Kidepo Valley National Park
Nestled in the wild frontier region of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is apparently the most isolated national park in Uganda but still stands out to be one of the best virgin places every wildlife viewer can ever visit in Uganda. This virgin national park is undoubtedly among the best wilderness areas in Africa, harboring a couple of extinct species of wildlife that can't be found in any other Ugandan national park.
Kidepo is right at the core of a Savannah landscape right next to a few mountainous bodies. The reasons for planning your safari here are endless, something you will definitely see when you set foot on Uganda's soil. Besides the exceptional wildlife safari experience, this national park is another great spot for a cultural trail especially to those who would like to see the Karamojongs, Acholis plus other great tribes. Some of the other exciting tourism activities in the wilderness of this area include nature walks, birding and hiking. The outstanding lodging / accommodation options of Apoka safari lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Nga'Moru Wilderness camp coupled along with the cool environment, exceptional views of the Savannah grasslands plus so many more attractions, Kidepo Valley National Park was truly gifted by nature.
Kidepo national park is a true gem with huge abundance in wildlife. It remains a true rendition of tourism in Uganda but remains unknown to many! Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted into a national park in the year 1962 and currently hosts over 75 species of mammals and 470 species of birds. All these fall in a prime game viewing location. This national park is situated in Kaabong district in Northeastern Uganda. By estimate, it is about 510 Kilometers by road form Kampala – Uganda’s capital and Moroto is apparently the largest town in the sub region. Being named the 3rd best national park in Africa, this national park is definitely a must visit for any traveler to Uganda.
Languages spoken | English, Germany, French, Swahilli, Spanish, Chinese |
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Currency used | UGX / USD / GBP / EURO |
Area (km2) | 1,442 Sq Km |
Country name | Uganda |
Things To Do
Kidepo Valley is in the remote northeast corner of the country. The park has a true wilderness feel and is a great destination for the adventurous traveler. It has excellent wildlife viewing during the Dry season, featuring several species not encountered anywhere else in the country.
The park has a very impressive mammals list. Twenty species of predator are resident, and several don't exist in any other Ugandan park (including cheetah and black-backed jackal). Lion is common and leopard also occurs. Elephant, Burchell's zebra, buffalo and Rothschild's giraffe are all regularly seen, but black rhino has recently become extinct. Twelve antelope species are present – some of which don't occur anywhere else in the country.
Two valleys (Kidepo Valley and Narus Valley) on either side of predominantly mountainous terrain dominate the park. There are wide, sweeping views of the Narus Valley from many vantage points. Open grassland is interspersed with acacia trees, desert dates and rocky outcrops.
Game Safaris
The park has arguably the most diverse savannah fauna of any park in the country. It is particularly rich in predators, including lion, leopard, cheetah and bat-eared fox. Black-backed and side-striped jackal are both present. There are large herds of buffalo. Twelve antelope species occur in the park, including Jackson's hartebeest, oribi, eland, Uganda kob and klipspringer.
Kidepo Valley National Park is home to an amazing variety of wildlife, with 28 of its resident species not found in any other Ugandan park. The park has seen an amazing recovery of mammal species in the recent years and has a healthy population of large mammals, including the elephant. Other large species that can be spotted regularly are zebras, warthogs, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, reedbucks and waterbucks. Lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and black-backed and side-striped jackals are some of the carnivores residing within the park, and cheetahs can only be seen in this Ugandan park.
Kidepo usually offers excellent lion and elephant sightings. Herds of up 1,000 buffalo are often encountered. Cheetah are seen with increasing frequency, and it is home to many dry-country species, among them caracal, aardwolf, greater and lesser kudu, mountain reedbuck and Guenther's dik-dik. Five primate species are present, including the localized patas monkey. Lucky visitors might spot the endangered Rothschild's giraffe.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The best time for wildlife viewing is the middle and end of the Dry season (November to February) when animals concentrate around reliable water sources. During the Wet season (April to August) animals disperse from the valleys and move to higher ground, where they are more difficult to locate.
