Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo valley national park is one of Uganda’s remote and untouched safari destinations. The park is comprised of semi-arid savanna, seasonal rivers, and low mountains. Kidepo is located in the far northeast of Uganda, close to the borders of South Sudan and Kenya. The park covers 1,442 km2 and the valley floor is 914 meters above sea level, while Mount Morungole dominates the skyline at 2,750 meters. The Kidepo and Narus rivers flow across the savannah environment during the wet season and then disappear. Kidepo is Uganda’s most distant national park due to its remote location. The small number of visitors has helped to preserve the distinctive atmosphere of this unspoiled area.
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How to get to Kidepo
By road: Most people travel from Murchison Falls, which takes around 7 hours. Some people prefer to break up the journey by spending a night near Sipi Falls when traveling from Kampala. Kidepo is 571 kilometers away from Kampala. The 10-hour trip from Kampala via Kitgum and Gulu is scenic with various sightings of local communities
By air: Kidepo is served by two light aircraft companies that fly into the airport at Apoka. These flights run on specific days and need a minimum number of tourists to fly. There’s something really spectacular about flying out of Entebbe and looping over the magnificence of Murchison Falls before continuing on to the vastness of Kidepo.
Wildlife in Kidepo Valley National Park
Only Queen Elizabeth National Park has more biodiversity than Kidepo in Uganda. Kidepo National Park is home to 77 animal species and provides excellent possibilities for game viewing. There are 20 predator species present, including lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas. Kidepo is home to the bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, aardwolf, cheetah, and caracal. The elephant population has increased to about 650 (from 200 in the mid-1990s), the buffalo population is believed to be over 10,000, and there are over 50 Rothschild’s giraffes, a globally significant population. Zebra graze on the grasslands, and both greater and smaller kudu prowl the savanna plains.
Adventurers who are lucky may spot a white-eared kob, which is more prevalent in South Sudan and Ethiopia. There are now 470 bird species on the list 60 of which are not present in no other Ugandan national park. The sole population of Clapperton’s francolin and rose-ringed parakeet in East Africa is found in Kidepo. There are 56 raptor species in the park, and the vultures are prospering. Kidepo is also the only spot in Uganda where birdwatchers may see the majestic Common Ostrich.
Game drives in Kidepo valley national park
Game drives around Apoka are the greatest way to see the most of the park in a short amount of time. Seeing these big mammals and predators up close from the comfort of your car is an incredible experience. The majority of drives use two 20-kilometer routes in the Narus Valley. During the dry season, the remaining amount of water draws big herds of buffalo, elephants, and antelope. Herbivores attract predators, allowing you to observe a variety of wildgame. Game drives start in the early in the morning and late in the afternoon during the hot, dry season. This allows you to see the animals when they are most active and take photos and videos when the light is optimal for photography.
The dry Kidepo Valley has fewer species, but it is scenic and worth exploring. Focus on the Kanagorok hot springs, 30 kilometers north of Apoka, but don’t get too hung up on them. Slowly cross the Kidepo River, which is a large sandbank in the dry season, and meander past grasslands flanked by mountains. The secretary bird and ostrich thrive here, while kudu benefits from the dense bush’s cover.
Nature Walks in kidepo valley national park.
Walk into the untamed savannah, leaving the groaning engine behind. Every step is gratifying as you become one with nature. Confront the wilderness in all its splendor, with the assurance of your guide. The majority of the walking paths take 2 to 3 hours to complete and weave through the Narus Valley. The Narus Valley nature walk is particularly popular since its small 5km radius is convenient for most guests. It allows you to witness a surplus of amazing wildlife and birds against the backdrop of a breathtaking landscape. Birders frequently comb the outskirts of the Narus and Namamukweny Valleys in search of the Abyssinian Roller, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Purple Heron, and Clapperton’s Francolin. A 15-kilometer trail follows the ridgeline line into the highlands for those seeking a bigger challenge. While there are several potential paths, some may have not been walked in a while and may be temporarily shut down.
Cultural Encounters in Kidepo valley national park
Karamojong
The Karamojong are an ethnic tribe of cattle-loving nomadic agro-pastoralists that came from Ethiopia into northeast Uganda approximately 500 years ago. The Karamojong, like their compatriots in Kenya and Ethiopia, have mainly resisted the introduction of modernity and continue to live traditional lives little modified since their first arrival. Conflict over livestock has traditionally been a component of Karamojong tradition due to the community’s love of cattle. These tours allow you to interact with them, learn of their culture and participate in activities such as dance and songs.
Ik People
The Ik people bore the brunt of the park’s consequences. The Ik were formerly pastoralists who lost their herds to Karamojong, Turkana, and Pokot raids. They are said to be the earliest immigrants of the Ethiopian migration. As a result of the creation of the park, they moved on the fringes of the Murongole mountains. The only alternative left to them was to try subsistence farming in the highlands beyond the park’s boundaries. A visit to Kidepo allows to interact with them and learn about their cultures.
Kidepo Accommodation Options
Kidepo Savanna Lodge
Kidepo Savannah Lodge is a basic, yet charming lodge situated 500 meters from the park entrance. There are nine ‘tents’ that share a single toilet block and eight self-contained safari tents’ that branch out from a central dining room and bar. Tourists may enjoy spectacular views of the Narus Valley and the hills beyond from this vantage point.
Apoka Safari Lodge
Apoka Safari lodge is a luxury lodge on a tiny elevation in the middle of the savanna plains. There is wildlife everywhere. You are in a fantastic position to admire the wildlife in all its grandeur. See zebra or buffalo directly outside your suite, or a lion lying by the pool in the dry months. Ten spacious bandas built of wood, canvas, and thatch offer excellent lodging. The dining area and bar have a thatch-roofed with an elevated platform ideal for wildlife watching. There is also a high observation deck that serves as a memorable private brunch area.
When Should You Go?
Kidepo is open all year round. Nonetheless, its overall climate differs from that of the rest of Uganda. While June was once considered a dry month, it has become widely acknowledged that a protracted rainy season will last from April until the end of November. This is hardly an eight-month torrent, but rain may be expected on most days.
From December through March, the dry season lasts. Temperatures surge during this period, frequently reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Because the park’s sandy soils cannot hold water and become arid between the beginning and the end of the dry season (November to February), there are more possibilities of seeing animals in the Narus valley, the major water source. The restricted availability of water supplies during these months drives animals to gather near dependable water holes, boosting the odds of sightings. This is also the greatest time of year to view cheetahs hunting on the savanna plains.
Animals, on the other hand, are more difficult to see during the rainy season (April to August) because they leave the lowlands for higher territory, where sightings are less common.
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