5-Day Mount Moroto Hiking
Overview
Route: Kampala – Moroto – Mount Moroto (via Tapac/Tepeth Trail) – Return
Target Group: Experienced hikers and adventure travelers
Summary of Campsites and Elevation Profile
Day Camp Altitude (m) Elevation Gain/Loss Description
1 Moroto Lodge ~1,400 - Arrival Day
2 Suku Camp ~2,200 +500m Forested plateau
3 Tepeth Camp ~2,500 +800m / -500m Near summit ridge
4 Moroto Lodge ~1,400 -1,100m Base lodge
5 Kampala - - Travel Day
Optional Add-ons (Pre/Post-Hike):
Kidepo Valley National Park (3–4 hours from Moroto)
Sipi Falls en route
Traditional homestead visit with Tepeth or Matheniko communities
Karamoja cultural dance & storytelling evening
Additional Notes for Professional Hikers
Navigation: Guided only; GPS maps limited. Use of local Tepeth guides crucial.
Camping: All wilderness camps are non-permanent and without facilities—water purification tablets are essential.
Gear: Strong-soled boots, hydration pack, sun protection, lightweight long-sleeved clothing for thorn scrub zones.
Climate: Daytime temps can hit 30°C in lower zones; summit ridge can drop to 5–10°C at night.
Wildlife: Mostly birdlife and shy mammals—Moroto is less disturbed, offering rare glimpses of wild ungulates
Important information
- Road transport for the entire duration of the trip.
- Meals as indicated in the safari program.
- An English-speaking driver/guide.
- One liter of bottled water per day.
- Accommodation as indicated in the safari program
- The activities indicated in the safari program.
- Visas/entry permits to Uganda if required.
- Accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe after the excursion.
- Personal insurance covers.
- Tips, drinks and souvenirs
- All items of a personal nature
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please note: the tour itinerary and order may change
Itinerary
Route: Kampala – Jinja – Mbale – Soroti – Moroto (~570km / 10–11 hours drive)
Lunch stop: Soroti or Mbale (depending on timing)
1700hrs: Arrive in Moroto town
1800hrs: Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge (~1,400m altitude)
Meal Plan: Lunch en route, Dinner at lodge
Travel Insight: The long drive is rewarded with stunning scenery as you enter Karamoja. Moroto is a semi-arid savannah region nestled at the base of the volcanic Moroto Massif. The region is culturally rich and home to the Tepeth people, considered the original inhabitants of the mountain.
0730hrs: Meet Tepeth porters and UWA ranger guides
0800hrs: Begin trek through local homesteads and dry forest zone
Trail terrain: Rocky outcrops, seasonal riverbeds, and thorn bush transitioning to montane forest
Camp: Suku Camp (~2,200m), set on a natural clearing used by Tepeth herders
Distance: 10–12 km
Elevation Gain: ~500m
Duration: 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Tent camping (basic bush camp)
Meal Plan: Packed lunch, Hot dinner prepared by trail cook
Trail Highlight: Hikers pass through culturally significant Tepeth areas. Guides may share oral histories and introduce edible wild plants or medicinal herbs. Expect warm temperatures during the day, cooler nights.
Trail description: Steep and narrow footpaths through bamboo groves and ancient montane forest
Summit: Ascend to Nakiloro Ridge (~2,800–3,083m), the highest navigable point
Summit view: Sweeping views over Karamoja plains, Turkana lowlands (Kenya), and Mt Kadam in the distance
Descent to: Tepeth Camp (2,500m) on the forested shoulder of the peak
Distance: 14–16 km
Elevation Gain: ~800m up, ~500m down
Duration: 7–8 hours
Accommodation: Tent camping
Meal Plan: Hot breakfast, Packed lunch, Hot dinner
Trail Highlight: Mount Moroto is less trafficked, so wildlife is shy but occasionally visible—especially duikers, hornbills, or even leopard tracks. The summit approach rewards hikers with panoramic wilderness and solitude.
Distance: 10–12 km
Elevation Loss: ~1,100m
Duration: 4–5 hours
1300hrs: Return drive to Moroto town
Optional afternoon: Visit Karamoja Cultural Museum or interact with local artisans through Kara-Tunga’s community programs
Accommodation: Lodge (same as Day 1)
Meal Plan: Breakfast on trail, Lunch in Moroto, Dinner at lodge
Cultural Insight: Kara-Tunga’s social enterprise partners with local communities to preserve Karimojong culture. Optional activities include storytelling, traditional dances, or even beadwork sessions.
Lunch: Stopover in Soroti or Mbale
Arrival: Kampala by evening (~1800hrs depending on road condition)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch en route
Travel Insight: Road conditions can vary, especially during the rainy season. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for all transfers.