Birding
Kidepo Valley has a very impressive bird list of more than 470 species, the second-highest population of any Ugandan reserve, following only Queen Elizabeth National Park. Sixty birds on its list haven’t been recorded in any other Ugandan park. No comprehensive survey has been done, so visitors could easily see some species not previously recorded for the park. Kidepo is especially good for spotting raptors, with 56 species on record. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders
(E) endemic = only lives in Uganda
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries
- Abyssinian roller
- Abyssinian scimitarbill
- Black-breasted barbet
- Chestnut weaver
- D’Arnaud's barbet
- Fox kestrel
- Golden pipit
- Greater kestrel
- Jackson's hornbill
- Karamoja apalis (NE)
- Northern carmine bee-eater
- Purple grenadier
- Pygmy falcon
- Red-throated bee-eater
- Rose-ringed parakeet
- Rufous chatterer
- White-bellied go-away bird
Best Time for Bird Watching
The birdlife in Kidepo is good year-round, but at its best from March to April for all the specials and the many migrants. November to February has the least rain, while June to August has more. Rain shouldn’t be too much of a problem in this semi-arid part of the country. Migratory birds are in the valley from November to April. For wildlife viewing, the middle and end of the Dry season (November to February) are best.
Adventure Touring
Apoka Tourism Centre
Overlooking the game-rich Narus Valley and home to an upmarket lodge and simple UWA-run cottages, Apoka is the park’s tourism hub. Ranger guides are stationed at Apoka to escort tourists on game drives and walks. For those without their own transport, park trucks can be hired.
There is a craft shop with books and souvenirs; bottled water, sodas and alcoholic beverages can also be purchased here. Food is cooked on request and cooking gas and utensils can be hired by individuals who wish to cook for themselves.
Narus Valley
Narus Valley is a rolling, grassland plain enclosed by distant mountains. The valley has permanent water, and for much of the year the park’s wildlife congregates here. Thus, the area is well provided with game tracks, with four loop circuits exploring the valley around Apoka. Many creatures such as lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffaloes, giraffes, oribis and reedbucks can be seen in the valley.
Less commonly seen are cheetahs and leopards. The Narus dam and the water hole near the Tourism Centre are perfect observation points for game, especially during the dry season. At the southern end of the Katurum loop, Katurum kopje (the site of a derelict lodge) is an attractive destination with superb views north across the valley towards the Morungule mountain range.
Kidepo Valley and Kanangorok Hot Springs
For most of the year, a lack of surface water means that little wildlife is found in Kidepo Valley, though it is still worth the drive to visit the dry Kidepo River to stroll along its 50m wide bed of white sand between banks covered with borassus palms. Kidepo means to pick from below and the valley was visited by people coming to gather fallen borassus fruit for fermenting to make palm beer. The Kanangorok Hot Springs lie 11km beyond the Kidepo River on the Sudan border. This is a glorious place to sit and view the mountains beyond the frontier.
Mount Morungule
Mount Morungole stands at 2,750m and is crossed by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers that nourish the park’s wildlife and this natural habitat as a whole. The Morungole Range marks the southern boundary of the park and rises from the plains a few kilometres northeast of Apoka. This region can be explored on foot with a ranger. The mountain slopes are home to the IK people, the smallest ethnic group in Uganda, with their own unique culture.
Namamukweny Valley
Namamukweny is a Napore word meaning a place with no birds or a lonely place with few people – though regarding the birds, quite the opposite is true! The valley is inhabited by a large number of bird species such as the Eastern Paradise Whydah, White-crested Turaco, Common Bulbul, Abyssinian Roller and Green Wood Hoopoe among others. It is located in the north-west of the park and can be accessed by car or on foot.
Lomej Hills
The Lomej Hills are a short drive from the headquarters. They are a good viewing point for birds and wildlife, including the mountain reedbuck.
Lonyili Mountain
Lying between Kitgum and the Sudan border, Lonyili Mountain is largely covered in montane forest and home to primates such as colobus monkeys. Due to poor conditions in this area the road is currently out of use. There are plans to repair it – you are strongly advised to contact UWA for updates before embarking on your journey to the mountain.
