Kidepo Valley National Park with diversity of wildlife species such as the African bush elephants, lions, Rothschild giraffes, spotted hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, antelopes

Kidepo Valley National Park is by far one of the most outstanding safari destinations that is worth exploring on Uganda safari, especially if you are interested in unusual experiences. This park is set in the extreme Northeast-Karamoja region just within the rugged, semi-arid valley between borders with South Sudan and Kenya, approximately 700kms away from Kampala capital city. Kidepo National Park was established in 1962 and it extends to about 1442sq.kms which makes it Uganda’s third largest national park. It straddles at elevation of about 914 and 2750 meters, comprising of two scenic and seasonal rivers; the Narus and Kidepo River.

Kidepo National Park consists of a vast savanna grassland, with bits of forest cover around River Lorupei especially acacia forest. In the park, there are some hills, inselbergs as well as rocky outcrops that make this park a distinct Uganda safari destination. It is surrounded by mostly the pastoral Karamojong people whose lifestyle is more like that of the Maasai of Kenya and the IK who spend more of their time on Mount Morungole.

Wildlife in Kidepo Valley National Park
A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park while on Uganda safari allows you to explore diversity of wildlife species that are confined in this off-beaten wilderness area making it the best wildlife safari destination. This park boasts of its unusual vast savanna sceneries offering the best of Africa’s wilderness compared to any park in East Africa. Visitors on Uganda wildlife safari in Kidepo National Park have a chance to see wildlife species such as the African bush elephants, lions, Rothschild giraffes, spotted hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, antelopes (bush bucks, duikers elands, defassa waterbucks, bohor reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, Oribis); bat eared fox, cheetahs, zebras, black backed jackals, side striped jackals, dik-dik, primates especially the Kavirondo bush babies.

Bird species in Kidepo National Park
Kidepo National Park inhabits about 475 bird species making it second birding safari destination with huge concentration of bird species. The bird species to identify while on Uganda birding tour in this park include the Karamoja apalis, black breasted barbet; at Apoka Rest Camp and park headquarters which overviews the southern Narus Valley offers the best birding spot.

Other birds to look for while on birding safari in Kidepo National Park include the Nubian woodpecker, scarlet chested sunbird, little weaver, Vinaceous dove, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Abyssinian roller, Clapperton’s francolin, purple heron, red cheeked cordon bleu, broad tailed warblers, African moustached, marsh Tchagra, ostriches, fox kestrel, pygmy falcon, African swallow tailed kite, stone partridge, Kori, white bellied and Hartlaub’s bustards, violet tipped courser, white bellied go away bird, white faced scoops owl, long tailed and standard winged nightjars, red fronted and black breasted barbets, little green bee eater, red winged lark, African grey flycatcher, white bellied tit, mouse colored penduline tit, superb starling, eastern violet backed, pygmy and beautiful sunbirds to mention but a few.

Activities to do in Kidepo National Park

Game drives
Game drives in Kidepo National Park are best conducted with a trained park ranger. The Narus Valley and Kidepo valley drive offer the best game viewing experience to visitors on Uganda wildlife safari in Kidepo Valley National Park. Along the Narus valley game drive in the southern side of the park, you will look for buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, elands, lions among others while on Kidepo valley drive, you will come across ostriches, secretary birds among others. It is an exceptional track with breathtaking scenery and takes you to Kanangorok hot springs while enjoying the unique landscape. Other wildlife to see on a game drive in Kidepo National Park include bush bucks, duikers, oribis, leopards, bush pigs, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, zebras.

Birding
Kidepo Valley National Park is a perfect birding spot in Uganda. For enthusiastic birders, the birds to identify in this park include the Karamoja apalis, black breasted barbet, Nubian woodpecker, African moustached, marsh Tchagra, ostriches, fox kestrel, pygmy falcon, African swallow tailed kite, stone partridge, scarlet chested sunbird, little weaver, Vinaceous dove, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Abyssinian roller, Clapperton’s francolin, purple heron, red cheeked cordon bleu, broad tailed warblers, Kori, white bellied and Hartlaub’s bustards, violet tipped courser, white bellied go away bird, white faced scoops owl, long tailed and standard winged nightjars, red fronted and black breasted barbets, little green bee-eater, red winged lark, African grey flycatcher, white bellied tit, mouse colored penduline tit, superb starling, eastern violet backed, pygmy and beautiful sunbirds to mention but a few.

Hiking
Hiking is one of the best safari activities offered to visitors on Uganda safari in Kidepo National Park. It is best done from the park headquarters along the Lamoj Mountains. Along Kidepo river valley, there is Borassus palm forest and hikers have a chance to explore the magical Kidepo valleys and Kanangorok hot springs. In the southwestern side, there is rocky Napore Nyagia Mountain range, Lotukei mountains and don’t miss to hike to Morungole Mountain where the IK live.

Cultural encounters
A visit to Kidepo National Park is never complete without a cultural tour. Visitors get the best of African cultural experience on Uganda safari in this park especially while enjoying the thrilling cultural and traditional dances of Emuya, Naporre ethnic group. Visit the Karamoja manyatta and enjoy unique traditions, lifestyles and cultures of the Karamojong.

Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park
From September to March, Kidepo Valley National Park experiences the dry season and this is the best time to visit this park for game viewing tours. December to February is characterized by dry spell and it is perfect for game drives. Between April and May, the park experiences a low season and the worst weather conditions are experienced from December to February. The best weather conditions are experienced in the month of September, October and November. The wet season is perfect for bird watching since it disrupts wildlife viewing tours. The rainy/wet season is experienced from April-August.

Accommodational choices at Kidepo National Park
Visitors on Uganda wildlife safari in Kidepo Valley National Park can spend a night in anyone of the following accommodation choices; Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury); Kidepo Savanna Lodge (Midrange) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget).

Getting to Kidepo National Park
There are many routes to take you to Kidepo Valley National Park. You can drive from Entebbe or Kampala via Karuma-Gulu-Kitgum then to Kidepo National Park about 10 hours’ drive approximately 571kms. The Kampala via Karuma to Lira to Kotido to Kaabong then finally to Kidepo is 703 kms about 12 hours’ drive.

Other routes take you via the east starting from Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong then to Kidepo about 740kms. Or start from Kampala via Mbale to Soroti to Moroto to Kotido to Kaabong then get to Kidepo National Park-792kms. 4×4 drive safari car is perfect for you to embark on a road trip to Kidepo National Park.

By air, fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield about 2 hours to Lomej airstrip which is just next to Apoka.