Kidepo valley National park is the best national park for spectacular landscapes and ragged mountains and flat valleys. It was first Gazzetted as a game Reserve and upgraded to national park status in 1962. The Park covers an area of 1,442 square kilometers. Kidepo valley national park is remotely situated in the far Northeastern corner of Uganda in the Karamoja Region-Kaabong District, bordering Kenya and South Sudan between the hills of Karamoja and Nagoya Valley. The park features vast latitudinal range which comes with wide range of climatic conditions which have evolved extremely diverse vegetation. The park is over shadowed by the 2,750 metres (9,020 ft) Mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus rivers. As a result, today the vast number of wildlife species thrive in this protected area with majority that you may not find in any part of the country. Kidepo valley national park lies at an altitude of 914 – 2749 metres with its main habitats mainly comprising of the semi-arid scrub, vast thorn scrub, thorn bush, long and short grass open tree savannahs, riparian woodland that includes borassus and kigelia woodland, thick miombo like woodland montane forest and granite out crops.
With a checklist of about 480 Bird species with the country’s checklist of residents of northern Uganda and Kenya and endemics to kidepo region. The park consists of the Kanangarok a luke warm permanent hot spring situated in the distant Northern region of the park near the border of South Sudan. It is the permanent water source in the park and wildlife animals transfer here to drink.
The park is dominated with Montane forest, grassy plains, thick miombo-like woodlands, open tree Savannah vegetation due to the variations in rainfall i.e annual averages of 89 centimetres (35 in) in Narus and 64 centimetres (25 in) in the Kidepo basin with wildlife animals that inhabit both regions of the park. The vegetation in the Narus Valley are shorter red oat grass and taller bunchy Guinea grass as well as fine thatching grass. In the drier regions of the park are red thorn acacias, drumstick trees and desert dates where as the wet areas comprise of sausage trees and fan palms.
River Kidepo is a very relevant source of water during the semi desert climate due to the multitudes of wildlife animals that visit the River to sip water and these include; spotted hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, Cape buffaloes, bat-eared foxes, Rothschild’s giraffes and about 500 bird species. There are also Streams in the park dotted with palms.
Best time to Visit Kidepo valley national park
Best Periods to Visit Kidepo valley national park are: March – April for all the specials and many transit migrants, although good all year round. The Park has a semi-arid climate with just one light rainy season per year (April to September). The Valley of the Narus River in the south of the park receives some 890mm of Rain per year.
Tourists activities / attractions in Kidepo valley national parks
Game drives in Kidepo valley national park.
Game drives is the major and most exciting activity in Kidepo valley national park. Game drives are mostly done in Narus valley where so many animals and birds can be spotted. Kidepo is gem when it comes to wildlife viewing. Some of the animals found here to mention but fewer include: lions,cheetahs,elephants,leopards,buffaloes,warthogs,bushbucks,hartebeest,zebras,spotted-hyena,mountainReedbuck,klipspringer,giraffes,oryx,gazelles,black-tippedjackal,Aardwolf,caracal,Bat-eared-fox,oribi,elands,Uganda kob and primates like patas monkeys, Black-white colobus monkeys and olive baboons among others. These are amazing to all travelers looking to experience Africa’s prime wildlife safaris as they watch wildlife wandering and enjoying their natural Vegetation habitat.
The Narus Valley in the park has most of the wildlife animals in big numbers and you are advised to visit the park for the game drive at 6:00 am in the morning as well as late afternoon at 4:00 pm. along the trails park rangers will take you around showing you where the various wildlife animals. You can view lions relaxed on various rocks as well as other animals like the elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, ostrich, buffalo, Kavirondo bush baby.
Birding in Kidepo valley National park.
Kidepo valley national park is a birding paradise, sheltering some of the world’s rarest birds. The park is home to over 400 species of birds. Some of these include; Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apalis, Verreaux’s Eagle, Egyptian Vulture and Pygmy Falcon, Silverbird and small bands of Yellow-billed Shrike, Vinaceous Dove, Hoopoe, Nubian Woodpecker, Mosque Swallow, the Ruppell’s and Superb Starlings, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Little Weaver and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Vinaceous Dove, Hoopoe, Nubian Woodpecker, the Ruppell’s, Yellow-rumped Seedeater, Clapperton’s Francolin, Black Coucal, African Moustached and the Broad-tailed Warblers. Ostriches are prominently spotted around the beautiful Kanangorok Hot Springs.
