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.
Departures
Uganda’s Wilderness Bike Challenge
The Tour of Karamoja is the official cycling event of Uganda. Because this is an “event”, there is a maximum capacity of 50 participants worldwide. Does this event appeal to you? Then check below for the event dates.
Do you want to know what the “fit” level entails? Then read on under the “practical information” tab. Tip: you can always make use of our e-MTBs.
Prefer a different cycling trip through the Karamoja region or an individual cycling trip?
That is, of course, possible too! CvA travel also offers a 17-day group tour in North-Eastern Uganda, which also goes through parts of the Karamoja region. Would you rather book an individual trip to Uganda? Feel free to contact us; we would be happy to help you design a tailor-made individual journey.
Day-to-day
Day-to-day programme: 16 days Tour of Karamoja
Below you will find everything about the day-to-day programme of the Tour of Karamoja 2026 (because the event takes place in an unspoilt area, it is always possible that slight changes to the route may occur). It is one of the most impressive journeys for admiring this authentic and rugged area of Uganda. You will be amazed by the many diverse and fascinating landscapes, the wild animals, and the sweet, ever-cheerful locals.
Day 1: Wednesday 28 October 2026 - Arrival in Kampala
As soon as you set foot on Ugandan soil, you will be embraced by the infectious cheerfulness of this country. Everything feels different – the rhythm, the colours, the sounds – yet you feel immediately welcome. You will be greeted with a smile at customs, after which our Ugandan team will be waiting for you. They will take you to your hotel in Kampala.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Yellow Haven
Day 2: Thursday 29 October 2026 - Bike testing and a gentle ride across Lake Victoria
Today is all about preparing calmly and getting going at a relaxed pace. In the morning, you will receive your rental bike, which will be carefully adjusted to your size. If you have brought your own bike, this is the time to assemble it and get it road-ready. Towards the end of the morning, you will board a traditional wooden boat that takes you and the bikes across Lake Victoria. On the other side of the lake, a completely different world awaits: small villages, quiet sandy roads, trails, and a green, wooded environment. Here you will go for a bike ride to loosen your legs. You will enjoy a simple but delicious lunch – a freshly prepared ‘rolex’ or the lodge’s packed lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Yellow Haven
Day 3: Friday 30 October 2026 - Shoebill safari in Mabamba Swamp
You will take a relaxing excursion to Mabamba Swamp, a vast and protected wetland on the edge of Lake Victoria, known worldwide as the place to spot the rare shoebill stork. Gliding silently in a small boat through narrow waterways surrounded by tall papyrus reeds, you will scan the marsh with a local bird expert. At the end of the afternoon, you check in at Banda Inn, strategically chosen for tomorrow’s departure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Banda Inn
Day 4: Saturday 31 October 2026 - Off to the Karamoja region
Today you leave the Kampala area behind and travel towards the rugged and rarely visited northeast of Uganda. It is a long but highly varied drive to the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Pian Upe is the largest protected nature reserve in Uganda and lies in a savannah basin enclosed by three extinct volcanoes. At the end of the day, you arrive at the camp, where you will be welcomed with a traditional ceremony.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Day 5: Sunday 1 November 2026 - Cycling from Pian Upe to Lake Turkwel (Kenya)
The ride starts near the Kenyan border and takes you through a rarely visited area where daily life still moves at a quiet, traditional pace. You cycle through small villages and forested zones, past local Pokot communities known for keeping camels. You follow the Turkwel River until you reach the shores of the remote Lake Turkwel in Kenya. You will spend the night on the shores of the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 95 km
Elevation: 560m ↑ / 650m ↓
Day 6: Monday 2 November 2026 - Cycling from Lake Turkwel to Kosike
Today you bid farewell to Lake Turkwel and head inland. It is a tough but particularly beautiful cycling day. The route consists of a varied mix of steep unpaved climbs and narrow singletracks winding through local communities. Gradually, you get closer to the Ugandan border and gain more altitude. A long, beautiful, and technical descent brings you towards the Kosike area. (You can shorten the stage after lunch).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 84 km
Elevation: 1,400m ↑ / 1,300m ↓
Day 7: Tuesday 3 November 2026 - Cycling from Kosike to the Turkana Desert (Kenya)
Today feels like a transition between two worlds. Near the Kenyan border, the climbing begins. The route takes you up along the edge of the African Rift Valley, rewarding you with impressive panoramas. This is followed by a spectacular long descent towards the dry north of Kenya: Turkana County. The final 30-kilometre stretch is challenging, featuring gravel roads, dry riverbeds, and soft sand passages amidst rising temperatures.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 80 km
Elevation: 720m ↑ / 1,100m ↓
Day 8: Wednesday 4 November 2026 - Cycling from Turkana to Moroto
You wake up in a camp located in a dry riverbed in the middle of the Turkana Desert. The route takes you straight through the desert—a harsh, open, and rugged landscape. After the desert, the climbing begins again as you re-enter Uganda. Once at the top, a well-deserved lunch awaits. You can then choose a long route (singletracks past a gold and marble mine) or a shorter route (a fast, flowing descent towards Moroto).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 98 km
Elevation: 1,080m ↑ / 540m ↓
Day 9: Thursday 5 November 2026 - Cycling from Moroto to Kotido
With only about 400 vertical metres, this is one of the flatter days, but at 109 kilometres, it is an impressively long stage. In the morning, you visit the inspiring Ride4GirlChild project. Then, the real cycling adventure begins through the vast Bokora Wildlife Reserve. The terrain is varied but technically undemanding. At the end of the day, you reach Kotido, where you visit the Shanita Project, an organisation dedicated to quality education for vulnerable children.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 109 km
Elevation: 400m ↑ / 590m ↓
Day 10: Friday 6 November 2026 - Cycling from Kotido to Kaabong
You start the day like the locals: with a bowl of warm, traditional porridge.
