The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in collaboration with Miss Uganda Foundation and Breathtaking Uganda, have launched a grand promotional tour of Pian Upe and Lokichar wildlife reserves and Moroto in Karamoja sub-region.
The four-day and three-night tour will see the team accompanied by other tour lovers experience Uganda’s largest national protected game reserve covering an area of about 2043sqkm north of Mount Elgon.
The tour will see participants immerse into the Karimojong traditions, lifestyle and way of life by eating authentic Karimojong based meals, drink, dressing in their cultural dressings, listening to Karimojong folksongs and tales and participating in their dances.
Also, Pian Upe wildlife reserve and Lokichar will offer some of the rarest opportunities to see game like cheetahs, ostriches, roan antelopes among many other animals plus the unique flora, fauna and breathtaking landscapes patent to these reserves and this region in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch, Martin Mugarra, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities said, “As the Ministry of Tourism, we would like to thank all Ugandans in general and in particular young people who have heeded the domestic tourism call. We are glad that today as we launch this grand tour of Karamoja, we have celebrated young people like Miss Uganda queens, musicians like The Mith and Navio, Breathtaking Uganda and over 40 young enthusiastic travelers joining us for this excursion.”
He noted that such initiatives align with the ministry’s objective of ensuring the whole country embraces domestic tourism.
According to Breathtaking Uganda CEO Isaiah Rwanyekiro, the chief organizers of the activation, the tour is an experience that no Ugandan would love to miss.
“The whole experience from the road trip experience, the bonding with Miss Uganda and the honorable minister and the jungle experiences is something to behold. Also, the fact that we want to stay and experience the lives of the Karamojong, one of Uganda’s truly authentic cultures, we are looking forward to the best experience ever curated in the domestic tourism space.”
Beauty with a purpose tour
A part from the tour experience, The Minister and the Beauty Queens will engage in some charity activities with special reference to the community near Pian Upe headquarters.
Together with the Karamoja Children’s Charity, a charity supporting girls rescued from forced marriages the travelling contingent will be engaged in a drive that will mobilize support towards school fees, scholastic materials, sanitary pads, panties, soap etc. for the vulnerable girls.
“The charity mission is something I hold dear as the current holder of Miss Uganda crown. This is because The Miss Uganda Foundation is there to uplift girls, and it is also what I passionately wanted to do all my life.” Miss Uganda Hannah Karema said.
The Miss Uganda beauty queens will also give motivational talks to the affected girls on issues of mental health, menstrual hygiene and encourage these young girls to desist from teenage and early/childhood marriages.
Draft Itinerary
Day One: Thursday 30th November, 2023
Set off from Kampala, meeting and flag off point being Uganda Museum.
Drive with stopovers in Jinja at Whispers of the Nile for a brunch break and official opening and launch of Whispers of the Nile lodge.
After brunch around 1pm the team will then drive straight to Pian Upe headquarters and check into Karamoja Overland Camp and Pian Upe UWA bandas in Pian Upe game reserve.
Day Two: Friday December 1, 2023
Early morning game drive ending with a breakfast in the wilderness with a surprise leading Ugandan guest chef at Napedet rock cave, one-of-a-kind experience never done in the domestic group travel in Uganda.
Lunch break
Afternoon visit one of the communities near Pian Upe.
Evening relax at Karamoja Overland Camp and Pian Upe UWA bandas, watch the beautiful sunset and an evening barbecue of organically farmed goat meat feast with campfire games and storytelling.
Day Three: Saturday December 2, 2023
Early morning breakfast
Transfer from Pian Upe through Namalu, Tokola then Nakapiripirit, Lorengwadwat then Moroto town.
Along the way have stop overs for various Kodak moments against the beautiful backdrop scenery of Karamoja.
Check into Seven Ranges Hotel and have lunch
Immediately after lunch head to Moroto museum for the tour and handover ceremony to the contractors for reconstruction and upgrading.
3pm Drive to Lokichar game reserve for a tour of this beautiful property and later in the evening have a sundowner barbecue feast and cocktails here.
7pm drive back to Seven Ranges Hotel for campfire and storytelling and travel testimonies sharing.
If possible and security clears us we also plan to have a two-hour night experience of a typical Karimojong community and later rest everyone goes to rest at leisure.
Day Four: Sunday December 3, 2023
Breakfast at Seven Ranges Hotel
After breakfast, transfer back to Kampala through Nakapiripirit, Soroti, Mbale, Iganga, Jinja and Kampala marking the end of our trip.
