Tour of Karamoja: 28 October to 12 November 2026
Uganda’s Wilderness Bike Challenge
The Tour of Karamoja is the official cycling event of Uganda. Through this tour, the region aims to showcase the positive story of northeastern Uganda and stimulate sustainable tourism. During this extraordinary journey, you will cross the pure, rugged landscapes of Uganda and make a direct contribution to local development.
You will stay at small-scale, local accommodations in the form of ‘lazy camping’. This means you do not sleep in a room, but in a comfortable two-person tent with a real mattress, which is already set up for you upon arrival. In addition, you will undertake activities together with the locals. This way, you support various communities and get to know people in a personal way, as they gladly welcome you into their daily lives, traditions, and customs.
Supporting a good cause: By participating in the Tour of Karamoja, you contribute $150.00 to a local charity. You pay this amount yourself as a participant, and it is included in the travel sum. Together with all participants, money is raised for the Matany Girls’ Vocational School. With an amount of $550.00, one girl can complete a full vocational education, including an internship and career guidance.
This year marks the 10th edition of the Tour of Karamoja — a special milestone that we are making extra special. For this anniversary edition, a maximum of 50 participants can cycle along, and we are making the tour more accessible to a wider audience.
You will cycle the Warrior Nomad Trail, which begins on the savannah plains of the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and takes you through the forests of West Pokot and the rolling hills of the East African Rift, ultimately leading to Kidepo Valley National Park. Out of the eight cycling days, six are offered with two route variants: a shorter distance and the full distance. After lunch, you choose which distance you want to ride that day. This ensures the Tour of Karamoja remains a challenge, but one that suits different skill levels and preferences. A journey that is not only unforgettable for you, but also makes a lasting difference to others.
The route you will take during this trip through Karamoja
Your journey through Karamoja begins in Kampala. From here, you travel by car to the starting point of the Tour of Karamoja in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
From Pian Upe, you get on your bike and travel through the heart of Karamoja. You cross desert-like areas, pass small villages, and cross the border with Kenya twice along the way. The route takes you through the impressive East African Rift, where you tackle various short and longer climbs and are rewarded with sweeping views over the landscape.
Eventually, you reach Kidepo Valley National Park. After completing the cycling stages, you return by car to Kampala, where you board your flight home on day 15.
The total route is approximately 765 kilometres long and features around 7,300 vertical metres. You cover this distance in eight unique stages, varying in length and difficulty.
Support the Good Cause: Matany Girls’ Vocational School
At CvA travel, it is about more than just adventure and cycling. You travel through special areas and come into contact with local communities. Your journey brings you close to daily life in Karamoja, and through the Tour of Karamoja, you also make a concrete contribution to an initiative in the region.
The Matany Girls’ Vocational School is one such initiative. The school is located in the Karamoja region, in northeastern Uganda. Girls in this region often grow up in difficult circumstances, with limited access to education and healthcare. Early marriages, gender-based violence, and the consequences of prolonged conflicts make it difficult for many girls to shape their own futures — while it is precisely they who deserve that chance.
The school was founded by Naduk Florence Nora, who was herself born and raised in Karamoja. Thanks to a scholarship, she got the opportunity to study, an experience that permanently changed her life. From that personal background, she decided to give something back to her community. Her mission is clear: to give girls the chance to learn a trade, become independent, and look to the future with confidence.
By participating in the fundraising event Tour of Karamoja, you discover this extraordinary region, become acquainted with daily life in Karamoja, and contribute directly to the future of young girls. With your contribution, you support education, vocational training, and opportunities for work and independence. Together with the local community, a better future is being built for girls and women in Karamoja. Will you travel with us?
The Warrior Nomad Trail: an epic route through the unknown
The backbone of this event is the Warrior Nomad Trail. This is no ordinary cycling route, but a journey through an area that has been isolated from the outside world for years. The route runs from south to north and crosses the Karamoja plateau. You start in the vast savannahs of the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, the second-largest protected nature reserve in Uganda. From here, you cycle towards the border with Kenya, through the forests of West Pokot and over the rolling hills of the East African Rift.
The landscape changes every day. One day you cycle on dusty gravel roads overlooking enormous volcanic mountains that seem to rise from nowhere, the next day you navigate narrow goat paths (‘singletracks’) through dense vegetation. In total, you cover approximately 765 kilometres during the event and conquer around 7,300 vertical metres, divided across 8 unique stages. The finish is in Kidepo Valley National Park, which is often described by experts as the most beautiful and pristine wildlife park in Africa.
A physical and mental challenge in Uganda
The Tour of Karamoja is described as ‘life-changing’. It is a journey that requires perseverance. The roads are unpaved, it can be hot, and the distances are serious. But that is exactly what makes the satisfaction at the finish so immense. It is an achievement to be proud of, where you not only conquer the terrain but also push your own boundaries.
16-day Wildlife cycling trip in Uganda for adventurers of all levels
Perhaps ‘Wilderness Bike Challenge’ sounds intimidating, but the organisation ensures the tour is accessible to a broad group of cyclists. You do not need to be a top athlete to participate, although a good base level of fitness and mountain biking experience is required. The unique aspect of this event is the flexibility of the routes.
The organisation works with different route options each day. Often there is a choice between a longer, technically tougher route (A-line) and a shorter, more passable route (B-line). This way, you can decide each day how you feel and how much of a challenge you are looking for. Furthermore, it is not a race. There is no timekeeping and no podium; the atmosphere focuses on working together, enjoying, and reaching the finish line.
Support and safety during the Tour of Karamoja
You are never alone. The Tour of Karamoja is a fully catered event. Support vehicles travel alongside for technical assistance, luggage transport, and emergencies. Should you have a mechanical breakdown or feel physically exhausted, there is always backup available. Guides and medical support also cycle along with the group.
Cultural encounters with the Karamojong in Uganda
Karamoja is the land of the Karamojong, a people of semi-nomadic pastoralists closely related to the Maasai in Kenya and the Tanzanians. They are known for their colourful blankets, traditional jewellery, and their cattle, which are central to their culture. Because the region has been isolated for a long time, many traditions are still very much alive here.
During the cycling trip, you will pass straight through the villages, which are called manyattas. These are traditional settlements surrounded by thorn branch fences. The residents are often just as curious about you as you are about them. Children run enthusiastically alongside the cyclists, and there is a lot of waving and laughing along the way. The “Karamoja smile” is famous. We stop regularly for a chat or a cultural activity, allowing you to truly connect with the people who live here.
Wildlife: cycling amongst the Big 5
The grand finale of the trip takes place in Kidepo Valley National Park. This park is located in the far north, against the border with South Sudan, and is often called the “lost park” because it is so remote. The landscape is breathtaking: vast plains with the occasional borassus palm, surrounded by rugged mountain ranges.
Here you literally cycle amongst the wildlife. Kidepo is known for its large herds of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs also live here. In the park, we are always accompanied by armed rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). They ensure safety and know exactly where the animals are located. Cycling through this scenery is an experience that cannot be compared to any other safari.
