16 Day Karamoja to Turkana Nomad Trail: Uganda and Kenya
A 2,000 km overland loop through Sipi, Pian Upe, the Pokot and Turkana lands, the Ik highlands and Kidepo.
Go beyond the expected.
Sixteen days among the pastoral peoples of the Uganda–Kenya borderlands. Stay with Pokot and Turkana families, cross to Lake Turkana, climb the rift escarpment to the Ik community and finish in Kidepo.
- Homestays with Pokot and Turkana families
- Boat ride to Central Island and the crater lakes
- Pian Upe walking safari and Mount Kadam slopes
- Ik community and the rift escarpment
- Kidepo game drives and walking safari
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle with driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Community homestays as listed
- Boat trip on Lake Turkana
- East Africa Tourist Visa guidance
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe
Entebbe
Arrive and transfer to a guesthouse.
Day 2 To Jinja
Jinja
Drive to Jinja, with optional rafting, kayaking or bungee, and a sundowner at the source of the Nile.
Day 3 To Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls
A four-hour drive to Sipi, then a falls hike and coffee tour.
Day 4 To Pian Upe
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Drive four hours to the reserve for an evening walking safari, a bush sundowner and a welcome from the community.
Day 5 Mount Kadam slopes and game drive
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
A morning hike on the slopes of Mount Kadam and an evening game drive with a bush sundowner.
Day 6 Into Kenya: West Pokot
Kapenguria and Masol
Drive to Kapenguria, meet a local guide, have an early lunch and visit the market, then drive to a Pokot community for a homestay and learn about the campaign against FGM.
Day 7 Pokot life and Lake Turkana
Masol and Eliye Springs
A traditional Pokot experience in the morning, then a five-hour drive to a lakeside resort on Lake Turkana.
Day 8 Central Island and the crater lakes
Lake Turkana
A boat ride to Central Island National Park and a walk among the crater lakes, with a sundowner back on shore.
Day 9 Turkana community
Lodwar and the Turkana community
Drive five hours via Lodwar to a Turkana community for a homestay and a traditional experience.
Day 10 Back to Uganda: Moroto
Moroto
A two-hour drive to Moroto with free time in town and a night in a nomadic cattle camp.
Day 11 Up the rift escarpment
Timu
A five-hour drive to the top of the East African rift escarpment with a sundowner at the camp.
Day 12 Ik community
Timu
A nature walk and a visit to the Ik community.
Day 13 To Kidepo
Kidepo Valley National Park
Drive three hours to Kidepo and take an afternoon game drive.
Day 14 Kidepo walking safari
Kidepo Valley National Park
A morning walking safari, an afternoon game drive and an evening by the pool.
Day 15 To Gulu
Gulu
A six-hour drive to Gulu for a city tour and dinner.
Day 16 Return to Entebbe
Entebbe
A seven-hour drive to Entebbe and your flight.
Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
East Africa Multi-Country Safaris Planning a Safari
Tanzania or Kenya Safari: How to Choose Fairly
A fair comparison of the migration, scenery, crowds and logistics.
Kenya National Parks Planning a Safari
Tsavo East and West National Parks: Red Elephants and Springs
Red elephants, springs and a short road to the coast.
Kenya Behind the Safari National Parks
Masai Mara National Reserve: River Crossings, Cats and Camps
River crossings, big cats and quiet conservancies in Kenya.
East Africa Birding Planning a Safari
Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
Match your dates to the birds, not just the weather.
Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 16 Day Karamoja to Turkana Nomad Trail: Uganda and Kenya
Can I combine a Kenya safari with the coast?
Yes. Pairing a Maasai Mara or Amboseli safari with a few days on the Kenyan coast (Diani, Watamu or Lamu) is a well-established combination, giving a wildlife-then-beach structure to the safari.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
Most nationalities need an eTA (electronic travel authorisation) for Kenya, applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need for a Kenya safari?
A focused Maasai Mara safari can work in 3–4 days, while combining the Mara with Amboseli, another park or the coast generally calls for 7–10 days. We shape the length around what you want to include.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Kenya have?
Kenya protects its wildlife across more than sixty national parks and reserves, an unusually extensive network for a single country: from the Maasai Mara and Amboseli in the south to Samburu and the arid northern reserves, each holding a somewhat different range of species.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.