Kidepo Valley National Park

Just in the northeastern part of Uganda, the non touristy Kidepo valley National Park provides refuge to a list of peerless Wildlife species not found elsewhere within the country. Its lush habitats draws massive numbers of elephants and herds of buffaloes.

Kidepo Valley National Park consists of remarkable mountain and savannah landscapes. Its quiet, serene and boasts the most effective scenery in the region. This Park is geographically placed in the north eastern corner of Uganda bordered by Kenya and Sudan.

Kidepo rich biodiversity consists of Wild animals, insects, reptiles, plant life and primates. Some of the most common species while on game viewing in Kidepo include Kudu, Zebra, buffalo, cheetah, elephant, giraffes, bush baby, lions, kobs, leopards to name but a few.

Animals to be seen here embrace leopard, Kudu, zebra, buffalo, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, oryx, bush baby, lions, kobs, etc. With its sensational landscape, this park isn’t to be lost life safaris in Kidepo national park-antelope.

All these Wildlife species, vast landscapes and scenic views of sunset/rise are the main reasons for all tailor made safaris to Kidepo.

How to get there?

Kidepo Valley National Park is about 700 km from Kampala in the north-eastern part of Uganda. You can easily get there by Road transport means or Air transport means.

After arriving at Entebbe international airport, 26km from Kampala, the capital city, you can go by numerous options as listed below:-

With road option, two routes are used. Route one starts from Kampala via Kampala – Jinja – Mbale highway until you stopover in Kotido for an overnight stay.

Route two starts from Kampala via Kampala- Masindi – Gulu highway including en route stopover in Nakasongola for a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Other than road transportation you can go by air transport means, private charters are arranged from Entebbe airport up to Apoka airstrip in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Isolated far from Kampala, north of Mount Elgon, Kidepo is one among Africa’s breathtaking geographical regions, a tract of craggy savannah dominated by mountain Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers.

Activities in the Park

Below are some of the tempting activities to be part while in Kidepo Valley National Park for your Ultimate Uganda Safari vacation.

Game Drives

If you are after sights of different Wild animals in Kidepo, game driving is the best way to go. Its more exceptional and only done by use of a Safari vehicle with a pop up roof.

Common animals sighted while game driving include Buffaloes, Giraffes, hartebeests, Zebras, Elephants to mention but a few.

For those traveling on their own, you can arrange for the game driving sessions with the lodge such as Apoka Safari Lodge. Guides are available to give more detailed information about Kidepo’s biodiversity. This activity requires a fee and costs $20 USD during day and $100 USD for night game drive.

Bird Watching

Kidepo Valley National Park welcomes a number of birders from different parts of the World. Its recorded with fifty six unique species of birds including the fourteen species that are endemic to the Park.

Kidepo is the only park in Uganda you can find the Ostrich. The endemic species include Pygmy falcon, Verreaux’s eagle and the Egyptian vulture.

Narus and Namamukweny valley are the two major hotspots for bird watching in Kidepo. It costs $30 USD per person.

Cultural Encounters.

Kidepo Valley National Park is surrounded with varied ethnic tribes including the Matheniko, Naporre ethnic group, the Emuya of Nyangia, Larakaraka and the Ik people.

With this, its easy to understand why Kidepo is ideal for cultural encounters. During the excursions, tourists visit different local communities for an insight about their day to day life, cultural performances and more.

Nature Walks

This is another way to delve into Kidepo’s magnificent sceneries. Get close to nature and as well sight different wildlife species in the Wilderness on foot. Outside the Park, you can do the hike up to Morungole Mountains.

Then within the Park, you can climb up to Idi Amin’s uncompleted lodge, started it when he still the president of Uganda. All the nature walks in the Park are guided by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Accommodation in the Park

Kidepo Valley National Park has only three lodges reserved for visitors to stay. They include Apoka Safari lodge – Luxury, Apoka Rest Camp – mid-range and Nga’moru Wilderness camp for budget.

For your own notice, it’s better to book for accommodation in advance before your travel dates, otherwise you are most likely to find all lodges fully booked particularly in the peak season.