Mount Moroto Forest Reserve- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Mount Moroto Forest Reserve in northeastern Uganda spans roughly 483 km² along the Eastern Rift Valley, rising to an elevation of about 3,083 m at Sokodek Peak. Its slopes transition from arid thorn-bush savannas at the base to dry montane forests and Afro-montane grasslands higher up, creating a mosaic of habitats that harbor over 220 bird species, vervet monkeys, baboons, rock hyrax, forest genets, and even the elusive African golden cat. Natural springs emerge from the mountain's interior, forming streams that support both wildlife and local Karamojong/Morobonja communities, some of whom are engaged in irrigated farming with support from the World Food Programme. For travelers, the reserve offers day hikes such as the St. Lawrence Waterfall Trail—climbing 600 m over 5–6 hours—and multi‑day treks to Imagit Peak or Sokodek with camping and sweeping views across Karamoja into Kenya. Gasps of misty forests, granite tors, and vibrant birdlife—Doherty's bushshrike, hornbills, pygmy‑kingfishers—appear en route. The mountain also holds deep ancestral significance for the Tepeth (Soo) people, whose villages and sacred groves dot the slopes; culturally immersive experiences include visits to traditional homesteads, participation in harvest rituals, storytelling, and traditional music and crafts.