Nestled strategically along the Sudanese border in northeastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is among the best and most remarkable national parks in the country. Covering an amazing 1,442 square kilometers, it boasts amazing scenery unrivaled by any other wildlife park in East Africa. Tourists who manage to travel the long distance to visit the Kidepo Valley National Park often find themselves amazed by the beauty, frequently declaring, “It couldn’t get any better,” and many of them come back to experience the park’s wonders once more.
Giraffe Walking in Kidepo Valley National Park
Situated in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda, the park offers breathtaking savannah landscapes that stretch to rugged horizons. Its vast latitudinal range and diverse climatic conditions have nurtured an exceptionally varied flora, as a result, the variety of animal species in the park is equally abundant including the unique species that can only be found in this part of the country.
The vegetation within Kidepo Valley National Park is characterized by expansive open tree Savannah, offering a considerable variation in both structure and composition. Mountain forests are mainly found in some high-altitude areas in the park, while dense Acacia geradi forests dominate the regions along the Lorupei River.
Throughout the park, the landscape is adorned with small hills, rocky outcrops, and inselbergs, offering amazing panoramic views in every direction. Taking a game drive in the park rewards as vast stretches of Karamoja that offer scenic beauty and pristine wilderness. However, tourists planning to visit Kidepo Valley National Park should be aware that road conditions can be challenging at times, and it is advisable to use 4-wheel drive vehicles (4WD).
What to do in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game Viewing in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game Drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game driving is the best and most common activity because the park is blessed with a remarkable diversity of animal species, surpassing the diversity found in other national parks in the country. In 1971, out of the 80 mammal species listed, 28 were found only in Kidepo Valley National Park. Among the carnivores unique to Kidepo and the Karamoja region are the bat-eared fox, aardwolf, striped hyena, caracal, cheetah, and hunting dog. Additionally, less common ungulates such as the greater and lesser kudu, klipspringer, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, dik-dik, and bright gazelle grace the park, though species like the beisa oryx and roan antelope have suffered significant depletion due to poaching in recent years.
Among the common ungulates are elephants, bush pig, Burchell’s zebra, warthog, Cape buffalo, Rothschild giraffe, eland, bushbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, Defassa waterbuck, bush duiker, Bohor reedbuck, and oribi. The park is also home to five primate species, including the endemic Kavirondo bush baby. Carnivores are abundant in Kidepo Valley National Park and include lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, several small cats, black-backed jackals, and side-striped jackals, with jackals being relatively easy to spot.
On a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park, you likely spot lions perched atop sausage trees in Narus Valley or lounging on rocks near the entrance of the Apoka Park Headquarters. Alongside the lions, a variety of wildlife can be seen in the park including elephants, bush duikers, leopards, bushbucks, jackals, bush pigs, kavirondo bush babies, and buffalo. Some lucky visitors even catch glimpses of these animals from the veranda of Apoka Rest Camp.
Birding in Kidepo Valley National Park
Abyssinia Ground hornbill in Kidepo National Park
For bird lovers, the park is believed to be a haven for bird lovers boasting over 465 different species of bird. The ostrich and the Kori bustard are particularly noteworthy, commonly found in arid regions.
Kidepo Valley National Park stands out for its variety of birds of prey. Among the 58 species recorded in the park, 14 are thought to be endemic to the park and the Karamoja region. Notable examples include Egyptian vulture, Verreaux’s eagle, and pygmy falcon. Additionally, the park is believed to be a safe home to four different species of hornbills, including the yellow-billed, red-billed, and Jackson’s hornbill, which are unique to Kidepo. The giant Abyssinia ground hornbill is also frequently sighted.
Hiking and Scenery Viewing
You can enjoy a thrilling hike within the Lamoj Mountains, merely a few kilometers away from the Park Headquarters. Additionally, tourists can explore the breathtaking Kidepo River Valley, characterized by a lush Borassus palm forest. Although the park is mostly dry almost all year round, the park boasts a wide and flatbed, offering an amazing sight. About 10 kilometers from the Kidepo River Valley lie the Kanangorok Hot Springs, an amazing natural wonder to explore on your visit to Kidepo Valley National Park.
The park’s landscape, which includes mountains and savannah, is nothing short of spectacular. Found in the southwestern part of the park is the Narus Valley, bordered by the rugged Napore-Nyagia mountain range to the west. To the northeast, the Natira and Lokayot Hills serve as a demarcation between the Narus Valley and the Kidepo Valley.
Cultural Performance
Cultural Performance
The local community around the park has a vibrant ensemble of cultural entertainers who are always available to perform on request; these performers eagerly step forth, offering a diverse array of traditional dances that delve deep into the rich tapestry of our heritage. From the spirited Emuya of the Naporre to the graceful Nyangia, from the dynamic rhythms of the Larakaraka to the enchanting movements of the Apiti dances of the Acholi, a captivating journey through our cultural legacy awaits.
Beyond the joy they bring to the guests, these performances serve a noble purpose. The earnings garnered by this group after performing are not merely for personal gain but are dedicated to the betterment of their welfare. Each clap, each cheer, and each contribution made in appreciation resonates in uplifting their lives, ensuring their continued dedication to preserving and sharing the essence of their traditions.
Embarking on a cultural safari in Kidepo Valley National Park includes meeting with tribes around the park that offer a rich tapestry of cultural experiences deeply intertwined with the region’s natural beauty. Among the prominent tribes are the Karamojong, Ik, and the neighboring tribes of the Dodoth and the Matheniko.
Nature Walk
Where to stay in Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Savannah Lodge
The lodge is strategically located just a few kilometers from the Kalokudo gate of the park and it’s the perfect accommodation option for tourists planning to visit the park. It offers unparalleled amazing views of the expansive Narus Valley, Mount Morungole, and the distant mountain ranges that form the border with Southern Sudan.
