Located along the circuit boundary of Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan, Kidepo Valley national park is one of the legendary rugged semi-arid destinations and best tourist site in East Africa. Hosting over 475 species of birds and over 77 mammal species, Kidepo Valley national park was officially gazzeted in 1962. It is about 700km away from Kampala – the capital of Uganda.

Irrespective of the isolated nature of Kidepo Valley national park, it ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. A few visitors drive through the long journey northwards via the wild frontier of Karamoja region.

Kidepo usually runs short of water during the dry season and the hope of its game always lies in the small oases and open savannah valleys. Animals are fond of converging on these oases in search of water hence making Kidepo a prime game viewing destination, especially in dry seasons.

Kidepo Valley national park is the most remote safari park in Africa and recognized for harboring a number of animals some of which are endemic and restricted to the park in the entire country; including aardwolves, caracal, cheetahs, greater and lesser kudus, bat-eared foxes, to mention but a few. Do not miss the secret of watching the occasional lion without having to travel long distances.

Kidepo national park’s magnificent scenery.

This national park’s magnificent scenery magically ends on a rocky horizon, in addition to its outstanding landscape, prominent herds and prides of animals unmatched by any other national park in east Africa.

Kidepo features a wide latitudinal array which favors various climatic conditions that support varied vegetation types.

Kidepo national park is made up of two valleys namely; the Narus valley and Kidepo valley on either sides of the terrain which is a gentle hill in nature. Narus valley views are presented to you from many vintage points. Rocky outcrops, desert dates and acacia trees intersperse the park’s open grassland rendering it a spectacle worth your attention.

Wildlife in Kidepo valley national park.

Kidepo valley national park is famous for being home to 20 predator species and a number of impressive mammals some of which are restricted to the park in the entire country. Some of the animals visible in Kidepo include; buffaloes, Uganda kobs, elephants, black-backed and side-striped jackal, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, leopards, eland, klipspringer, etc.

Activities in Kidepo valley national park.

People and cultures.

One of Africa’s minor ethnic groups – the Ik dwells in Kidepo valley national park. The present Ik are currently about 10,000 or slightly above in terms of population and for quite a long period of time they have been working around the clock to preserve their language and culture which are only known to them. In the event that you visit Kidepo valley national park, you will be immersed into the raw cultural practices that even a historian would marvel at. Take time to learn from their fascinating way of life, spend time with elders and enjoy fun with their children. It is a remarkable moment worth your attention.

Hiking into the Morungole Mountains introduces you to the hospitable Ik who will bless your day with views of their subsistence farms, traditional ways of life, trade that happens in the lowlands of the mountain.

Putting the Ik aside, dare not to miss the Karamajong pastoralists who are not far different from the Ik since they have related styles of dancing, specific hut building techniques and same ways of dressing. Language is the only feature that distinguishes the Ik from the Karamajong; while the Ik speak Teuso and practice subsistence farming, the Karamajong are predominantly nomadic pastoralists.

The Narus valley.

South of Apoka is a prime game viewing area known as the Narus valley where animals converge mostly throughout the year. You must watch buffaloes in the swamps, lions in the rocky outcrops and giraffes on the drier slopes of the valley.

Other potential animal viewing areas include Kakine Nagusokopire and Katurum game circuits, newly created tracks to Apoka are in the North West and to the southern region that hub the seasonal crocodile pool.

View points.

It is at Apoka rest camp, Nagusokopire and Kakine campsites that binocular viewpoints have been installed. It is here that you can enjoy superb panoramic views including the Napore-Nyungea range, Mt. Lomej in South Sudan and Morungole Mountains.

Kidepo Valley.

Unlike the Narus Valley, Kidepo does not score high on big game list but rather impressive scenery as you drive the thirty-kilometer drive from Apoka. Stop at Narus-Kidepo watershed at Lokimorigen and enjoy gorgeous views of the park. Continue to Kidepo River and enjoy walks on the dry sandy riverbed where animals are rare but the area is rich in ostriches and other bird species.

Dare not to miss the hot springs and a modest cluster of small hot pools on the boarder of South Sudan just eleven kilometers beyond the river. You must have a ranger guide to engage in this expedition.

Guided nature walks.

Guided nature walks around Apoka rest camp provide spectacular views of animals species like the reedbucks, zebras, hartebeests, to mention but a few. The longer walks via the open grasslands of East Kakine present to you buffaloes, elephants, and occasional lion sightings. You must have a guide to be part of this expedition.

Bird watching

The southern Narus Valley is a great spot to begin your Kidepo birding expedition; making the experience in Kidepo very remarkable.

The most reliable area for birding in Kidepo Valley National park is the southern region of Narus valley. The following are some of the common birds found in the park; yellow-spotted petronia, Rufous and Chestnut sparrow, sunbirds, fly catcher, pygmy, white crowned and yellow-billed shrikes, eastern violet backed, superb sterling, red-billed oxpecker, foxy and mouse-cloured penduline tit, singing bush lark, brown-backed woodpecker, Karamoja Apalis, white-faced scoops owl, rose-ringed parakeet, slate-colored Boubou, little green-eater, Abyssinian ground, Ethiopian swallow, stone Partridge, pygmy falcon, etc.

Wildlife viewing

Statistics show that over 75 mammal species reside in Kidepo valley national park, 28 of which are restricted to the park.

Some of the mammal resident in the park include; stripped hyena, lesser kudu, elephants, lions, buffaloes and zebras. All these animals are available for you to tour and turn your moments into memories.

Weather and climate of the park.

Kidepo is always dry mostly during the months of September to March, and June to September. Its climate is generally semi-arid and receives average afternoon temperatures of about 29⁰C with exception of higher altitude areas which get much cooler. The wet seasons range from the months of April to June.

How to get to Kidepo Valley national park?

Driving to the park is the most thrilling moments you can ever have; they are ten hours of driving through Gulu and Kitgum (720km from Kampala city). The road is sometimes tricky; therefore you might need a 4WD vehicle.

While using the Soroti-Moroto road, you will be blessed with spectacular views of the steep Alekilek volcano. The other option is using Lira-Kotido road filled with beautiful sceneries of Labwor hills and the uncovered Alerek rock.

You can also choose to take a two hour flight to Kidepo valley national park from Entebbe airport. The flight will take you to Apoka park headquarters.