Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted in 1962. It lies in the semi-arid valleys between Uganda’s border with Kenya and South Sudan. It was ranked the wildest park in Africa by CNN.
Its open flat plains allow a lot of wildlife to graze and thrive. It covers a total surface area of 1,442 KM. The highest point stands at 914m and the lowest point is at 2,750m above sea level.
It has a lot of game hosting over 77 mammals including Cheetah, Leopard, Lions, buffaloes, elephants, Zebra, warthogs, and different species of antelopes. Kidepo Valley National Park has 2 seasonal rivers and includes Narus and Kidepo which disappear during the dry season.
It’s the most isolated park which is around 700k from Kampala but once you get there, it’s worth rewarding with a lot of wildlife in the finest wilderness area.
The popular activities in this park include
Game drives; Game drives are done in Narus valley and Kidepo valley. Narus valley is around Apoka the center of Kidepo with a lot of wildlife including Cheetah, Leopards, lions, large herds of buffaloes elephants, zebras, bush back, water buck, duikers, oribi, and other species different species of antelopes. Game drives can also be done in Kidepo Valley near the border with South Sudan where you will encounter with Ostriches as the most attraction. You will also have a chance to visit the hot springs in this area and will come across the Kidepo seasonal river which dries up during the dry season.
Birding; Birding takes place in the morning and afternoon hours and popularly takes place near Apoka in Narus Valley that offers a great birding experience and even near Namamukweny valley. Birds that can be sighted include; purple Hern, Abyssinian Roller, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and Clapperton’s Francolin which are only found in Kidepo valley national park.
Cultural Experiences; Kidepo Valley National Park is surrounded by the Karamojong community who used to be the cattle wrestlers before the government took an interest to civilize them and most of them started enrolling in civil education. There are also the Masai of Kenya and the IK a hunter-gatherer tribe. They have a rich cultural history and this can be explored by taking a cultural experience in their community especially the Karimojong neighboring community. You will visit their homesteads to learn their way of living and this will end will lots of entertainment from the community entertainment groups where clients are also free to participate.
Guided Nature Walks; The UWA ranger guide will take you on a short nature walk which lasts 3 to 4 hours while observing the beautiful scenery in terms of hills (Lomey mountains), rocks, endless wilderness, fauna and flora. This is normally good for zoologists, botanists and Researchers. While on the walk, you are able to meet IK tribe near Murongole mountain outside the park.
Some of the accommodations in Kidepo include:
- Apoka Safari camp
- Apoka UWA Bandas
- Buffalo base camp
- Public camping run by UWA
Accessing Kidepo Valley National Park
- Kampala- Karuma- Gulu- Kitgum –Kidepo = 571km (10 hours). Make a break at Ziwa wildlife sanctuary and track rhinos on foot. Spend a night in Gulu or Kitgum town.
- Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo =740km (12 hours). Break the journey at Sipi and climb to the Sipi falls. There are decent hotels on-site or spend a night in Kapchorwa town.
- Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo = 792km (13 hours). Break journey in Kumi town and visit Nyero rock. Spend a night in Kumi or Soroti town.
- Kampala-Karuma-Lira-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo= 705km (12 hours). Break journey at Ziwa wildlife sanctuary and track rhinos on foot. Spend a night in Lira town.
It can also be accessed by air using the local flights from Kajjasi to Kidepo airstrip which is just within Apoka the center of Kidepo.
