10 Days Eastern Circuit of Uganda - Mt.Elgon, Karamoja and Kidepo National Park

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

Overnight at: Cassia Lodge/Metropole Hotel. BB

Early morning leave Kampala to Jinja the capital town of the Basoga, where you find the legendary source of the Nile from Lake Victoria.nAmong 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 and Sipi for dinner and overnight

Overnight at: Sipi River Lodge or Similar. Full Board

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.

Overnight at: Dinner and overnight in Soroti at Soroti Hotel or similar. Full Board

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 alberated savannah with euphorbia’s 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.

Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Moroto Hotel/ Leslona Hotel. Full Board

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. nIn 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 their raiding the cattle of the neighboring tribes. Their lifestyle is slowly changing to residential agriculturalists. Visit the typical homestead or “manyatta” to view the style of life. The Matheniko also can perform their traditional dances or “edonja” as they dress on their traditional clothes. In the evening back to Moroto for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at: Moroto Hotel/ Hotel Leslona. Full Board

After breakfast, leave Moroto to Kotido passing through the areas of herdsmen with their cattle. Near Kotido are found 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.

Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Kotido Resort Hotel / Kotido Guest House. Full Board

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 nearby Kidepo National Park, for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at: Kidepo Savanah Lodge /UWA Bandas (supplement for Apoka Safari Lodge). Full Board

After breakfast go for photographic game drives along the trails of the national park. Especially, expect to explore the region of the river Narus valley. Kidepo contains one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals several of which restricted only to Kidepo, like cheetah, striped hyena and caracal. The bird list boasts over 465 species.

Overnight at: Full board and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge /UWA Bandas (supplement for Apoka Safari Lodge)

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

Overnight at: Bomah Hotel/The Comboni Good Samaritans of Gulu. Full Board

End of the program with return back to Kampala and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for afternoon or evening flights. Lunch en route. Half Board