We had an amazing tour booking from World Traveler Tomas, who is unique and dedicated. He is from the Czech Republic, and his job is actually traveling. Tomas was on a 5-year trip. By the time he landed in Gulu with his 4x4 car, he had been on tour for 3 years. He had been on tour for 6 months. According to stories got from our Tour Guide Akena Simon Peter, Tomas said he specializes in making documentaries. He creates travel movies and videos. He sells them to some top movie companies in his country under his personal brand Expedice ZO1. These videos and photos are from various destinations he has visited. He has been to various continents. His goal is to visit all countries across the globe.
He landed in Gulu after visiting South Sudan, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. He was heading to South Africa, Australia, and South America. He planned to return to his country after finishing the 1 and a half years left of his 5-year trip.
Tomas narrated that he travels using his car only. If he is crossing to other countries with ocean and sea barriers, he first ships the car by container. The car is transported by water/ship to the next travel destination over several weeks. During this time, he engages in other activities. He engages in other tour activities. He also explores the current location. When Tomas was in South Africa, he first shipped his 4X4 Car to South America. He continued to visit amazing attractions in South Africa.
Companies that do item transfers from South Africa to South America include the following;
Traveling from Czech Republic to Gulu, Uganda with Grime Safaris
In Gulu, Uganda, Grime Safaris is the only Tour Operator in Gulu offering Gulu City Walking Tours, Mt Gorilla Tours, Wildlife Tours to Kidepo Valley and Murchison's Falls are available. Additionally, Fort Patiko and Aruu Falls Tours are offered by Grime Safaris.
Gulu Cathedral,Gulu
Gulu Cathedral was built between 1931-1945, it is a 5,000 Seater Capacity.
Acholi Village Tour
Acholi Traditional Dancers with Tomas-World Traveler during Acholi Tour with Grime Safaris
Gulu Cathedral Visit
Above is the 4X4 Car Tomas was using for his 5 Year Trip when he visited Gulu with Grime Safaris.
Gulu City and Acholi Tour Experiences we did with Tomas and his Friend Sophia include;
Gulu City Tour Places that we visited include;
Gulu Cathedral Visit with Grime Safaris
The 5,000-Seater Church was built between 1931-1945 by the Comboni brothers with help from Acholi Christians. The ricks for the church were transported by hand from a far location next to Gulu Airstrip Ooitino Dam where the brick was made.
Gulu Cathedral, Gulu church also has a tomb for 2 archbishops that served in Gulu Archdiocese – Bishop Angelo Negri and Bishop Cyprian Kihangire and all of them have schools in their memory.
Next to the church lies different Catholic institutions that were created after the development from the Cathedral as the mother church for Gulu Archdiocese like; Mary Immaculate Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School named after the church, Bishop’s Residence only a few step to the church, St Daniel Comboni Animation Center, Sacred Heart Girls Secondary School, Mother Anguletta Nursery and Primary School, Chris the King Demonstration School and Teacher’s College, Sacred Heart University Gulu former Catechist Training Center, Bishop Angelo Negri Primary School and Bishop Angelo College.
Tomas and Sophia managed to get inside to see the architectural design of the church, the tombs of the two bishops and the seal of Pope John II visit in Gulu in 1993 June to mark remembrance of his visit.
Layibi Old Railway Station Visit, Gulu
After visit to Gulu Cathedral we proceeded to Layibi Old Railway Station, a ruin just at the heart of Gulu City.
The East African Railway System was functional from Kenya, Tanzania then to Uganda from Eastern Uganda – Soroti – Tororo where there is Cement factory, Northern Uganda then proceeding to great North to South Sudan- Egypt up to Mediterranean Sea up to Great Britain and USA.
During Colonial types when Uganda was under British rule, they created a law that forced the masses to cultivate some cash crops like, Tobacco and Cotton for the case of Northern Uganda and Eastern Uganda, Coffee for Central Uganda. After making these possible they also planned for ways of transporting these agricultural inputs to their homeland and markets in Europe and America. Eastern Uganda has minerials that were used to make cement, all those needed transport system to support that.
The Railway in Gulu last passed in August 1987 when the Lord Resistance Army had just taken 1 year because it affected economic activities plus other sectors of the government from functioning well including Education.
After visiting Layibi Old Railway Station with Grime Safaris we proceeded to Acholi Village for Acholi Cultural Tour after the brief Gulu City Tour
The Drive from Gulu City to Acholi Village we were heading to takes at least 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach just as they say good things are not easy to get.
Activities we did during the Acholi Tour include;
Visit Gulu City and Acholi Villages with Grime Safaris Today
Acholi Traditional Dances, Gulu
Acholi Cultural Dances performed included; Dingi Dingi Dance, Larakaraka Dance, Bwola Dance, Ajere Dance and Apitti
Acholi Dances normally shows the power of tradition passed through generations and how the Acholi people in Gulu, Northern Uganda pass their leisure time accordingly.
Acholi Pottery Experience, Gulu
Clay moulding Experience resulted into making of various materials e.g; Cooking Pots, Bowl and Jars
Acholi Basketry Experience, Gulu
Raw Materials used for making baskets by Acholi include; grass and Borassus palm leaves. Acholi baskets include; Odero, Aduku, Ogwara e.t.c
Acholi Culinary Experience, Gulu
Acholi Cuisines prepared include; Boo, Malakwang, Lakotokoto and Dek Ngo
We left Acholi Village, Gulu District at around 4:30pm for Gulu City
End of Tour