NOMADIC KARAMOJA
7days /6 nights
In this expedition, you will journey across Uganda’s most dramatic and least-explored regions, from the power of the Nile to the wide plains of Kidepo, the heights of Mount Morungole, and a rare cultural encounter with the Ik people of karamoja.
KAMPALA – POWER OF THE NILE
Your expedition begins with an early morning pickup and a 242 km drive northwest toward Masindi and the wild heart of Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The scenery shifts fast, from open acacia savannah to thick tropical forest as the landscape opens up. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided nature walk, where you’ll track endangered white rhinos on foot and witness one of Uganda’s greatest conservation success stories up close. After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls for an exhilarating hike to the top of the falls, where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and plunges into the Albertine Rift Valley below. From the viewpoints above the falls, take in the power of the river before continuing your drive 88 KMs to Gulu where you will have dinner and an overnight stay at your accommodation.
DRIVE TO KIDEPO
After an early morning breakfast, Your day begins with a scenic drive to Kitgum, through landscapes that tell stories of resilience. In Kitgum, a visit to the National Memory and Peace Documentation Centre offers a quiet, moving glimpse into Northern Uganda’s past and journey toward peace. After a well deserved lunch and stretch, the adventure truly begins as you head north to Kidepo. Rolling savannahs, remote villages, and distant mountains unfold with every kilometer, until the wild expanse of Kidepo Valley National Park opens up before you. Home to over 475 bird species and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Uganda, it’s a place made for explorers. You will Check in at your lodge, breathe in the stillness of the north, and get ready for the next day's adventure.
THE WILD OF KIDEPO
On this day, rise with the sun for a full-day immersion into the raw beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park. As one of Uganda’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries, Kidepo is home to over 77 mammal species and nearly 500 varieties of birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the country. Your journey will take you deep into the Narus Valley, a seasonal oasis where wildlife congregates against the dramatic, rugged backdrop of the Morungole Mountains. To ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action, a scenic picnic lunch will be served in the heart of the wilderness, allowing you to dine surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.After an immersive experience, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
HIKING MOUNT MORUNGOLE
After breakfast, your adventure begins with a 10 km hike up Mount Morungole, taking about 2–3 hours. The trail winds from dry lowland scrub into rugged montane slopes, with dusty paths, rocky switchbacks, and sudden bursts of greenery as the vegetation changes with altitude. Bird lovers will be in their element, as the area is home to a variety of unique species. The highlight comes at the Nakale viewpoint, the highest point of the trail at around 2,475 m. From here, the landscape opens up into sweeping panoramas of Kidepo Valley National Park, distant hills, and the dramatic Karamoja borderlands, a truly unforgettable reward for your climb. After descending, return to your lodge to relax, enjoy dinner, and spend the night surrounded by the quiet beauty of northern Uganda.
LIVING AMONG THE IK TRIBE
After breakfast, transfer to Timu for an exhilarating escarpment walk where you'll traverse rocky trails and ancient paths along the ridge, taking in sweeping views of valleys, arid plains, and the East African Rift. Bird watchers and nature lovers will enjoy glimpses of the area’s rich biodiversity.You'll then pause for a scenic lunch near the escarpment, with stunning Rift Valley vistas as your backdrop before preceding to Immerse yourself in the life of the Ik people, one of Uganda’s smallest and most unique ethnic communities. Learn about their traditional farming, beekeeping, and cultural practices in an authentic, hands-on experience.As the day winds down, you’ll return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
MAJESTIC ARUU FALLS
After an early breakfast, we begin our nearly 570km journey back toward Gulu. As we leave the rugged wilderness of Kidepo behind, you’ll enjoy a final glimpse of the raw beauty that defines Northern Uganda. Lunch will be provided enroute and The highlight of the day is a stop at the picturesque Aruu Falls in Pader District. Here, the water cascades over jagged, tiered rock formations, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle. You will have ample time to explore the top of the falls, capture stunning photographs, and enjoy a scenic picnic lunch accompanied by the tranquil roar of the water. Afterward, we continue our drive south, arriving in Gulu by evening to catch up with dinner and enough rest at your accommodation.
DRIVE TO KAMPALA
Today after an early morning breakfast, we’ll start our 335 km drive from Gulu back to Kampala. It’s a straight run through the middle of the country, crossing the Nile at Karuma where you can see the river rushing over the rocks below the bridge. As we head south, you'll notice the dry, open plains of the north slowly turn into the green, hilly farmland of the central region. It’s a steady drive that gives you one last look at the local villages and busy trading centers from your window. We’ll push through directly to the city, arriving in Kampala by the afternoon to end our safari journey.
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.
