Mount Morungole

Morungole rises to around two thousand seven hundred metres on the southeastern edge of Kidepo Valley National Park, and its slopes are the home of the Ik, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Uganda, who moved up here when the valley below became a national park. Visits are made on foot from the park side, a hard climb of several hours, and are arranged through the park and the community. The mountain is regarded as sacred in Karamojong tradition.

What you actually see

• The climb - a hard walk of several hours from the park boundary to the villages.
• The Ik villages - settlements of one of the smallest communities in the country.
• The Kidepo view - the valley and the park spread out below the slopes.
• The mountain's status - a peak held sacred in local tradition.

When to go

June to September and December to March are the drier windows. Early starts are essential for the climb. It is hot on the lower slopes and cool at the top.

Honest expectations

The climb is genuinely hard, several hours steeply uphill in heat. Visits must be arranged through the park and the community rather than turning up. The Ik have been written about a great deal by outsiders and visits should be made on their terms.

Nearby

Kidepo Valley National Park is north, and Kaabong is south.