Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the intact and still untamed wilderness parks in Uganda and the whole continent. This is attributed to its remote location far away in the northeastern corner of Uganda. It is on the extreme northern border with South Sudan.
The park is renowned for its striking savannah landscape with endless rolling plains. These accommodate the largest herds of buffalo recorded on earth [about 2000 buffaloes]. Kidepo is the only refuge for the cheetahs and ostriches in Uganda. This is in addition to other mammals like elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and countless bird species, including endemics like the Karamoja Apalis.
Kidepo Valley National Park is a must-visit for someone in search of true wilderness adventure. Its dazzling setting earned it a listing by CNN among the top 3 national parks to visit in Africa. Its remoteness further adds an extra advantage to travelers looking for less-trodden tourism sites. It offers a chance to explore new and raw opportunities that will create unforgettable safari memories.
WHAT TO DO IN KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK?
The park has a variety of activities it offers to guests. These include the unforgettable safari drives, birding, nature walks or hiking, and a lunch picnic in the revitalizing wilderness.
Game viewing experiences.
Game drives are mainly carried out in the Narus Valley in the southern part of the park. This is because, unlike other parts of the park, the valley retains a constant water supply for the diverse wildlife that calls Kidepo home. A safari drive in this valley allows guests to view numerous animals. These include herds of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes, various small antelopes, and views of predators – lions or leopards trying to feed their hungry stomachs.
Game drives in Kidepo Valley are run by experienced guides and certified rangers, and you can go for either morning or evening drives. Nocturnal game drives can be arranged for guests interested in viewing animals that are more active at night, like lions.
Bird watching.
Kidepo national is a perfect birders haven with more than 58 bird species recorded across the park. Birding did in the early morning, or late evening in the Narus valley. Notable species are Egyptian vultures, secretary birds, ostriches, Abyssinian ground hornbill, or the Clapperton francolin which is endemic to this park.
Nature walks and short hikes.
Kidepo is an ideal place for awesome hikes to the Lomej Mountains. These can last roughly 4 hours or shorter; guided walks can last for an average of 2 hours. These walks lead you through the Narus Valley to offer you a chance for most of the animals to gather to quench their thirst. You can also visit the Morungole Mountains to encounter the Ike community.
How to access Kidepo valley national park?
Visitors can access the park through air or, most affordably, by road. You can easily access the park from Kampala to Gulu then Kitgum. This road is well maintained, and it’s easier to navigate than the eastern route that goes through Mbale-Soroti, then connects to Kitgum.
Air transport. Guests can schedule or charter flights from Entebbe to the airstrip at Lomej which is roughly 3 kilometers south of the park headquarters.
Best time to visit Kidepo valley national park:
Visitors can visit the park throughout the whole year though it is advisable to visit in dry seasons as compared to the rainy season when the roads inside the park are muddy and slippery. It’s advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle, especially during this time.
Guests can also arrange a trip to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where they can finish off viewing all the Big Five. The sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can view rhinos roaming freely in the wild.
For visitors interested in exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations and creating unforgettable memories, Kidepo national park is the ideal place to spend your vacation in the true African wilderness.