Cultural & Community Encounters
Combine your Kidepo Valley Safari with a unique insight into Uganda’s last traditional living communities called the ‘Ik’ and guided by experienced indigenous guides.
The Ik tribe are former hunters gatherers who today live on the extreme northeastern corner of the country. They currently successfully practice farming and bee-keeping and are known for their love for the environment and their cultural heritage.
Counting only 7,000 people, the people still speak their ancestral language and practice their traditional culture and traditions. Travellers need to travel a distance to visit the IK, as reward you receive rare insight into a unique tribe in Africa.
You will find stunningly beautiful Scenery the higher your climb takes you, simply breathtaking scenes in the valleys below you and into the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya and over to Southern Sudan.
A Night with Karimojong Warrior Nomads
Experience well known Karimojong pastoral life by sleeping a night with former Karimojong Warrior Nomads and nowadays passionate cattle herders in the Kraal. Help bringing the cows to the kraal, milking the cow, herding, learn how to identify local greens, experience traditions as spearing a cow for blood to drink and eat roasted and get your own Karimojong name.
Get a first hand impression of Uganda’s last living cultures guided by passionate and experienced guides. Experience traditional life and domestic duties in the village thats lead by the famously strong women of Karamoja.
Best Time to Visit
The prime time to see wildlife in Kidepo Valley National Park is during the Dry season (September to March). Kidepo is, however, located in a semi-arid region and can be visited throughout the year. The Wet season months (April to August) are pleasantly less hot and bring beautiful scenery. Bird watching is at its best at this time as well.
The climate in Kidepo Valley National Park is semi-arid. Droughts are common. Temperatures can reach as high as 40°C/104°F, but average around 29°C/84°F in the afternoon and 17°C/63°F at night. There is one Wet season (differing from two Wet seasons in most of the country) from April to August.
Dry Season–September to March
- September, October & November – It might still rain some days as the Wet season transitions into the Dry season. It is getting warmer, with average temperatures of about 29°C/84°F in the afternoon and 17°C/63°F in the morning.
- December, January & February – There is almost no rain, and it gets drier and hotter. January and February are the warmest months with daytime temperatures of 32°C/90°F and morning temperatures of 18°C/64°F. Peak temperatures can easily rise to 40°C/104°F.
- March – It is still dry, but the first rains will break the heat and settle the dust.
Wet Season–April to August
- April, May, June, July & August – Afternoon showers should be expected. When compared to the Wet seasons of the parks in the south, there isn't a lot of rainfall. The lowest yearly temperatures are experienced, but the daytime still averages around 27°C/81°F, with morning temperatures around 17°C/63°F.
Season | Months | Description |
Best Time | September to March | Dry Seasons, easier to spot animals |
High Season | September to March | The park rarely gets crowded |
Low Season | April, May | There are fewer people in the park, Some Lodges may close |
Best Weather | September, October & November | End of the rains and beginning of the Dry season |
Worst Weather | December to February | It is very hot and dusty |
September to March –Dry Season
- Wildlife viewing is easier as animals tend to seek out reliable water sources and vegetation thins
- It is sunny with few cloudy days
- Skies are hazy and the views are not so great
- It is very arid and dusty
April to August –Wet Season
- Even though animals are easier to spot in the Dry season, you'll still see a decent amount of wildlife
- Migratory birds can be found, and birding is at its best
- The scenery is lush and green, and the air is crisp
- The heat is less oppressive
- Animals disperse from the valleys, moving to higher ground where they are more difficult to locate
Adere Safari Lodge
A gorgeous safari lodge perched on the edge of Kidepo Valley National ParkA gorgeous safari lodge perched on the edge of Kidepo Valley National Park
Apoka Rest Camp
Fine Budget Camp in Kidepo Valley National ParkUt enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.
Apoka Safari Lodge
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Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Being just 500 mt away from Kalokudo gate, the lodge is literally on a stone’s throw from the park. It offers unparalled vistas of the expansive Narus Valley, Mount Morungole and the distant mountain ranges which form the border with Southern Sudan.Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip.