Exploring Karamoja on a Uganda Safari

Karamoja region is a semi arid area home to some magnificent nature with lush savannah and rugged dry mountain ranges. The region is located in North eastern Uganda comprising of five districts of Moroto, Abim, Kotido and Kaabong neighboring South Sudan and north eastern Kenya. The northern tip of Karamoja is dominated by Kidepo Valley National Park, declared Africa’s true wilderness, it is one of the largest wildlife rich areas home to 77 mammals species and 475 species of birds.

Karamoja is a unique region by the cultural traditions of several ethnic communities. The largest communities are the Karamajong of Nilotic origin. They are semi-nomadic traditional cattle keeping warriors living in huts called Manyattas made built with mud, cow dung and thatched with grass. Karamajong are uniquely identified by their patterned scars on the forehead and unique way of dressing- wrapping a traditional sarong and wearing beaded jewelry to decorate their neck and arms. Their life is quite similar to the Turkana and Masai of Kenya. There’s also the Ik tribe who are hunter gatherers.

Places to visit in Karamoja region

Kidepo Valley National Park

Traveling to Karamoja region, you will get the most out of your Uganda safari in Kidepo Valley National park. This is without doubt the true African wilderness, home to 77 mammals and 475 species of birds. Kidepo has the largest herd of up to 4000 buffaloes and offers the chance to spot lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and various antelope species such as Uganda, kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, grants gazelle’s. Most popular activities are guided game drive safaris conducted in jeeps by naturalist Uganda wildlife authority guide and rangers. They offer an incredible view of the animals in the Narus valley like cheetah, Aard wolf, stripe sided jackal which are not found in other parks of Uganda.

There are several tours to do throughout the park. Birding tours offer a chance to spot a huge variety of birds by hiking the Lomej Mountains and walks inside the park through the Narus valley. For birds, this can yield sightings of many birds of prey such as vultures, eagles, Abyssinian ground hornbill as well as bee-eaters, rollers, and the endemic Karamoja apalis among the 475 species which Kidepo boasts.

Kalapata Village – Manyatta settlements

Kalapata is a village in Kaabong located off the road going inside Kidepo valley. This is the tour that will show you the villages and lifestyle of the Karamajong. A local Karamojong guide will show you how they herd cattle, live in huts called Manyatta settlements forming a beautiful landscape. Beautiful scenery is found in Nakapiripiti on the way to Moroto and also in the park.

Some of the villages near the park can be visited for a traditional cultural dance performance and learning how they make their beaded jewelries. The lorokul wear their wraps and can be invited to your lodge for entertain you.

Karamoja museum and cultural center

Karamoja museum and cultural center is found at the foothills of Mount Moroto, in Moroto the largest town in the region. It showcases the culture of the Karamajong and other ethnic tribes in the entire Karamoja region with both object collections and scholarly programs to interpret history. The museum is worth a stopover when going or returning from Kidepo valley national park.

Treasures of Africa Museum

This is another private museum named the treasures of Africa located in Kitale just south of Moroto town. The museum has got a theory called a “stitch in time” which explains the history of Karamoja and north eastern Kenya. You can see artifacts and tools the people use as well as handcrafted materials.

How to get there

Karamoja region is remote area located in north eastern part of Uganda along the border with South Sudan and North Eastern Kenya. Depending on your interests and time, you can fly for 1 hour by light charter aircraft or drive a car from Kampala covering a stance of about 571 km take which can 12-13 hours. While the journey may be long, it offers beautiful scenery of the country side. There are two routes, one that goes through Murchison falls National park, Gulu and Kitgum town and another through Eastern Uganda.

Accommodation

You can stay at one of the luxury lodges or stay at budget and self catering campsites.

There are 3 lodges inside the park where you will hear the lions roaring in the night. Apoka safari lodge is for the luxury experience. The choice for budget travelers is limited to Apoka rest camp and Nga Moru wilderness camp outside the park. If you are so adventurous, there are self catering Kakine self campsite. This camp provides local food, but if you are in for self catering, then you have to bring your own food and supplies.