Travel Guide to Kidepo valley national park
Travel guide to Kidepo valley national park; Kidepo valley national park is located in the northeastern part of Uganda in the remote Karamoja region at Uganda’s border with Kenya and south Sudan. The park was gazetted in 1962 and covers a total area of 1,442 square kilometers which is comprised of savannah grasslands, woodlands, montane forest among others which act as habitat for different wildlife species.
Wildlife in Kidepo valley national park
Animals
Kidepo valley national park is a home of about 77 mammal species including the big four of the big four mammals which are the lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, other animals like Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, Uganda kobs, elands, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, klipsringer, bat eared fox, mountain reedbuck, greater and lesser kuddu, aardwolf among others thus Travel Guide to Kidepo valley national park.
Birds
Kidepo valley national park harbors more than 475 bird species including endemic birds, forest birds, migratory birds among others which make it one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. birds in Kidepo valley national park include Abyssinian roller, greater kestrel, ostrich, Jackson’s hornbill, pygmy falcon, white bellied go away bird, Karamoja apalis, red throated bee-eater among others.
Things to do in Kidepo valley national park
Game drives in Kidepo valley national park
Game drive is one of the most popular activities in Kidepo valley national park which gives tourists an opportunity to explore the park in a comfortable 4 WD safari vehicle with a professional driver guide who is well conversant with different trails. Game drives in Kidepo valley national park can either be done very early in the morning when the animals are most active or in the evening when animals are going back to their hiding areas. There are two sections in the park where the game drives are conducted namely the Narus valley section and Kidepo valley, both sections offer great views of different animals including waterbucks, zebras, giraffes, Oribi, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, elands, kudus, bushbucks, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas among others during the game drives.
Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is a home of more than 475 recorded bird species including endemic birds, migratory birds among others. Bird watching in the Kidepo valley national park is best done around Apoka rest camp, fringes of Narus valley, Namukwenyi valley among others. during bird watching you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot variety of bird species including black breasted barbet, African moustached francolin, greater kestrel, red billed oxpecker, Egyptian vulture, pygmy falcon, Karamoja apalis, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Ethiopian swallow, purple grenadier, superb starling, scarlet chested sunbird, white bellied go away bird, African grey flycatcher, black coucal, marsh tchagra, steel blue whydah, clappertons francolin, dark chanting goshawk among others thus Travel Guide to Kidepo valley national park.
Hiking or nature walk in Kidepo valley national park
Nature walk/ hiking is an exciting activity in Kidepo valley national park where tourists will get out of the comfort of a safari vehicle and explore the park on foot accompanied by an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from dangerous animals. During the guided nature walk you will follow different trails through the Narus valley, Namamkweny valley, around Apoka rest camp, hikes to Lomej Mountains, Morungole Mountains among others. Nature walks give tourists an opportunity to get up-close and personal with different animals, birds, plants, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, relax your mind, take beautiful pictures, meet the IK people among others.
Cultural tour in Kidepo valley national park
This is an interesting activity in Kidepo valley national park where tourists will get a chance to interact with the IK People and Karamajing people who live in the neighboring villages. During the cultural tour you will be able to learn about their tradition, cultural practices, lifestyle, way of living, visit their manyatta homesteads, visit the museum where they sell craft items like stools, beads, spears, arrows, jewels, knives, learn how to prepare their traditional meals, enjoy their traditional entertainments among others.
Best time to visit Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season the park receives less or little rainfall therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to view different wildlife species clearly, most animals will gather around the water bodies to drink water, access roads and hiking trails will be dry and passable.
Kidepo valley national park can also be visited during the rainy season in the months of March, April, May and November because that’s the best time for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view migratory bird species.
How to get to Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is located in northeastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
Air transport,
When using air transport means to access Kidepo valley national park, you will book domestic charter or scheduled flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport of Kajjansi airfield to Apoka airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Road transport,
When using road transport means, there are several routes that you will follow for example
Route from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum and then to the park headquarters which takes about 10 hours’ drive.
Route from Kampala via Karuma, Lira, kotido, Kaabong and then to the park headquarters which takes about 12 hours’ drive.
Route from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.
Route from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo national park which takes about 13 hours’ drive.
Where to stay in Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park has limited number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange, budget and campsites including Apoka Safari lodge, Kidepo Savannah lodge, Adere Safari lodge, Nga Moru Wilderness Camp, Apoka Rest Camp among others.
