Kidepo Valley National Park –travel guide to help you plan a memorable wildlife tour. This guide to Kidepo covers many aspects of Kidepo National Park as a destination from the main tourist attractions (wildlife, birds, breathtaking sceneries & landscapes), safari experiences (tourism activities), where to stay, best time to visit, and getting to the park.
Geographical Location of Kidepo in Uganda
Kidepo Valley National Park is remotely situated in the Karamoja region, Northeastern Uganda featuring a landscape seemingly as that of the scenic Masai Mara National Reserve. Kidepo is one of those few Protected Areas that reward you with the actual feeling of being in the natural environment. The Park borders South Sudan and also makes up a contiguous ecosystem with Kidepo Game Reserve (South Sudan). Kidepo National Park lies within the semi-arid valleys and was declared a National Park in 1962.
Kidepo National Park extends 1442 sq. km and has varying altitudes of 914 to 2950m. The Park’s landscape features semi-arid valleys, rugged areas, and savanna plains. The park is a perfect spot to experience the true Karamoja wilderness.
key attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park
The Wildlife to See
Kidepo Valley National Park protects over 77 species of mammals and 475 bird species. The park’s holds a diversity of wildlife, including elands, dik-dik, gazelles, elands, lesser & greater Kudu, Klipspringers, Oribi, mongoose, striped jackals, Aardwolf, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, caracals, bat-eared foxes, leopards, lions, and wild dogs. Kidepo also protects a total of 5 species of primates, including Kavirondo bush babies and patas monkeys.
The Birds of Kidepo
At Kidepo, there reside over 475 species of birds, making it a special birding destination. The birds available in Kidepo include Abyssinian scimitar bill, Karamoja apalis, Egyptian vultures, dark chanting, golden pipit, eastern violet-backed birds, taita fiscal, rufous chatterers, Kori bustards, slate-colored boubou, yellow-billed strikes, rose-ringed parakeet, and many others. Additional bird species in Kidepo to find include little green bee-eaters, purple grenadiers, pallid harriers, Jackson’s hornbills, and Northern carmine bee-eaters.
What to do in Kidepo Valley National Park (Uganda)
Game drive excursions
Visit Kidepo Valley National Park to enjoy captivating encounters of wildlife in the lush savanna plains. In Kidepo, expect to immerse yourself in the wilderness while you keep an eye on the diversity of the savanna game, including the reedbuck, leopards, cape buffaloes, Burchell’s zebras, Jackson’s hartebeest, cheetahs, and many Kudus. A 4×4 safari vehicle is a perfect alternative for your guided game drives through the plains of Kidepo. The ideal locations to explore on a guided game drive include the Narus and Kidepo Valley. The Narus is perfect for spotting the Karamoja apalis, hoopoe, and ostriches.
Bird-watching tours
A guided birding tour in Kidepo National Park comes with amazing bird sights. The birds to expect to find include Dark chanting goshawk, Kori bustards, ring-necked spurfowl, Karamoja apalis, eastern violets, Clapperton’s francolins, red and yellow barbets, etc. The park has different birding sites to identify birds include Apoka Rest Camp, Namamukweny, and Narus Valleys, etc. Along the Namamukweny Valley, expect to find birds like the Eastern paradise whydahs, green wood hoopoes, white-crested turacos, and more. At Apoka Rest Camp, expect to find birds such as scarlet-chested sunbirds, silver birds, yellow-rumped seed-eaters, purple herons, and little weaver birds.
Bush walking tours
Guided nature walks in Kidepo introduce you to some of the finest spots with abundant wildlife and birds. You can engage in active guided walks in the Narus Valleys, Namamukweny Valley, Mount Morungole, and Mt. Lomej. The Narus Valley is largely a savanna grassland with a scenic Narus River. This nature trail is popular for game drives and nature walks. It has a diversity of wildlife, including leopards, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, and oribis.
Kidepo Valley mainly features ostriches plus many other species. Morungole Volcano is set at an altitude of 2750m, and at the summit, it contains the IK community. Lomej Hills lie around the Kidepo Valley National Park and offers visitors a chance to spot the antelopes like the reedbucks. Namamukweny Valley is an ideal birding site for birders on a tour in Kidepo National Park to explore. Mount Lonyili is home to numerous primates, especially the colobus monkeys, and is located at the border of Kitgum and South Sudan.
Cultural/Community Experiences
A visit to Kidepo offers not only game drives but also unforgettblee cultural/community experiences. During a cultural safari, expect to explore key communities, including the IK and the Karamojong Communities. The IK community lives in the scenic Morungole, and cultural enthusiasts embark on a guided walk or trek to the summits.
The Best Time to Tour Kidepo National Park
When planning a safari to Kidepo, you should be conscious about the timing. It is possible to arrange a trip to Kidepo at any time of the year, but preferably, the peak dry months are excellent for wildlife tours. The dry months in Kidepo National Park for you to consider fall in December to March & from June to September. The wet or rainy season is also available for you to plan a tour but it often comes with heavy rains.
Where to stay
While on a vacation in Kidepo, expect to retire in the budget, midrange, or luxury accommodation option. The lodges and camps that are available for visitors overnight in Kidepo include Katurum Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Adere Safari Lodge, Zebra Safari Lodge, and Kidepo Savanna Lodge.
How to reach Kidepo National Park (Uganda)
Kidepo National Park is accessible by road/air, and expect to drive for at least 10 to 12 hours. Your journey involves heading to the Northeastern circuit of Uganda, and the available routes include the Kampala via the Eastern side, and the other takes you via the Northern route on the Kampala-Gulu highway. Each of the destinations comes with possible sightings or possible locations for your stopover tours. You can also take a flight, and this involves departing from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and you land at Kidepo Airstrip.
Conclusion: Visit and explore Kidepo and its exceptional wonders, ranging from the big game and bird species. Book your tour to Kidepo for a captivating wildlife viewing tour.