up to the sounds of morning birds and enjoy a fresh local breakfast.The day unfolds naturally from there. Join locals in the garden to try traditional farming tools and learn farming techniques passed down through generations. Discover natural seed storage methods using calabashes, an age-old practice that protects future harvests.Later, walk with local women as they collect firewood, a vital daily task, primarily undertaken by women and young girls. Back at the homestead, help prepare a traditional Acholi meal over a three-stone fireplace. There's something grounding about cooking together.After lunch, experience the heartbeat of Acholi culture through drum making. Drums, rich in cultural and spiritual meaning, are crafted with care. Work alongside skilled artisans to stretch and pin animal hide over hollowed logs.End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at camp
Patiko Living
After breakfast, we will begin a scenic drive to Patiko, a place rich in history and culture.Here, you will experience life in an Acholi rural homestead, in homes locally called "Gaang", where daily life is centered around community, tradition, and heritage.Your day will start with a traditional culinary experience, passed down through generations. You’ll learn about indigenous food preservation methods and ingredients, then head to the garden to harvest fresh vegetables straight from the soil. After harvesting, you’ll help prepare a traditional Acholi dish, which you will later enjoy for lunch.In the afternoon, dive into a guided village walk through Patiko. As you stroll through the community, you’ll be welcomed with warm smiles and open hearts, engaging with locals eager to share their stories and way of life. You’ll explore traditional Acholi homesteads, circular, grass-thatched huts with high-peaked roofs while learning about their architectural significance, village history, and daily customs. It’s a rich, immersive experience that offers meaningful connections and unforgettable insights into the way of living of the Acholi people. After a fulfilling day, you will gather around the village fireplace (Wang Oo) for a warm dinner filled with folklore, poetry, and storytelling from village elders.Later, you will settle in for the night with an overnight stay in a traditional grass-thatched hut.
Hiking Ajulu
After breakfast, we set off for Patalira, a village known for its rich artistic traditions. Here, the day begins with hands-on experiences in two timeless crafts: pottery and basket weaving.You will be guided through the process of molding clay into beautiful, functional pots. As your hands shape the earth, you’ll hear stories of how pottery has served generations for cooking, storing water, and ceremonial purposes.You may even get to create a small piece to take home as a reminder of your time here.After the morning of creating with your hands, you’ll enjoy a warm, traditional Acholi lunch, served in the homestead.With your belly full and your spirit enriched, the afternoon will lead you on a scenic hike to Ajulu Hill. This gentle climb rewards you with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, dotted with Patiko villages, fields, and rolling greenery. Along the way, your guide will share the stories and legends of Ajulu, its significance in local history, and the wisdom it holds in Acholi memory.At the summit, take time to rest, reflect, and soak in the beauty as you watch the sun go to sleep over patiko. It's a peaceful moment.Dinner and overnight stay at the grass thatched hut.
Lagoro ’ s Rich Flavors
We will start the day very early after a refreshing breakfast with about 104 KM road drive to Lagoro, Kitgum for a shea butter experience, the shea tree (yaa) is regarded sacred among the Acholi people and the seeds are used to make a delicacy (Moo yaa) which was also used to smear on traditional chiefs during initiation ceremonies.You’ll join the process, cracking nuts, roasting, grinding, and churning the butter by hand, while local women share the secrets of this craft passed down through generations.But that’s not all, prepare for a delicious twist with a peanut butter making session. You will learn how peanuts, a staple in many Acholi Kitchens, are transformed into a smooth, creamy butter. You’ll experience and indulge in the process from roasting the peanuts to grinding them into a rich, flavorful paste. An Acholi Lunch will then come in handy and you will get to taste delicacies made with shea or peanut butter for an extra layer of flavor and nourishment.
The Roar Of Aruu
Rest is essential and we understand you will need a day to refresh for the next Acholi cultural experience so after breakfast, we will embark on the journey back to Gulu through Pader to one of Northern Uganda’s hidden natural treasures-Aruu Falls.The sound hits you before the sight does-thunderous, powerful, alive. The cascading waters tumble over ancient rock formations, inviting you to pause, breathe, and simply be. You’ll spend time here refreshing your spirit: dip your feet in the cool water, stretch out on sun-warmed rocks, or just let the mist kiss your face as nature hums all around you.A picnic like lunch will be served accompanied by a nature walk thereafter for you to simply enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings and watch the sunset. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a campsite.
Dance of the Ancestors
On this day, we will provide you with an early morning breakfast, then dive into the rich world of Acholi dance at roundpoint in Gulu. For the Acholi people, dance is a powerful form of storytelling, expression, and tradition.What's an adventure without experiencing one anyway? You'll experience iconic dances like Bwola, a royal dance marking cultural initiation, and Larakaraka, a lively courtship dance. The day will begin with a captivating Bwola performance, followed by lunch and an afternoon filled with dance sessions, performances, and lessons, immersing you in the rhythm and spirit of Acholi culture. We’ll return to your accommodation later in the evening, but we’re flexible to your needs and can adjust the schedule if you have a flight to catch.It's your adventure after all and we're here for the ride.
INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
- Transport
- English speaking community guides
- Accommodation on full board basis
- All Acholi Experiences & activities
mentioned in the itinerary - Hiking
- Local Souvenirs
EXCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa’s
- Travel Insurance
- All beverages except tea, coffee or juice taken at breakfast where breakfast is
included. - Tips, gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Any activity, meal or accommodation
NOT mentioned in the itinerary.
WHAT TO BRING?
- There is no power supply in the village so please charge you cameras and phones to the brim before departure.
- Comfortable walking and hiking shoes.
- Sunglasses, hats and sunscreens.
Spending money for additional activities, there are no banks where we are going. - Beddings and toiletries for personal use during the trip.
- Additionally, carry a torch or a solar-powered light for nighttime, as there is no power supply in the area.
- Camping tents and sleeping bags. (Optional)
BASIC TERMS
This is a conscious tourism experience that will have your perspectives challenged and broadened as you experience a new culture and hopefully gain fresh insights. Here are a few things you should know;
- We do our absolute best to keep to the Programme and timings but sometimes the weather/animals/roads/slow rhythm of village life gets the better of us!
- Respect of the community and local culture is paramount. We recommend modest clothes that covers the knees for the ladies to avoid discomfort for the locals and some very long uncomfortable stares.
- Taking of photos with consent from parties involved is also to be observed. We do not recommend taking photos of children during the experience
- Hill trail can be rough and the rock is pretty sun exposed during dry seasons, we recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and pants
- In the rural area , only pit latrines (hole in the ground) are available.
