REMARKABLE 5 DAYS IN THE EAST

Photo: A group photo taken during the game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park 

A month ago I joined a group of travel enthusiasts on a 5 Days trip dubbed 5 Days in the East organized by Travoo Africa.  I must confess this was the longest trip I have ever been on besides work.  The fares of this trip were beyond belief for a trip of that caliber.  Personally, it took me days to believe in this trip but a couple of travel influencers I knew as “credible” were on it, and because of that, I gave them a benefit of the doubt. As a tour consultant, I know how much a trip of that kind would cost, slightly higher than what was charged.

So I signed up for this trip on the eve of setting off through Sheevon popularly known as Mukiga Traveller after viewing a flyer on her WhatsApp status with the caption “2 slots left.” At that moment I was at the floating Restaurant at UWEC having lunch after the Wildlife Day 2022 Celebrations. Quickly I replied to her status; “I’m tempted to join.”

“It’s gonna be fun” She replied!

“Are the slots still available?” I asked.

“Yes, I have 2 slots” She replied!

“Reserve for me one,” I said.

“Payment is needed ASAP to finalize bookings,” She said

“Let me send you the money right away” I replied. And I sent her the money. That’s how I signed up for the 5 Days trip in the East. The trip I say I was never ready for but after seeing that flyer quickly I made a decision which most Ugandans do by the way while booking trips. We never book in advance. We’re just influenced by our peers. Furthermore, I didn’t know the details of this trip but I got to know the details after I had made payments. Something risible isn’t it? But this was because of the overconfidence I had in the person I was booking through.

So that evening I was added to the WhatsApp group created, and the Itinerary and other details of the trip were shared. I read through, to understand well the kind of trip I had signed up for and the Itinerary. The Itinerary showed we were to visit 3 Major destinations in those 5 Days (4^th – 8^th March 2022) were; Sipi Falls, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and Kidepo Valley National Park. This was enough to excite me and looked forward to this trip. I packed my bags that evening to get prepared for the 5 Days in the East. Packing wasn’t hard for me because as a frequent traveler I know what shouldn’t miss while packing for any trip. Soon I will write about what you shouldn’t miss always while packing for a trip/vacation.  Just keep following closely.

DAY 1 FRIDAY 4 MARCH 2022 - TRAVELLING TO SIPI FALLS 

Photo: At the departure point being briefed before we set off 

On the dawn of this day, my bags were well packed and I was ready to hit the road. The departure on this day was 9:00am and the meeting point was at Uganda Museum that’s where the UWA buses which we used were parked. And I made sure by 8:30am I was at the said pick-up point.  But your guess is good as mine we never left at 9:00am and that makes a typical Domestic trip. Lol! Timekeeping is always a challenge except for a few of us who really mind timekeeping like me as a tour operator absolutely I have to keep time. We finally set off a few minutes past 10am and we headed for Kapchorwa. Our first stopover was in Namawojjo, a famous stopover on the eastern route. Well known for Roasted Chicken and Plantain, Rolex and Roasted Goats' meat, Beef and Drinks plus other merchandise. A stopover here is always a must or Najjembe is another similar place for Nyama Choma.

Photo: Road Side Traders at Namawojjolo exchanging items for cash with the travelers.  Photo by: Travoo Africa 

After here we proceeded to Jinja where we made a stopover and later to Mbale for a lunch break and quick shopping for snacks, drinks, and other merchandise to use because where we were headed some things were hard to get in some of these places. We later proceeded to Sipi and had a stopover at another famous spot Towei viewpoint a perfect place for photoshoots and sunset views if you arrive at the point between 6:30pm and 7:00pm. 

Pictorial: Stopover and Photo Moment at Towei View Point in Kapchorwa. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo Africa

We proceeded to our respective lodges for dinner and overnight stay. Around 3 Lodges were booked; Casa Lodge, Sipi Guest House, and Sipi Valley Resort. I personally slept at Sipi Valley Resort one of the best Lodges in Sipi strategically located with great views. Dinner was served and a party was later staged at the Resort. Day 1 was absolutely amazing, the travelers were full of vibe, and silent disco headsets were given to everyone. Retiring was at will.

 

Photo: Party Mood activated. Travelers having a good time at Sipi Valley Resort. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo Africa 

DAY 2 SATURDAY 05^th MARCH 2022 - HIKING AND ABSEILING AT SIPI FALLS 

 Having had a beautiful night and morning breakfast at 9am at Sipi Valley Resort, we were ready for the day’s activities. The major activities for this day were hiking to the falls and Abseiling for those who were brave and had resources for the activity. Our Guide William Cheptoek who was our official guide was ready to lead us on the Hike. The Sun was out and really scorching by 9am. We divided ourselves into manageable groups and each group had a guide. We began the hike at 10:30am (us who wished to hike) while others went for abseiling straight without doing the hike. I did both Hiked and Abseiled. The scorching sun was a blessing in disguise and cooling our bodies was a must by getting soaked at the waterfalls. This was one of the best experiences. The experience is totally different when you visit Sipi in the wet season. The place is boggy and cold, the water volumes are high and waterfall roars are heard Kms away. On my last visit to Sipi Falls, I froze after being soaked.

Photo: At the 65M waterfall getting soaked in Water

After visiting the falls we went swimming at one of the natural swimming pools. You would wonder what this looks like. It’s such a beautiful plunge pool with shallow and deep ends and rocks. Not so wide but you can have a good swim, definitely. This was another cooling place for our bodies after a long walk. Our time was fast spent and we had to go for abseiling were the big team was at the moment.

