Hello,
With 2 or 3 nights in the area, I imagine one will be for Kaabong after Kidepo. Then possibly one near Kidepo and one in Moroto, or two in Moroto, depending on what you have planned.
Between Kidepo and Moroto, there’s the Lokichar River Camp where you can spend a night. The owner has big ambitions and can take you to see the site where he plans to develop activities near the river. You cross a protected savanna area where you might spot antelopes or ostriches... At his camp, there’s a beautiful view of the plain. The camp is in the middle of nowhere, and you can pitch a tent (I don’t know if he rents them out). You can also have a Karamojong meal or more familiar dishes. I’m not sure how long this place will last since it’s in a really remote spot, but if it’s still there, it could be a nice stop.
Hikes are definitely possible, as are visits. Honestly, without a guide, it seems pretty tricky. Not impossible, but not easy—few people speak English in the manyattas or the bush, so it’s hard to understand what’s going on. But I found the people very welcoming and happy to have visitors, so nothing’s impossible. It might also be good to get some info on the security situation at the sites before heading there (especially if there’s been a recent raid by thieves, for example).
I’ve been to quite a few manyattas and more remote kraals where livestock is kept when crops limit grazing near the villages, but I didn’t note all the names. In any case, everywhere was super interesting and culturally rich.
For hikes, it’s still best to be accompanied and organized. There’s Mount Moroto, but that takes several days. There are also things near the Iks, the community that was forcibly expelled from Kidepo and left quite vulnerable, etc. On Mount Moroto, I went for a walk twice on my own, just with my little backpack, water, and some snacks, and it was really nice—but just for the day. The view is amazing once you climb above the first rocky ridge.
Happy planning!
