Kidepo national park

Kidepo national park is nestled in the wild frontier region of Uganda. Kidepo national park is one of the most isolated national parks in the country but still stands out to one of the best virgin places every wildlife viewer can ever visit while in Uganda while on a Uganda safari. The virgin national park is undoubtably among the best wilderness areas in Africa harbouring a couple of extinct species of wildlife that can be found in any other Ugandan national park.

Kidepo is right the core of a savanna landscape right next to a few mountainous bodies. The reasons for planning your Uganda safari here at Kidepo are endless, something you will definitely love to see when you step on Uganda’s soil. Besides the exceptional wild life safari experience, Kidepo is another spot for cultural experience especially those who would like to see the Karamojong’s, Acholi’s plus other great tribes of Northern Uganda.

 Kidepo is a true gem with huge abundance in wildlife. It remains true definition of tourism in Uganda but remains unknown to many. Kidepo National Park was gazetted in 1962 and currently hosts 75 species of mammals and 470 species of birds. All these falls in a prime game viewing location’s national park is situated in Kaabong district in the North Eastern Uganda. By estimate, it is about 510 kilometres by road form from Kamapala-Uganda’s capital city and Moroto is the largest town in the sub region. It is the 3rd best national park in the country, it should be a must visit to every traveller in Uganda.

ATTRACTIONS IN KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK

Apoka Tourism centre

Overlooking the game rich Narus valley and home to an upmarket lodge and a 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

Narus valley

Narus valley is the rolling grassland plain enclosed by distant mountains. The valley has permanent water, and for much of the year the the park’s wild life congregate there. 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, 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 the game, especially during the dry season. At the Southern end of the Katurum loop, Katurum Kopje (the site of derelict lodge) is an attractive destination with superb views north across the valley towards the Morungale mountain range.

Kidepo valley and Kanangorok Hot springs

For most of the year, a lack of surface water means that wildlife is found in Kidepo national park, though it is still worth the drive to visit t the dry kidepo river to walk along its 50m wide bed of white sand between banks covered with Borassus palms. the kanangorok hot springs lie 11km beyond the kidepo river on Sudan border. This is a glorious place to sit and view the mountains beyond the frontier.

Mountain Morungole

Mountain Morungole stands at 2750m and is crossed by the Kidepo and Narus rivers that nourish the parks wildlife and this is a natural habitat as a whole .The Morungale range marks the Southern boundary of the park and rises from 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 unique culture all to thrill.

Namumukweny valley :This 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 bulbil ,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 points for birds and wildlife including the mountain reedbuck.

Lonyili mountains

Lying between Kitgum and the Sudan boarder, Lonyili mountain is largely covered in Morungole forest and home to primates such as colobus monkeys

Activities in Kidepo National Park

Game viewing; viewing herds of different game while driving in vehicles on dirty roads that crisscross the southern and western parts of the park

Game drives in kidepo valley national park: These are done in the comfort of a 4WD safari vehicle with a professional guide who will help you spot different animals. Game drives in Kidepo   valley national park are done in different groups as explained below

Morning game drives:

these are usually doe early in the morning at around 6 am . During the morning game drives you will have high chances of sighting a wide range of animal when they are most active .You will be able to view elephants ,giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, Uganda cobs ,elands, oribi ,Jackson’s, hartebeest , klipspringer , leopards, cheetahs, lesser kudus , bat eared foxes among others which will be grazing in open savannah plains with due view predators like lions, leopards. cheetahs, bat eared fox, side stripped jackal if you are lucky. Bird species among others. During the drive you can also visit Kanangarok hot springs where you will enjoy spectacular views of the mountains

Evening game drive which starts after lunch at about 2 pm and during the game ride, you will be able to visit the Narus valley which has permanent water sources that attract large concentrations of wildlife especially during the dry season. During the game drive in Narus valley, you will able to view   animals like buffaloes, giraffes, reedbucks among others

Night games: these are conducted after dinner, during the night game drives you will be accompanied by the park guide who will help you spot nocturnal animals and spotlight torches for clear viewing. you will be able to spot nocturnal animals like caracal, leopards, cheetah etc

Nature walks /hiking kidepo valley national park:

This gives visitors an opportunity to explore the park on foot. During the walks you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who is well conversant with walking trails in the park and an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. nature walks in Kidepo Valley National Park are conducted in Narus Valley, kidepo plains which lead you to Morungole mountains where you meet the IK people

Bird watching; Kidepo Valley National Park is a home of more than 475 recorded bird species, migratory ones which makes it one of the most birding areas in Uganda. the birds to watch include seed eater, scarlet chested sunbird, ostrich, black breasted barbet among others

Cultural encounters in Kidepo Valley National Park

Cultural encounters give you an opportunity to interact with the local people such as Karimojong who live in the neighbouring villages and the IK people who live on top of the Morungale mountain. During the cultural encounter, you will be able to learn about their culture, lifestyle, history way of living, visit their locally built Manyatta homesteads, learn how to make their traditional instruments like beads, spears and stools.

Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo valley national park can visited all year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. The dry season is the best time for game viewing in that vegetation which helps to have clear view of animals. During the dry season, animals gather around the water bodies to drink water which, makes wildlife viewing much easier

Kidepo valley national park can be also visited during the wet season during the months of march to may and November. During the wet season you will be able to enjoy the park with few crowds and bird lovers will get an opportunity to spot a variety of bird species including migratory birds.

The best way to get to Kidepo Valley National Park is by a chartered flight which are arranged from Kampala (kajjansi), Kampala Aeroclub or Entebbe with Eagle Aviation. Flights take 2 hours

The visitors should contact UWA headquarters or the Apoka Lodges operator to obtain up to date road conditions and identify the preferred route particularly if considering an approach through Karamoja.

Conclusion

It should be top tier to come and experience the beauty of an oasis in the semi desert which is the third largest national park.” true African wilderness”.