Offering a real African wilderness Experience, Kidepo valley National Park is one of the few places in Africa that will offer the raw safari experience you desire in an African National Park. This 144200-hectared Protected Area lies in the extreme northeastern side of Uganda and is renowned for its authentic wilderness experiences. The stunning safari destination is hidden in Kaabong district, a stone’s throw from the Ugandan border with Kenya and South Sudan. Its landscape is marked by Rock kopjes, rolling hills, sweeping savannah plains and verdant Valleys. Kidepo was first gazetted as a Game Reserve in 1958 by the colonial government before becoming a National Park in 1962 (the same year Uganda gained its Independence).
Spectacular attractions within Kidepo Valley National Park
Wide array of Wildlife
More than 77 mammal species call Kidepo Valley National Park home, and these include species (like cheetahs, striped hyenas, Caracals, gazelles and Kudus) that aren’t found in the popular and most-visited National parks in the country. Other animals you can expect in this Park are African bush elephants, spotted hyenas, Reedbucks, lions, Uganda Kobs, leopards, zebras, Rothschild giraffes, bat-ear fox, giant eland, Defassa water bucks, Oryx, duikers, Jackson’s Hartebeests, reedbucks, jackals, roan antelopes, impalas and Oribis among others.
Bird species
Over 475 bird species are found in the varying natural habitats in Kidepo valley national Park and they include Abyssinian rollers, white-bellied go-away bird, Egyptian vultures, African Moustached francolins, Northern carmine bee-eater, black-breasted barbet, Eastern pale chanting goshawks, Jackson’s hornbills, Karamoja Apalis, pygmy falcon, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Kori bustard, Verreaux’s eagles, yellow necked spur fowl, white bellied bustard, red-throated bee-eaters, ostriches (the only Park you can see these huge birds, African grey flycatchers, the yellow rumped seed-eaters, superb starling, and many others
The breathtaking Kanangorok hot springs
Set in the Northern end of Kidepo Valley National Park close to Kidepo River, the Kanangorok hot springs boil at 50 degrees Celsius. This stunning site sits on an area that overlooks mountain ranges.
Namamukweny Valley
In Northwestern side of Kidepo Valley National Park is Namamukweny Valley. The name Namamukweny means “lonely place” in the Napore dialect and is known for its wide array of birds. The Abyssinian roller, the green wood hoopoe, common bulbul and eastern paradise whydah are also common within this Valley.
Mount Morungole
In the southern edge of Kidepo valley National Park is Mount Morungole with an altitude of 2750 meters and known for offering shelter to the IK people.
Safari activities offered in/or around Kidepo Valley National Park
Game drives
Game drives are the most popular safari activities in Kidepo Valley National Park, where visitors are rewarded with breathtaking sights of lions, giant elands, Defassa waterbucks, cheetahs, impalas, Klipspringers, Kudus, leopards, elephants, lions, striped hyenas, jackals, Jackson’s hartebeests, Rothschild giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, cape buffaloes, gazelles, Reedbucks, to mention but a few.
Guided bush walks
Bush walks are the best way to explore areas that can’t be reached via game drives and are done on-foot with an experienced park ranger guide. Unmissable areas for these walks are the wildlife-filled Kidepo Valley, Lamoj Hills, Kanangorok Hot Springs, Narus Valley and many others. By walking through the Namamukweny Valley, expect lots of bird species that include Abyssinian rollers, green wood hoopoe, eastern paradise whydah, common bulbul, to mention but a few.
Birding Tours
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the top birding spots in Uganda known for sights of African grey flycatchers, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Ethiopian vulture, Nubian woodpeckers, Kori bustard, ostriches, orange-winged pytilia, yellow-billed shrikes, Clapperton’s francolins, standard winged nightjars, crimson rumped waxbill, Eastern pale chanting goshawk, broad-tailed warblers, black breasted barbet, superb starling, scarlet-chested sunbird, Little green bee-eaters, and so much more.
Karamojong cultural visit
The Karamojong culture visit is another popular activity offered around Kidepo valley national Park and this allows travelers to immerse themselves in the rich cultures and traditions of this nomadic tribe. Learn about their traditional foods, unique homesteads (Manyattas), exceptional traditional dressing and symbols.
When is the best time of the year to visit Kidepo Valley National Park?
While Kidepo Valley National Park experiences 2 seasons each year, the dry seasons are longer than wet seasons in this semi-arid safari destination. The dry season in June, July, August, September, December, February and March received less rains thus few watering points are left in the Park and grasses are shorter thus offering remarkable game viewing experiences. Also, game tracks are drier hence easier to navigate through the Narus and the Kidepo Valley areas during game drives. The wet season- April, May, October and November are marked by increased precipitation levels hence game tracks are muddy and difficult to navigate. Also, grasses become taller this difficult to spot wildlife species.
Where to stay
Kidepo Valley National Park has few accommodation facilities and they range from budget, midrange to luxury options. These include Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, Apoka Rest Camp, Kidepo Savanna Lodge, and several Campsites that offers real African wilderness experiences.
Getting to Kidepo valley National Park
Located in Northeastern Uganda,Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the remotest safari destinations in the country and is about 521 kilometers from the Capital and about 10-12 hours’ drive with a 4WD Safari Vehicle. The easier way to get to this Safari destination is by chartered or scheduled flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kidepo/or Apoka airstrip and this flight takes about one hour and forty minutes to 2 hours.