Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda, between the country’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. The park, which was gazetted in 1962, is 1,442 square kilometers in size and includes, among other things, woodland, open tree savannah grassland, and montane forest. More than 475 bird species and more than 77 mammalian species, including the big four of the big five, can be found at Kidepo Valley National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park’s attractions

More than 77 mammal species can be found in Kidepo Valley National Park, including zebras, lions, elephants, buffaloes, lions, aardwolves, cheetahs, aardwolves, caracals, giraffes, larger and smaller kudus, reedbucks, Guenthers Dik Dik, elands, klipspringer, Oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, side-striped jackals, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and more.

More than 475 bird species can be seen at Kidepo Valley National Park, including the pygmy falcon, white-bellied go-away bird, red-throated bee-eater, Jackson’s hornbill, black-breasted barbet, chestnut weaver, ostrich, Kori bustard, and red and yellow barbet.

Activities in the National Park of Kidepo Valley

Game drives

The most well-liked activity at Kidepo Valley National Park is game drives, which can be taken in the morning, afternoon, or evening. The park offers game drives in a number of locations, including the Narus Valley, where you can see large groups of animals, including buffaloes, zebras, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, cheetahs, waterbucks, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and hyenas, among others, congregating in the valley to drink water. In Kidepo National Park, game drives can also be held in Kidepo Valley, where you can see elands, kudus, leopards, cheetahs, reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, giraffes, and ostriches, among other animals.

Bird watching

The second-best birding site in Uganda after Queen Elizabeth National Park is Kidepo Valley National Park, which is home to over 475 known bird species, including migratory birds, endemic birds that are unique to Uganda, and near-endemic birds.

During the game drive or nature walk in Kidepo Valley National Park, one can observe birds. You will be escorted by a skilled bird guide who is familiar with various birding locations, such as Namamukwenyi Valley, Apoka Rest Camp, and Narus Valley, where you can see species such as the African grey flycatcher, Verreaux’s eagle, white-billed go-away bird, black-breasted barbet, red-billed oxpecker, black coucal, pygmy falcon, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Karamoja apalis, excellent starling, Egyptian vulture, purple grenadier, Ethiopian swallow, crimred rumped waxbill, little green bee-eater, long-tailed nightjar, four banded sand grouse, and chestnut-crowned sparrow weaver, among others.

Cultural excursions

A fascinating activity that allows you to engage with the locals, such as the Karamajong, Lorukul village, and IK people who reside in nearby villages, is the cultural tour in Kidepo Valley National Park. You can visit their traditional homesteads, also called Manyattas, learn how to make traditional items like beads, stools, bows, arrows, and spears, discover their bride price, take in their traditional entertainment in the form of dances and songs, purchase handcrafted souvenirs, and learn more about their culture, traditions, and way of life during the cultural tour.

Hiking and nature walks

In Kidepo Valley National Park, the nature walk is a fascinating and thrilling activity that allows you to leave the comfort of your safari vehicle and explore the park on foot while being accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed park officer to keep you safe. In the morning or evening guided nature walk, you will follow various hiking trails to Narus Valley, where you will see buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, zebras, and warthogs, as well as trails to Lamoj Mountains, Idi Amin’s Dream Lodge, and Morungole Mountains, where you will meet and interact with the IK people. You will also follow hiking trails to Namamukweny Valley, where you will see the stunning scenery, among other places. Among other things, you will see several bird species, take in the refreshing breeze, listen to the lovely sounds of birdsong in the woods, unwind, and breathe clean air during the guided nature walk.

Where to stay in Kidepo Valley National Park while on safari

You can spend your safari at any of the several lodging options in Kidepo Valley National Park. Campsites, mid-range, budget, and luxury lodging options are available, including Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, Nga-Moru Wilderness Camp, Apoka Rest Camp, and Adere Safari Lodge.

When to go to the National Park of Kidepo Valley

Kidepo Valley National Park is open year-round, although the best time to come is in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, which is the dry season. Access roads and hiking routes will be passable during the dry season because the national park receives little to no rainfall. Additionally, the foliage will be sparse, allowing for clear views of the animals.

Accessing the National Park of Kidepo Valley

The north-eastern region of Uganda is home to Kidepo Valley National Park, which is reachable by air and road.

When using road transport, there are a number of routes you can take. For instance, you can travel from Kampala to the park headquarters via Mbale, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong, which takes roughly 12 hours.

It takes almost 13 hours to drive from Kampala, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong to the park headquarters.

It takes roughly ten hours to drive from Kampala, Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum, and Kidepo National Park.

It takes roughly 12 hours to drive from Kampala, Karuma, Lira, Kotido, and Kaabong reach the park headquarters.

Using air transport entails scheduling scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Apoka Airport or Kidepo Airport. Your tour operator can arrange flights to Kidepo National Park.