Dutch cycling couple Paul Zuidgeest and Kathleen Verhelst are cycling through Africa and passed through Karamoja land with Kara-Tunga that took them to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Watch below video where the couple is cycling from Karamoja land towards Murchison Falls.
Translated from their website
However, in the rest of Uganda, Karmoja still has a bad reputation. This is confirmed, among other things, by a saying that they have in Uganda: “We can’t wait until Karamoja has finally developed.” I do not need to give an explanation.
These two reasons (the far corner; you have to drive at least 450 km on a dust road to get there and the fact that it is considered an underdeveloped region by the rest of Uganda) ensures that this park is almost never recommended, let alone we meet men who actively sell or safari cars are ready for us. The various other National Parks in Uganda are closer to the international airport at Kampala and also a shorter distance from each other, so that is what the tour operators are focusing on.
However, we read that Kidepo Valley National Park has been named the 3rd most beautiful park in Africa and the 5th most beautiful National Park in the world by CNN Travel, after the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Kalahari Reserve in Botswana. We know what to do.
The first 200 km. we travel on the bike. We cycle through a savanna landscape; red dust roads, lots of tall grasses and the occasional acacia tree. This part of Karamoja is still somewhat inhabited, so we can find sleeping accommodation along the way after a good day of cycling and replenish our supplies along the way. On the last 250 km. however, the distances between towns are so great and any necessary help comes so sporadically that we do not consider it responsible to cycle it. The dust roads are sometimes so sandy that we have to push our bikes and a heavy rain shower makes them impervious, unfortunately in our experience.
In short, we decide to rent a car from Moroto. Unlike other National Parks, we really have to look for a suitable four wheel drive here, but eventually Kara-Tunga Tours has one. On one condition; it is only for hire including driver …”
Read the Dutch version: https://www.cyclingafrica.org/oeganda2-onderweg/
Karamoja Guides for Uganda Tour Guide Training Assessors – Two years ago we founded the Karamoja Tourism Academy and relied heavily on people from other regions to assess our students. Today we’re celebrating the graduation of our very own Karamoja Guides for Tour Guide Training Assessors.
Traveling Karamoja, a secret gem of Uganda – This incredible organization was founded when a passionate half-Dutch/half-Karamojong came back to Uganda to explore his roots, traveling for months talking to elders, climbing mountains, and exploring the culture. Since its start, Kara-Tunga continues lifting up the culture and the people of Karamoja.
Tour operators among other stakeholders in Uganda and Ethiopia have been urged to promote tourism products and services in both countries as a single destination. This development will greatly improve the freedom of movement between the countries and Kara-Tunga’s initiative for cross-border tourism development in the region.
The Adventure Tourism Uganda training modules can be used by anyone with an interest in training others in the skills needed for a career in adventure tourism.
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Bikepacking through Karamoja with a Kidepo Safari
Dutch cycling couple Paul Zuidgeest and Kathleen Verhelst are cycling through Africa and passed through Karamoja land with Kara-Tunga that took them to Kidepo Valley National Park.
More articles on Bikepacking Uganda
Read more stories of guests bikepacking through Uganda and especially Northeast Uganda in Karamoja: www.kara-tunga.com/tag/bikepacking-uganda/
The route
Cycling through Karamoja
Watch below video where the couple is cycling from Karamoja land towards Murchison Falls.
Translated from their website
However, in the rest of Uganda, Karmoja still has a bad reputation. This is confirmed, among other things, by a saying that they have in Uganda: “We can’t wait until Karamoja has finally developed.” I do not need to give an explanation.
These two reasons (the far corner; you have to drive at least 450 km on a dust road to get there and the fact that it is considered an underdeveloped region by the rest of Uganda) ensures that this park is almost never recommended, let alone we meet men who actively sell or safari cars are ready for us. The various other National Parks in Uganda are closer to the international airport at Kampala and also a shorter distance from each other, so that is what the tour operators are focusing on.
However, we read that Kidepo Valley National Park has been named the 3rd most beautiful park in Africa and the 5th most beautiful National Park in the world by CNN Travel, after the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Kalahari Reserve in Botswana. We know what to do.
The first 200 km. we travel on the bike. We cycle through a savanna landscape; red dust roads, lots of tall grasses and the occasional acacia tree. This part of Karamoja is still somewhat inhabited, so we can find sleeping accommodation along the way after a good day of cycling and replenish our supplies along the way. On the last 250 km. however, the distances between towns are so great and any necessary help comes so sporadically that we do not consider it responsible to cycle it. The dust roads are sometimes so sandy that we have to push our bikes and a heavy rain shower makes them impervious, unfortunately in our experience.
In short, we decide to rent a car from Moroto. Unlike other National Parks, we really have to look for a suitable four wheel drive here, but eventually Kara-Tunga Tours has one. On one condition; it is only for hire including driver …”
Read the Dutch version: https://www.cyclingafrica.org/oeganda2-onderweg/
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Karamoja Guides for Uganda Tour Guide Training Assessors
Karamoja Guides for Uganda Tour Guide Training Assessors – Two years ago we founded the Karamoja Tourism Academy and relied heavily on people from other regions to assess our students. Today we’re celebrating the graduation of our very own Karamoja Guides for Tour Guide Training Assessors.
Traveling Karamoja, a secret gem of Uganda
Traveling Karamoja, a secret gem of Uganda – This incredible organization was founded when a passionate half-Dutch/half-Karamojong came back to Uganda to explore his roots, traveling for months talking to elders, climbing mountains, and exploring the culture. Since its start, Kara-Tunga continues lifting up the culture and the people of Karamoja.
Uganda and Ethiopia region as single Tourist Destination
Tour operators among other stakeholders in Uganda and Ethiopia have been urged to promote tourism products and services in both countries as a single destination. This development will greatly improve the freedom of movement between the countries and Kara-Tunga’s initiative for cross-border tourism development in the region.
Launch Adventure Tourism Uganda Training Modules
The Adventure Tourism Uganda training modules can be used by anyone with an interest in training others in the skills needed for a career in adventure tourism.