Long route (100km): Features rolling hard gravel roads, massive rock formations, and a crossing of an ancient elephant and buffalo migration route. After lunch, you tackle a spectacular 40-kilometre descent winding through a grand, empty landscape before climbing back up to lively Kaabong.
Short route: You take a car for the first section and cycle only the final, most beautiful 40-kilometre stretch.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 100 km (or 40 km)
Elevation: 1,040m ↑ / 720m ↓
Day 11: Saturday 7 November 2026 - Cycling from Kaabong to Timu
In the morning, you cycle past immense, massive rock formations. After about 20 kilometres, you head towards the Morungole mountain range, where the real climbing begins. Over the next 20 kilometres, you climb nearly 900 vertical metres via various singletracks until you reach the East African Rift escarpment at an altitude of around 2,000 metres. On the plateau, you visit the Ik community, one of Uganda’s smallest traditional tribes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping
Cycling distance: 82 km
Elevation: 1,170m ↑ / 760m ↓
Day 12: Sunday 8 November 2026 - Cycling from Timu to Kidepo
Waking up at a higher altitude is a wonderful relief. The route today is highly varied, going gradually up and down. In the final section, you tackle one last tough climb followed by a long descent with panoramic views over the Kidepo Valley. The last stretch takes you straight into Kidepo Valley National Park, guided by rangers for safety. You camp right in the middle of the national park!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping in Kidepo (guarded camp)
Cycling distance: 112 km
Elevation: 950m ↑ / 1,760m ↓
Day 13: Monday 9 November 2026 - Cycling safari in Kidepo Valley National Park
Do not be surprised if you wake up face-to-face with a herd of buffalo passing by the camp! Today you explore Kidepo National Park by bike. Accompanied by armed rangers and support vehicles, you will safely cycle among giraffes, elephants, buffalos, and perhaps even lions or cheetahs. In the evening, you conclude this extraordinary journey with a shared farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Lazy camping in Kidepo (guarded camp)
Cycling distance: 35 km
Elevation: 100m ↑
Day 14: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 - The end is in sight, transfer to Kampala
The end is in sight. You get into the car early in the morning for a long transfer back to Kampala. At the end of the day, you arrive at Yellow Haven, where you can let the journey sink in peacefully.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Yellow Haven
Day 15: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 - Rest day + flight home
Today you can sleep in and take it easy. You prepare your own bike for the flight and enjoy a relaxing day in the lodge’s garden or by the pool. After a shared farewell dinner, you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Yellow Haven
Day 16: Thursday, 12 November 2026 - Arriving home
Today you arrive home. The Tour of Karamoja is over. Time to reminisce about everything you experienced along the way.
Price info
Price Information
Have you become just as enthusiastic about this event through Uganda as we are? Then look below to see what is included in the price.
