Bird Watching in Kidepo Valley National Park

Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park; Kidepo valley national park is an isolated destination located in the north Eastern part of Uganda in Karamoja region at Uganda’s border with Kenya and Sudan. The park was gazetted in 1962 and covers a total area of 1,442 square kilometers which is comprised of savannah grassland and woodland. Kidepo valley national park is known for harboring over 77 mammal species including the big four of the big five mammals which are elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, other mammals like Uganda kobs, giraffes, elands, duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, aardwolf, greater and lesser kudu, reedbucks, guenthers dik dik and over 475 bird species.

Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park.

Kidepo valley national park is a home of more than 475 recorded bird species including Albertine endemic species, savannah bird which make it the second best birding destination in Uganda after Queen Elizabeth national park. The best bird watching areas in Kidepo valley national park include Apoka rest camp, around the fringes of Namamukwenyi valley, Narus valley among others. Bird watching in the park can either be done early in the morning or in the evening with an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including ostriches, Karamoja apalis, yellow rumped seed eater, four banded sand grouse, silver bird, yellow necked spurfowl, golden pipit, greater kestrel, pygmy falcon, Ethiopian swallow, superb starling, red winged lark, kori bustard, black headed plover, fan tailed raven, scarlet chested sunbird, black breasted barbet, fox kestrel, clappertons francolin, rose ringed parakeet, African swallow tailed kit, Heuglins francolin, Abyssinian roller, African grey flycatcher, singing bush lark, white bellied tit, red fronted barbet, Jackson’s hornbill, chestnut sparrow, purple heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, rufous crowned roller, little green bee-eater, long tailed nightjar, standard winged nightjar, speckle fronted weaver, red billed oxpecker, white faced scoops owl, red pate cisticola, brown rumped bunting, eastern pale chanting goshawk, rufous sparrow, straw tailed whydah among others.

Best time to go for bird watching in Kidepo valley national park

Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during wet season also known as the low season in the months of March to April and November because that’s the best period when you will be able to view migratory bird species from Europe.

Where to stay during your bird watching safari in Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park has a number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your bird watching safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange, budget and camp sites including Apoka Safari lodge, Kidepo Savannah lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Nga-Moru Wilderness camp, Adere Safari Lodge, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Bandas among others.

Apart from bird watching, Kidepo valley national park offers other interesting activities like,

Game drives where you will drive within the park in a comfortable 4 WD safari vehicle with a professional driver guide who will help you to spot different animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, reedbucks, bushbucks, kudus, wild dogs, oribi, klipspringer, Jackson’s hartebeest, bat eared fox, jackal among others. Game drives in Kidepo park can either be carried out early in the morning, in the afternoon or at night and are best done during the dry season because that’s the time when large numbers of animals gather around the water bodies to drink water.

Nature walks where you will explore the park on foot with the company of a park guide and an armed park ranger. During the guided nature walks you will be able to view different animals at a close range, listen to sweet sounds of bird species singing in trees, view colorful butterflies, enjoy the cool breeze among others.

Cultural encounters where you will be able to interact with the Karamajong and IK people, learn about their culture, history, visit their homesteads, listen to their ancient stories, enjoy their traditional songs and drama, buy craft souvenirs among others.

How to get to Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park is located in north Eastern Uganda and can be accessed by both air and road transport means.

Air transport, when using air transport means to Kidepo valley national park you will book scheduled or charter flights with Aerolink Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Apoka airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

Road transport, there are different routes to take when going to Kidepo valley national park for example,

Route from Kampala, Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 10 hours’ drive.

Route from Kampala to Karuma, Lira, Kotido, Kaabong and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.

Route from Kampala to Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.

Route from Kampala to Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 13 hours’ drive.

Kidepo valley national park is one of the best birding destinations that shouldn’t be missed during your bird watching safari in Uganda. For more information do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for interesting and affordable bird watching packages.