Kidepo Valley National Park: Animals, Location, Lodges and Photos
Kidepo Valley National Park is the most isolated and the 3rd biggest national park in Uganda. Discover what Kidepo National Park has to offer! Kidepo boasts of an array of attractions such as animals giving you the best of Uganda wildlife safaris, unique landscapes and it is also famous for the Karamajong cultural experience.
Set in the rugged, semi-arid valleys in the extreme border of Uganda with South Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo Valley National Park is remarkably a protected area to visit. It is remotely lying in the Karamojong plains and is undoubtedly the best place in Africa to experience a true wilderness.
Geographical location
Kidepo is situated in the semi-arid valleys in Northeastern Uganda, Karamoja area. It’s closely bordered by districts like Kaabong and Moroto town. Kidepo Valley National Park is a spectacular savanna park, and was officially established in 1962. This park stretches up to 1442sq.km and is most popular for its unmatched game viewing experiences.
Kidepo boasts of its alluring scenery, abundant wildlife, untouched wilderness, and unique valleys. This park has been recognized by the CNN as the most picturesque of all African safari wildlife parks. Kidepo’s sweeping plains comprise of the Kidepo and Narus valleys, Mount Morungole where the IK people live. The vast grassland and savannas offer refuge to a number of mammals which visitors can easily spot.
Wildlife
The extensive 1442sq.km Kidepo holds over 77 mammal species, 475 species of birds and other species.
The diverse wildlife species of visitor interest in Kidepo National Park include the common zebras, lesser Kudu, klipspringers, African bush elephants, bat eared fox, spotted hyenas, cape buffaloes, striped jackals, Senegal galagos, white tailed mongoose, oribis, cheetahs, lions, leopards, bohor reedbucks, and others.
Birds
Over 475 species of birds survive in the distinct habitats in Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda. This makes it the second destination after Queen Elizabeth National Park with the highest bird concentrations.
The different birdlife to search in Kidepo include the white crested hartlaub’s turacos, golden pipit, Taita fiscal, lesser kestrel, dusky turtle dove, ring necked spur fowl, rufous chatterer, black winged pratincole, pallid harrier, yellow and red spotted barbet,
Abyssinian ground hornbills, steel blue whydahs, Ethiopian swallow, little green bee-eaters, orange winged pytilia, singing bush lark, ostriches, Abyssinian rollers, Karamoja apalis, Kori bustards, purple heron, chestnut weaver bird, pygmy falcons, secretary bird, Egyptian vultures, and verreaux’s eagle, etc.
Activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda:
Game drives.
Game drives in Kidepo are a must-do, taking visitors on a remarkable search for the hidden treasures. A huge concentration of wildlife can be encountered during Kidepo’s game drive including the cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, reedbucks, warthogs, dik-dik, and many bird species.
Visitors can choose to go for a full day or simply a morning or afternoon game drive. The must visit game tracks include Narus and Kidepo. A well serviced vehicle is needed to allow you explore the park’s hidden treasures smoothly.
Nature walks and hikes.
Walking safaris take you to enjoy a close interaction with nature. These can be around the park or nearby areas like Lamoj, and Morungole Mountain. Narus offers the best walking experiences and walks begin from Apoka tourism centre.
You can also take 6 hours navigating to Namamukweny valley. The hiking expeditions are perfectly done on Mt. Morungole and at the summits, you can meet the IK people.
Bird Watching.
A range of bird species await every bird enthusiast to explore on Uganda safari.
The diverse bird species to identify in Kidepo National Park among others the Abyssinian ground hornbills, clapperton’s francolins, kori bustards, secretary bird, white crested hartlaub’s turacos, golden pipit, Taita fiscal, lesser kestrel, dusky turtle dove, rufous chatterer, and black winged pratincole.
There is also, pallid harrier, yellow and red spotted barbet, steel blue whydahs, ring necked spur fowl, Ethiopian swallow, African jacana, white faced whistling ducks, yellow billed storks, little green bee-eaters, orange winged pytilia, singing bush lark, ostriches, Abyssinian rollers and more.
Cultural/community walks.
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in an area known for its unusual cultural and traditional practices. The area is dominated by the Karamojong and IK communities.
A visit to Karamojong Manyatta or homestead brings you a complete cultural of the Karamojong –the renowned pastoralists living in the Northeastern part of Uganda. Their way of doing is not different that of the Maasai people.
The key areas of interest in Kidepo Valley National Park:
The Apoka tourism centre –ideal spot to begin your game viewing expedition. This area is suitably set overviewing the endowed Narus Valley.
Kanangorok hot spring –perfect for picnicking and visitors enjoy excellent views of the mountains and also ostriches.
Kidepo valley –features an extensive 50m wide bed of white sands between the banks of the seasonal river.
Mt Morungole –rising at the height of 2749m. This is an ideal hiking location and allows you enjoy a hike to the summits where the IK people live.
Lamoj hills –if you are interested in mountain reedbucks and other mammals, then consider exploring Lamoj hills a must-do.
Namamukweny valley –this place features plenty of birds including the white crested turacos, green wood hoopoe, eastern paradise whydahs, Abyssinian rollers, and common bulbul to mention but a few.
When to visit Kidepo for wildlife safaris?
The dry season presents ideal conditions for tourists to explore and experience the wonders of Kidepo Valley National Park. The dry months begin from September to October then till mid-March.
Where to stay in Kidepo?
Visitors on Uganda safaris in Kidepo can choose their places for overnight stay from the numerous accommodation options in or outside the park. The notable lodges to book for overnight stay in Kidepo National Park include Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savanna Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, and Apoka Rest Camp.
Getting to Kidepo National Park for a vacation;
By road – drive off from Entebbe or Kampala city about 10-12 hours’ drive. There are different routes to take and each has something unusual for you to experience en-route. The key routes to Kidepo include Kampala-Jinja-Mbale –Moroto route or Kampala-Luweero-Gulu highway.
There is also Kampala-Mbale-Sironko to Kotido-Kaabong and then finally, you get to Kidepo National Park. Or travel along the Kampala-Gulu-Kitgum-Kidepo Valley National Park.
By air; connect to Entebbe airport and you will take a flight to Apoka airstrip where you can easily transfer to the lodge by car.