Included
All accommodation in double/twin rooms or tents (a solo traveller sleeps in their own tent)
All meals from day 2 up to and including breakfast on day 13 (excluding lunch on days 2 and 3)
Local transport and luggage transfer
Transfers to and from the airport
National park entrance fees
First aid/medical team
Snacks, water, and fresh fruit whilst cycling
Cycling jersey
Introductory ride in the Netherlands in September 2026 with other CvA travel participants (from 8 participants), otherwise an online meeting
$150.00 contribution for the girls of Karamoja
Excluded
International flight(s) - We advise flying with KLM (Amsterdam) or Brussels Airlines (Brussels) - ticket indication approximately €800.00
Single supplement: €40.00 per day (upon payment of this supplement, you will stay in a single room and private tent)
Bike transport on the international flight
Travel and cancellation insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic drinks and drinks during meals
Rental of Specialized mountain bike and helmet worth €400.00 (See 'our bikes' under the 'about us' tab for a detailed description of our bikes)
Rental of Specialized E-MTB & helmet worth €550.00 (See 'our bikes' under the 'about us' tab for a detailed description of our bikes)
East Africa visa (multiple-entry) - namely 2x border crossing into Kenya and back to Uganda
Massage service available during the event (to be booked on-site), indication €25.00 per half hour
Tip for event guides
Accommodation
Accommodations During the “Tour of Karamoja” Event
During the event, every night is spent at a different location, supporting and promoting local businesses along the route. What makes this event unique is that you will be staying at a ‘lazy campsite’. With our overnight stays, we support the local community in the long term. Sustainable tourism is something CvA travel gladly contributes to. Moreover, this contributes to employment within the areas we visit, where tourism enterprises play an increasingly important role.
Sleeping under the African starry sky
During this event, you stay close to nature. We use ‘community camps’ and special locations in the wilderness. Because you probably won’t feel like pitching your own tent after a long day of cycling, we use the concept of Lazy Camping. This means that upon arrival at the camp, everything is already ready for you. You sleep in a spacious two-person tent equipped with a real mattress and bedding. You simply drop your bag in the tent and head for a shower or dinner. It is camping with the comfort you need to recover properly for the next stage. The locations are often spectacular: imagine unzipping your tent in the morning and looking out over a valley as the sun rises over the mountains.
Lazy camping
This means that you are camping, but you do not have to pitch your own tent or cook. You sleep in spacious canvas dome tents with large windows on a real mattress. All these fully equipped camps, including toilets and showers, are taken care of down to the last detail, so you are completely unburdened and can simply enjoy your event. What you do need to bring yourself: a pillow, sleeping bag, towel, and toiletries.
Kalya Peace Village
This place is run by youths from the community, providing them with perfect educational and employment opportunities. Do you like playing football? Then this will probably be your favourite accommodation, as you can enjoy a local football match organised by the young people who run the place. If you are lucky, the team might even play against neighbouring countries. Lazy camping in the gardens of Kalya Peace Village.
Comboni Mission Namakuriat
This camp provides a truly authentic African experience (lazy camping). As the sun sets, under the acacia trees by the campfire, you share stories with fellow travellers. Far away from civilisation—so you can count on a bright starry sky—you will stay at this fantastic project.
Lazy camping at Kidepo
Lazy camping right in the middle of Kidepo Valley National Park. From the campsite, you have a fantastic view over the vast Narus Valley, the striking Mount Morungole, and even the mountain ranges of South Sudan.
Practical information
Fitness Level for the Tour of Karamoja
We indicate the required level with 4 dots and classify it as “fit”. The Tour is a sporting challenge covering quite a few kilometres. The terrain is demanding, as is the heat on certain sections of the Tour. If you are unsure about the difficulty, it is also possible to rent an e-MTB from us so that the Tour as a whole becomes less strenuous.
Practical Information
A good start is half the battle. In other words: check the list below so you hit the road well-prepared during your group cycling tour through Uganda. Below you will find a number of items that should not be missing from your suitcase. You will also find more information about the required clothing. Due to the warm temperatures in Uganda, we mostly cycle in short-sleeved/short-legged clothing. Let the anticipation begin!
Before your trip:
Passport valid for at least 6 months (with at least 2 adjacent blank pages)
Travel, cancellation, and medical insurance. Recommended “Flying Doctors” insurance (indication € 40.00)
Required vaccinations
Visa application (East Africa visa)
During the trip:
Pillow, sleeping bag, towel, and toiletries (for lazy camping)
1 lockable bag allowed during the trip (maximum 25kg)
MTB with tubeless tyres is mandatory, otherwise participation is not possible
Spare inner tubes (for emergencies)
100ml latex sealant
Puncture plugs
2 sets of brake pads
2 brake cables
Spare chain
Chain wax
Inner gear cable with metal nipple and end cap
Short-sleeved windbreaker jacket
Rain jacket
GPS
Separate arm and leg warmers
Helmet (not required if you rent our MTB / e-MTB)
Regular shoes with a good grip for cycling (no clipless pedal shoes)
Itching to set off on an extraordinary ride? Can’t wait to hop on the saddle and explore your dream destination at your own pace? Take a look at all our cycling journeys below – or get in touch to request a tailor-made adventure designed just for you.