The Abyssinian Ground, Eastern Yellow and Jackson’s Hornbills, Red-fronted and Black-breasted Barbets, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Singing Bush lark, Red-winged Lark, Ethiopian Swallow, the Pied, Isabelline and Heuglin’s Wheaters, African Grey Flycatcher, Foxy and Red pate Cisticolas, Karamoja Apalis, White-bellied Tit, Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit, Northern White-crowned and Yellow-billed Shrikes, Slate-coloured Boubou, Fan-tailed Raven, Superb Starling, Red billed Oxpecker, Eastern Violet backed, Pygmy and Beautiful Sunbirds etc.
Karangorok hot springs.
The karangorok hot springs are located 11kilometres past Kidepo River along the Sudan boarder in the extreme North of the park. It’s the most permanent source of water in the park and marvellous place to sit down and observe mountains far past the frontier.
Cultural Encounters
Kidepo National park offers remarkable cultural encounters as you visit and discover the Lorokul Cultural Group who are the cattle herding Karamajong who occupy the distant North Eastern region of Uganda. Visit the Lorukul Cultural Group located outside the park to learn the traditions & culture of these amazing people. Herding livestock / traditional pastoralism is their main activity and their social, cultural way of life is fully explained when you go visiting them. explore the Karamajong Manyattas-Homesteads to learn about their traditional norms, beliefs and dances, cattle enclosures as well as granaries. Get involved into their culture as you learn how to make their unique beads, local meals, crafts like stools, knives, bows and arrows and jewellery talk to the Karamajong King who will inform you more about their beliefs and customs from previous generation. Visitors can also visit the Ik People to discover the culture and traditions of this remote tribe, one of the most reclusive tribes in Uganda who still live in a very traditional way in a relative seclusion high atop Morungole mountain and be amazed about the beautiful Kidepo River Valley which flows between the banks of borassus palm forest.
Away from the Manyattas, the crowning moment of a visit to this community is the dance by the Ikarangole dance group. Prepare to interface with the natives as they dance, jump to the skies and getting closer to you in entertainment. Community engagement is one of the activities that will leave tourists charmed by Kidepo.
Hiking and Nature Walks in Kidepo valley national park.
Kidepo National Park offers amazing Mountain climbing and Hiking activity for those interested in this activity. The hikes are on foot and on routes that range from one day walks to extended hikes over several days with the help of guides. Along the way you see the interesting and unique flora and fauna, caves, gorges and animals of all kinds that don’t need to be disturbed.
The Morungule range and hikes to the Lomej Mountains take a period of 4 hours and starts in the morning at 7:00 am where as the shorter guided walks through the Narus Valley take about 2 hours stretching over 5 kilometers from the Apoka Tourism Center. The Narus Valley comprises of the only permanent water points in Kidepo valley National park. This makes it a perfect location for spotting big game congregation for most of the year.
The hike to the Kidepo River Valley takes you between the banks of the beautiful Borassus palm forest offering unique views at nature. The hike to the Namamkweny Valley is also remarkable for it requires 1 hour from Apoka.
Where to stay while at Kidepo National Park
Kidepo national park offers guests a wide range of accommodation options ranging from High-end, luxury, and mid-range to low budget. Apoka Safari lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Kidepo Savannah lodge and Nga Moru Wilderness Camp
The Park can be reached by both air and Road
By road, the park is situated North West of Moroto and North East of Kampala Capital City. Driving to the Park is rewarding, However Road Conditions in the park during rainy season can be difficult and a 4 WD Vehicle is Essential.
Different routes can be taken to reach Kidepo National park.
Eastern route through the Karamoja region
There are various entry points from the south via Mbale / Mt Elgon or Sipi Falls via Nakapiripirit to Moroto and connecting with Kotido, Kaabong and Kidepo Valley National Park. A longer route can be taken from Mbale / Mt Elgon to Soroti and via Iriiri to Moroto northwards.
• Kampala-Mbale-Nakapiripirit-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo (740km. 12 hours)
• Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo (792km, 13 hours)
Western route. This is the quickest and most popular route from Kampala to kidepo
When you prefer to take the western route to and from Kidepo Valley National Park, we recommend to drive via Gulu and Kitgum. Common stops on this route are Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• Kampala-Karuma-Gulu-Kitgum-Kidepo (571km, 10 hours)
• Kampala-Karuma-Lira-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo (705km, 12 hours)
By Air, Aerolink Uganda limited operates scheduled and chartered flights to Kidepo valley national park from Entebbe airport and Kajansi airfield to Kidepo airport or Apoka airstrip.