Photo: Me pausing for the Photo in the Plunge Pool during the swimming 

We got to the abseiling point, with my group after the 4hours walk that was charged up with amazing experiences and we were ready for another challenge. Of course not all the 70 of us. But some of us who were brave enough. I did abseil for the second time courtesy of Mulima Mountain Adventures. Not like the first time this was a totally different experience. I was brave enough to do the activity. I was meant to do it with Faith a friend I met on this particular trip but I couldn’t believe it that she started feeling panicky and breathless after she began to descend. I had to descend alone.  This climaxed in Day 2 activities. We hiked again to the Resort, and this was a real Hike the elevation was about 2,000m asl, and a distance of about 2kms trek. Forget about the morning hike, I could feel my legs get feeble but I had to hike anyway to the resort. There was no alternative route nearer than the one we hiked the only solution was to endure and hike.

Photo: A team of Travelers charged up for Abseiling. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo

Photo: At the 110M Abseiling point. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo Africa

DAY 3 SUNDAY 06^th MARCH 2022 - TRAVELLING TO KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK THROUGH PIAN UPE WILDLIFE RESERVE

On day 3, we began our day with morning breakfast at 6:30am and checked out at our respective Lodges, and transferred from Sipi at 7am to Kidepo Valley National Park through Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. This was a long journey of 407kms on a bumpy and dusty road of Kween, Namalu, Nakapiripiriti, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaboong. It was such an awesome experience of its own.

We arrived at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Headquarters at 9am where we had a stopover for a few minutes, and took photos before we proceeded to Moroto. 

A group photo at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Headquater in Kween District. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo Africa 

We later drove to Moroto for a quick lunch and refueling of the Buses before we embarked on another 229Kms to Kidepo our final destination. Lunch was skimpy due to the limited time we had. My lunch was a Rolex and I enjoyed it. Lol! The Journey was tedious and amazing at the same time. We arrived in Kidepo at 5:30pm and drove to Apoka Bandas. Our evening was lit up, Campfire, and a silent disco for the travelers was set up.

Arrival at Apoka Bandas in Kidepo Valley National Park 

DAY 4 MONDAY 07^th MARCH 2022 - GAME DRIVE AND COMMUNITY VISIT 

A beautiful morning it was on this day, with a beautiful sunrise in the true African Wilderness at 6:30am – we started off our game drive in the Narus Valley.  

Photo: Beautiful Sunrise in Kidepo Valley National taken during the Morning Game Drive by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo 

A number of wild animals were sighted, the Elephants, Buffalos, Giraffes, Jackson’s heartbeast, and a Lion. This Lion was guarding a kill. Presumably, they must have hunted the previous night according to our ranger guide. He also told us, he (the Lion) was just guarding the Kill against other animals like the Hyenas to snatch it, and probably the other Lions and Lionesses in the pride had gone to look for water.

Photo: A Lion lying on the ground while guarding a kill from other predators in Kidepo Valley National Park. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo 

The game drive ended around 10:00am and headed to one of the campsites for site seeing and photo moments. And returned back to the bandas for breakfast at 11am and later lunch at 1:00pm

At 4pm we headed for Lorokol Community, a neighboring community adjusting the park. This community supports conservation and works together with UWA to conserve and protect the park. We had a wonderful cultural experience with the Karamojong community. Their cultural dance known as Edonga Dance is really amazing. This dance is involving jumping high in the air from the ground repeatedly.  And we headed to the camp for an overnight stay. We participated in the dance because it's participatory. As visitors, you must fully engage in the dance. After the amazing cultural dance, a team handed over a few items and money collected from travelers. This money is used in improving the social services and facilities in the Village. 

Photo: A Local Tourist participating in Edonga Dance during the Community Visit in Lorokol Village Karenga District 

Photo: A team from Travoo with a ranger guide (In UWA uniform) handing over items to the community leaders that they carried during the community visit in Lorokol Village. Photo by Travoo 

DAY 5 TUESDAY 08^th MARCH 2022 - TRAVELLING BACK TO KAMPALA ENROUTE ARUU FALLS 

This was our last day of the 5 Days in the East and we had to say bye-bye to the True African Wilderness as it is normally referred and we headed for Aruu Falls. We had breakfast as early as 6:30am before we left for Aruu falls in Pader District. A journey of approximately 3hr30mins without any disturbances on the road. On arrival, we were shocked by the water levels, not the usual Aruu Falls that flows rapidly, with much volumes of water, this time the water was scant, as some of us who have been there during the rainy seasons we couldn’t believe our eyes. We visited the falls during the dry season, the sun was scorching and there was no better way of cooling our body temperatures except by diving in the water. We dived in the waters and one of the pools at Aruu Falls to cool our body temperatures. We couldn't have any best feeling after walking through the scorching sun. Our bodies needed to cool down. However not all that swam. Just a few of us who were interested and had swimming wear that did

Photo: Me at Aruu Falls cooling off. 

Photo: Travelers having a wonderful time in the pool at Aruu Falls. Photo by Derrick Ssenyonyi | Travoo 

This was the climax of our trip after here we couldn't demand anything more all we need was food now to seal off the day. We drove to Gulu for Lunch and thereafter headed back for Kampala.