Self Drive To Karamoja Sub-region
Recently, Karamoja has been documented to be a sluggish and uncivilized region. Sayings like we can’t wait for Karamoja to develop (which translates to not wait for certain people who were not catching up with the surging. The ever-annual hunger, cattle raids, and unrest were the characteristics that described the Karamoja Sub-region.
As far as travelling is concerned and exploring Uganda, Karamoja Sub-region is among the interesting parts of the country to visit and explore. We bring this article expounding on all things and places to do and visit when visiting this amazing region. The Sub-region is the furthest to reach by road, located in the northeastern region bordering both South Sudan and Kenya. It’s a region known mainly for the Karamajong people, who were formerly cattle raiders who once claimed to own all the cattle in the country (Uganda).
The raids are violent practice which involves death, and this practiced with the fellow Kalenjin in Kenya. And with these cattle raiding practice, the region suffered with unprecedented unrest mainly from the raiders who even owned guns.
However, the good news is that these raid related violence is no longer surfacing the top news of the region. The security insurance is high and there is no need to worry when visiting to explore Karamoja Sub-region.
Karamoja Sub-region has become one of the thrilling tourist destination in the country. And below are the some of the many things you can do and visit when visited/ traveled to Karamoja Sub-reg9ion.
What to do/ where to go on a tour to Karamoja Sub-region
Kidepo Valley National Park
The prime tourist destination for the region, whoever is opting to visit this amazing region, Kidepo Valley National Park is the place to first ponder on. Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s 3rd largest national park after Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The protected area stretches on the total land area of 1442kmq with an elevation of over 2000m.
The Savannah park holds a lot which makes it draw close on the list of top tourist destinations to visit in Uganda. The CNN in 2015 named Kidepo the remotest tourist destinations in the region considering the tough road accessibility. Though, today the road accessibility issues have changed due to a lot of road infrastructural mapping surfacing across the country.
Murchison falls
The beauty of Kidepo and its tourist rewards has qualified the Park to always feature on the list of safari destinations in African in the Word Tourism Awards WTA. So, without doubt it’s a destination you would never wish to miss on your travel projection program when opted for a safari in Uganda.
The beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park is affiliated to vast and longest scenic view of golden Savannahs and the isolated rocky elevations. The issue is backed up by the larger concentration of wildlife which is seen mainly at the two valleys of Narus and Kidepo. The two valleys are habitations for larger herds of antelope species, buffaloes, elephants, then towers of giraffes, decorates of Zebras, predators like lions leopards, wild dogs, the theatrical warthogs, vast of bird species among which include secretary birds and the ostrich from the Kidepo Valley.
This park is an opening to wildlife encounters mainly on game drives and nature walks, the bigger binoculars set at a platform at Apoka the parks headquarters makes it possible even to track animals at for distance. Savannah wild night camping is another amazing adventure, you are accompanied by an armed ranger and have your cramped to the wildest.
Pian-Upe National Game Reserve
The other sure to explore in the Karamoja region is Pain Upe Game Reserve. This is Uganda’s 2nd largest protected area after Murchison Falls National Park, the reserve is stretched on a 2043kmq land cover. The reserve is a stretcher of the larger Karamoja Conservation Area Corridor which is mainly named with Kidepo, Pian Upe, Matheniko and Bokora protected areas.
Pian Upe Game Reserve is easily accessed via the eastern route, and is directly situated miles after Sipi waterfall at the foothills of Mt. Elgon ad the reserve is named in the southern edges of Karamoja Sub-region, and the among the young boys on stage as far as wildlife safaris in Uganda are concerned.
The Pian UpeNational Reserve is sought of being elevated to a national park standard, and in the process UWA is working to restock the reserve with wildlife species. Impalas were translocated from Lake Mburo, giraffes from Murchison Falls, special species are sighted at the park and these include the rare Male elands, ostriches, cheetahs Hartebeest, elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards are recorded to be members of the reserve among others.
A visit and stay at Pian Upe means doing a game drive watching various animals, bird watching, nature walks and cultural encounters. Accessing Pian Upe is today made easy following road infrastructural development in the region.
Bokora Matheniko Game Reserve
Another stretcher of the Karamoja conservation corridor. Bokora game reserve and Matheniko game reserves are separate, though these joined reserves st times taken to be one which join again to Pian Upe. The two reserves of Bokora and Matheniko joins to the weather of northwestern Kenya and Somalia which is more drier.
These reserves are among the rare destinations which are sparsely crowded by tourist, though are greater rewards for tourists. The Bokora Matheniko game reserve is easily accessed through the Pian Upe route as the reserves share borders.
Karatunga Safaris Camp
The cultural ground for the Karamajong people, whatever you need to know about the Karamoja people, this spot is best for you. The Karatunga camp is mainly known for organizing Karamoja cultural tours.
Among the adventures included on the Karatunga Karamoja experiences is night camping experiences where to get a chance to sleep in the Manyatta housing of the Karamoja people. Testing local beers and dishes prepared, participating in the traditional dances and songs among many other things. If wish to explore the broader way about the Karamoja people, the Karatunga safari campsites has the best arrangements.
Mount Moroto Climbing
Climbing mount Moroto is ascending to the highest peak of the Sub-region at an elevation of 3083m above sea level. The most challenging hiking trail in Karamoja, however it’s the most rewarding hiking trail. The mountain is located in Moroto district some miles from Moroto town. Mount Moroto climbing continues through the off the beaten paths and it can last for a full day to and from.
Mount Moroto climbing always combined with cultural encounters of the Karamajong culture and practices. It’s an encounter worthy a trail. To take on mount Moroto climbing is easily accessed through the Sipi waterfalls, through Pian Upe and Moroto is accessed. So, the eastern route is preferably okay than the northern route.
Climbing Morungole and Visiting the Ik People
This is beating two birds with one stone, the erect of Mt. Morungole has attracted hikers to explore the beauty bestowed therein, however in the mountain canopy are these rare people called the Ik. Among the common climbing trails is taking a climb to Mt. Morungole, which trail leads to the Ik people. These are special uncivilized communities people living in the hills of Karamoja, are also known to be the people who speak the Spanish like language.
The Ik pepeople’ existence wasn’t recognized not until late in 2020s were in a plane special people were seen and later the government had to recognize their existence. These people have attracted several of tourists to visit these people. Their visit is always accompanied with provisions of basic of life.
A certain level of fitness is required when opting to climb Mt. Morungole as it involves trekking from where the vehicle can no longer go any farther. The hike two and covers about 12km and the activity it’s needs a full tempered day.
Community Visits
The Karamoja Sub-region is occupied by the people called Karamajongs. These are the people who claim that all the cattle in Uganda belongs to them together with their brothers in the neighboring Kenya the Kalenjin. These Karamajongs of the region vary in their practices where some are herders and others are cultivators. The Karamajongs northern, eastern to the southern of the Sub-region are mainly herders, and those on the western are cultivators. Visiting these communities the experiences vary.
The Karamajongs cultural experiences is among the few in Uganda who still hold the first touch of the real African people. The Manyatta housing defensive style still is for ages, cultural dances and songs which are prepared for visitors to their communities are interesting. So to any district you visit in Karamoja Sub-region, make it a point to visit and experience their cultural life.
