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Kidepo Valley National Park at a Glance
Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s remote wilderness gem, nestled in the captivating landscapes of rugged hills and sprawling savannah plains, with unique wildlife that mostly goes unnoticed. Herds of dark buffalo occupy the grassland and make this great park one of Africa’s most picturesque safari destinations.
About Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the remote northeast corner of Uganda, adjacent to Kidepo Game Reserve in South Sudan. It sprawls over an area of 1,442 square kilometres (557 sq mi) reflecting a true wilderness feel with rugged savannah, dominated by the 2,750 metre (9,020 ft) Mount Morungole.
The transecting Kidepo and Narus seasonal rivers create an impressive sanctuary for exceptional animal sightings and bird watching. It is situated 700 kilometres north of Kampala, between the borders of South Sudan and Uganda, and is just a 5-kilometer drive from the eastern border with Kenya.
Kidepo Valley is home to a profusion of big game, which includes over 77 mammal species. Kidepo is barely visited but the few that make the long trip through the wild northern region of Karamoja would undisputedly agree with its magnificence. No wonder! It is considered Africa’s finest wilderness. The savannah landscape stretches far beyond the gazetted area.
During dry seasons, the park is usually watered by wetlands and permanent pools in the broad Narus Valley near Apoka. These seasonal oases, combined with the open, savannah terrain, make the Narus Valley the park’s main game viewing spot, especially with its dense populations of buffaloes, elephants, and many similar ungulates.
Attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park
1. Animals
Common animal sightings in Kidepo Valley National Park include herds of elephants, buffalos, Rothschild’s giraffe, a considerable number of lions and cheetahs. Notable antelope species include the greater and lesser kudus, mountain reedbucks, Guenther’s dik-dik, Jackson’s hartebeest, eland, bushbuck, common duiker, klipspringer, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, and bohor reedbuck.
Other common predators are the caracal, aardwolf, side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, leopard, genet, mongoose, bat-eared fox, and many small cats. The spotted patas monkey is a commonly sighted primate while Burchell’s zebras, warthogs, and bushpigs are also present.
2. Birds
A bird checklist confirms 463 species fly around Kidepo National Park, with about sixty species not recorded in any other park in the country but around the north-eastern wilderness. This bird population is second only to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kidepo Valley is particularly rich in raptors, with 56 species recorded, including the dark-chanting goshawk, pygmy falcon, tawny eagle, bataleur eagle, and many types of vultures.
Other colorful Kidepo specials birders can effortlessly tick off their list include the common Ostrich, secretary bird, northern carmine bee eater, kori bustard, white-bellied go-away bird, Abyssinian roller, black-breasted barbets, red-billed, Jackson’s hornbills, Karamoja Apalis and many more colourful and visible species.
Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park
1. Game Viewing
A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park during the prolonged hot, dry season will offer you the most consistent wildlife viewing opportunities. During the hot, dry season, animals migrate south from the semi-arid Kidepo Valley to find greenery in the swamps and remnant pools along the seasonal Narus channel. Game viewing in this region is richly rewarding.
The best game tracks in Kidepo Valley are Kakine, Katurum, and Nagusokopire game circuits. These trails meander around the Narus Valley and allow travelers to explore the wildlife-rich areas of the valley. Although the Kidepo Valley tracks are not as rewarding as the Narus, the Kidepo River is worth exploring.
2. Birding
Bird watching is definitely one of the major activities carried out in Kidepo Valley National Park given the wide variety of bird species, both resident and migratory. Bird watching is usually carried out in the areas of Apoka Rest Camp, around the fringes of Narus Valley, or Namamkwenyi Valley with the help of an experienced resident ranger guide.
3. Hiking and Nature walks
Nature walks are the best opportunities to explore Kidepo Valley’s spectacular vistas. The park offers two rewarding hiking and nature walks to visitors. The most popular one is the short three-mile (2–3 hr.) guided walk through Narus Valley.
On this walk, visitors can experience the valley’s abundance of wildlife against the backdrop of striking vistas. The Narus Valley river trail offers excellent birding opportunities for avid birders.
For an extensive exploration of the park, you can take the nine-mile route that follows the ridgeline into the rugged slopes. You can also explore the gorgeous Borassus palm-covered Kidepo river valley and the Kanangorok hot springs on this trail.
4. Cultural tours
The Karamojong tribe is one of the most remote people in Uganda who have not embraced modernization. They are the main local community inhabiting the area around Kidepo Valley. Their fascinating cultural practices infused with dance and folklore is worth experiencing.
On your way from Moroto to Kidepo, you can make a brief stop at Nakapelimoru to experience the local culture. It is the largest traditional village in East Africa with the largest cattle auction market in the region.
Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park
The best time to visit Kidepo Valley is immediately after the rainy season from September to November and through the long dry season from December to March when most of the wildlife gather around the Narus valley.
The wet months of April to August are pleasantly less hot with lush and green vegetation and crisp air. Bird watching is excellent at this time, as it is easy to spot migratory birds.
Generally, although wildlife viewing may be easier in the dry season, the wet months will still allow you to see a decent number of animals.
Kidepo does not share the same weather conditions as the rest of Uganda; it has only one rainy season between April and August. So, you’ll most likely find very few visitors any time of the year.
Getting to Kidepo Valley National Park
The best way to get to Kidepo Valley is by scheduled or chartered flight. However, it is also possible to drive to Kidepo. There are several routes. The most direct route is a 10-hour drive through Gulu to Lokumoit Gate.
The long trip is usually broken up with an overnight stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary after a rhino tracking excursion, Gulu or Kitgum. Two longer routes pass through the remote Karamoja subregion, arriving at Nataba Gate.
Flights between parks are usually scheduled by tour operators and are arranged as part of a safari package. Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is Uganda’s international entry point, which is near the town of Entebbe and 46 km/29 mi from the capital, Kampala.
Where to stay in Kidepo Valley National Park
Apoka Safari Lodge is by far the best accommodation facility in Kidepo Valley. This pioneer high-end accommodation option is located on a picturesque kopje overlooking the Narus valley in the south-western sector of the park.
Rooms are well designed to offer a relaxed classic safari feel, breath-taking views of the savannah, and a private wildlife experience from the privacy of your veranda.
Other cheaper options available are Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, and Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, although none of them can match the classic wilderness elegance of Apoka Safari Lodge.
