Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s primeval tourism destinations. Found in the far northeastern corner and sharing borders with Kenya and South Sudan, the park is acknowledged by many as a top tourism destination in Africa a fact that was reinstated by CNN. Reserved as a national park in 1962, the park stretches over a 1442 square kilometers of rich savannah, acacia and montane forest that results in a variety of mammals, bird and reptile species residing in the park

 

Kidepo experiences semi-arid climate which makes it dry all year round with only one rainy season annually from April to September and it’s usually light. The Narus river valley is the permanent water place in the park and this attracts most game to concentrate in the valley. Park residents range from about 470 bird types, up to 86 animal species including buffalo, lion, cheetah, elephants, giraffe, common eland, jackals and African hunting dogs as well as the stunning savannah grasslands rolling to the far horizons offering a spectacular site for game watching.

 

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK

 

Exhilarating game drives

 

Kidepo valley national park offers mainly three(3) exciting game drives which happen in the morning, afternoon and nocturnal drives through the park. Morning drives usually start at 6:00 am and is listed as the best time for game drive as most animals are very active at this time trying to fill their bellies and recharge for the day.

 

Here you will encounter numerous species especially grazers like elephants, the largest herds of buffalo in the world, giraffes, antelopes and their predators following close by; including lions, cheetahs and if lucky even the elusive leopard.

 

Afternoon game drives

 

These are normally held at 2:00pm after your refreshing lunchbreak and it will take you across the Narus river valley that has the only permanent water sources in the park where you will meet large concentrations of mammals more so during the dry season. This game drive will introduce you to large herds of buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, waterbucks and antelopes with sightings of cats like lions, cheetahs and leopards as they rest trying to hide from the extreme afternoon heat.

 

Nocturnal game drives

 

After dinner, visitors can arrange a night game drive with the main purpose of catching the nocturnal species in action especiallyleopards, hyenas, wild dogs, aardwolf and striped jackals to list a few. This is more exciting as it’s enhanced with spotlight for perfect views even at night.

 

Cultural experiences

 

Visitors in Kidepo national park have an opportunity to engagein culture encounters were they can relish the rich culture of the ethnic tribes that reside in the park. Visits to either the Karamajongs or even the more secluded IK who are still living a typical life of fruit gathering and hunting on the foothills of mount. Morungole. Interact with these curious locals who will entertain you with their traditional dance and songs. You will be enriched more after learning about their history, way of living in homesteads called Manyattas.

 

You can easily acquire yourself a few beautiful souvenirs from them to carry memories from your encounter with some of the intriguing cultures on the African continent.

 

Bird watching

 

The park is a haven for over 475 bird species and though overlooked the park holds a spot as one of the best leading sites to bird watch in Uganda. The park boasts of savannah, a few endemic and rare migratory bird species that can either be met on game drives and nature walks in the park. Species like ostrich, Karamoja apalis, kori bustard, red billed oxpecker, black breasted barbet, secretary birds and numerous others that leaves birding lovers with guaranteed satisfaction on a bird watching safari in Kidepo.

 

Best time to visit Kidepo national park

 

Kidepo valley national park is a suited for all year visitations and better recommended for during the dry months of February, January, December, September, august, July and finally June. These months offer the best safaris in Kidepo due to thinner vegetation and higher concentration of animals in the Narus valley where they can get to water more easily.

 

The park is more ideal for birding in the rainy season;during months of March through May and November. During this season, birders can meet more species with addition of migratory species from other different countries. This season also gives a chance to guests who preferexclusivity and privacy as the park receives fewer visitors at this time of the year.

 

Plan a trip in Kidepo and experience one of the remaining true and pristine wildernesses on the African continent. 

Related Destinations

lion standing

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth national park is one of Uganda’s vibrant parks and enjoys a bigger percentage of tourists who come to Uganda planning a visit to this splendid park. The park has a rich…

View Tour

murchison falls

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls national park is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda located in north-western Uganda covering an area of 3,840 square Kilometres. This park is known to be…

View Tour

mount elgon crater lake

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount. Elgon national park is a unique game park shared by 2 east African countries - Uganda and Kenya. The park gets its name from the special Mount Elgon, an ancient extinct volcano…

View Tour

young leopard in serengeti park

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is the oldest national park in Tanzania and holds a spot among the largest wildlife parks on the African continent. The park is found in eastern Mara Region,…

View Tour

Lizard in Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori National Park is one of the ten gazetted national parks in Uganda. The park stretches over an area of 996 square kilometers sharing borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo…

View Tour

ngorongoro game drive

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro conservation area is among the conservation areas under UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Ngorongoro district, west of Arusha city in northern Tanzania. This conservation…

View Tour

gorilla scratching his shoulder

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Have you been passionate about or had any questions in line with gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, birding or so many other adventures? Mgahinga gorilla national park has got all…

View Tour

Nyungwe forest National Park

Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest national parks not only in Rwanda but also in the entire East African region. The park traces its origin as early as 1903 when the then…

View Tour

gray crested crane

Gishwati Mukura National Park

When it comes to unique and new African safari experiences, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is of no doubt one exceptional place any nature lover should look out for. Established in 2015,…

View Tour

buffalo in bush

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is one of the most recently gazzeted game parks in Uganda located in the western district of Bundibugyo along the foothills of Mount. Rwenzori. Upgraded to…

View Tour

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is one of the oldest and most famous parks on the African continent. This is attributed to the fact that it is one of the few stronghold destinations hosting ¼…

View Tour

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the tiniest game park of all the ten gazetted national parks in Uganda. This hidden savannah gem is found 240 km west of Kampala in Kiruhura District in…

View Tour

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a very important park found in Kanungu district - southwestern region of Uganda. This Park is situated on the edge of AlbertineRift Valley and shares…

View Tour

kibale-national-park primates

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is among the best rewarding destinations in Uganda to explore. Endowed with varied and rich landscapes of rainforest, swamp, and patches of savanna interposed…

View Tour

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park

The oldest national park in Africa, formerly known as Albert National Park, is located in central part of Africa. The Albertine Rift in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of…

View Tour

Masai Mara National Park

Masai Mara National Park

Located 270 kilometers south of Nairobi - one of Kenya's most dynamic towns, the Masai Mara is unquestionably one of Africa's most popular safari destinations. Choose it for a holiday…

View Tour

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi - Biega National Park was upgraded to national park status in 1970 to safeguard endangered wildlife species and especially the eastern lowland gorillas, Africa's top safari…

View Tour

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park

With the highest number of African elephants in Kenya, Amboseli is a true African wilderness, a vacation to this wildlife center is incomparable and incredibly gratifying, with the…

View Tour

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

Explore Akagera National Park, Rwanda's lone haven for animals, big cats, birds and savanna grassland, which is bordered on one side by Uganda and Tanzania on the other side. Akagera…

View Tour