The rugged isolated wilderness of the Kidepo Valley National Park ranks as one of Africa’s most prized, less explored destinations. Here, over 77 mammals and around 475 bird species find shelter amidst a pristine savannah lansdcape, broken by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers.
The park covers an area of 1,442 square kilometres (557 sq mi) in the Karamoja region in northeast Uganda. It was gazetted as a game reserve by the British colonial government in 1958, and the people were evicted. The Ketebo or Mening are the original inhabitants of the area, who had been living here since 1800 however in 1962, the newly independent government of Uganda under Milton Obote converted the reserve into the Kidepo Valley National Park.
Things to do while in the park
Game viewing.
Despite the fact that kidpeo valley national park is less visited, it offers the best destination for game viewing. The activity takes about 2-3 hours and involves 4×4 WD vehicle searching for various wildlife species in their habitants. The park is a home of 77 wildlife species which include spotted hyena, lion, cheetah, African leopard, African wild dog, African bush elephant, giraffe, zebra, African buffalo, bat-eared fox, Rothschild’s giraffe, and many more. Game viewing can be done early morning or evening hours where early raciers and graciers are spotted respectively.
Bird watching
Kidepo valley national park is birding paradise for bird lover. The park is a home of 475 bird species which some are endemic and others are migrates. Some of these birds include Ostrich, Kori bustard, red and yellow barbet, Karamoja Apalis, pygmy falcon, white bellied go away bird, red throated bee-eater, Jacksons hornbill, black breasted barbet, chestnut weaver among others. During birding, birders will foot searching for various bird species as they are not only rewarded with birds but also with mammal species and plant species. Birding activity may take full day or half day and birders are advised to pack binoculars, cameras, insect repellent, rain coat, comfortable hiking boots, long trousers, long t-shirts, water &snacks and many more.
Nature walks
Nature walk is an activity that involves footing into wilderness or to nearby local communities surrounding the park. The activity requires visitors participating in it to be physically fit. The activity will take about 2-3 hours and visitors will be led into kidepo valley national park by rangers as they get a chance to reach where vehicles couldn’t reach as well as getting a chance to be closer to mammal species. During the activity, visitors will spot bird species, mammals species and plant species.
Culture encounters.
Kidepo valley national park is the best destination for culture encounters. Despite the fact that the park is located in karamoja region, it offers the best culture tours to visitors. Karamonja people are located in northeastern part of Uganda whose ways of life is totally unique compared to other tribes. Visitors will visit manyatta houses which are grass thatched houses that karamonjong live in, they are pastoralists who rare animals and move from one place to another thus offerings visitors an opportunity to milk cows during their visit, visitors will be entertained with their traditional dances, visitors are free to visit their local markets and many more.
How to access the park?
Kidepo valley national park can be accessed by road or air transport. By air transport, visitors will fly from kajjasi or Entebbe International airport to kidepo valley national park taking approximately 2 hours.
By road transport, visitors may use 4×4 WD vehicles which may be private or public or buses. The most direct route, through Gulu to Lokumoit Gate, is about 600km/373mi and takes about 10 hours however visitors may use another route from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to Kidepo valley national park which is 792km and takes about 13 hours. Visitors are advised to have stopovers and nights along the way due to long distance. Despite the long journey, visitors will enjoy the drive due to spotting beautiful sceneries along the way.
Where to stay while in the park?
Apoka safari lodge.
Apoka safari lodge is located in the heart of kidepo valley national park with serene view of the untamed vastness of Central Africa. The lodge is luxury with about 10 spacious self- contained rooms which are grass thatched, have flushing toilets, showers with hot and cold waters, bath taps, towels, slippers, mirrors, hair drier, chairs, mosquito nets, tables, verandas and many more.
The lodge offers the restaurant where international meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, well stocked bar with soft and hard drinks, free wifi, free packing, laundry, swimming pool, and many more. While at the lodge, visitors may do game viewing, nature walks and bird watching.
Mara Safari Lodge kidepo.
Mara safari lodge is conveniently situated only 1 Km and 2 minutes’ drive away from the main gate Kalokudu of Kidepo Valley National Park. This proximity allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the park within minutes of stepping out of your room. The rooms are designed with locally sourced materials that are harvested sustainably from our own tree plantations. These include the roofing poles, the beds, the wardrobes, dressing cabinets, balcony guards, etc. The walls are made of blocks that are equally eco-friendly. The bathrooms, though are equipped with modern facilities that suit the different tastes of the guests.
The lodge offers warm ambiance of the restaurant, where every meal is a celebration of flavors. Gather around the campfire under the starlit sky, sharing stories and creating memories that will last a lifetime. And coming soon, take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, offering a tranquil oasis amidst the wilderness.
Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Kidepo savannah lodge is located at the edge of kidepo national park. The lodge boasts twelve beautifully appointed safari tents on raised decks. Each of the spacious tents have a private verandah offering splendid views of the mighty savannah. Comfortably furnished with 1 double or 2 single beds, all safari tents have an ensuite bathroom with 24 hours hot showers, running water for hand-basins and a flushing toilet. As a budget option, Kidepo Savannah Lodge offers 9 non-self-contained tents with comfortably furnished with 2 single or 1 double bed, a bedside table and a power outlet for charging your electrical equipment. The tents share a communal ablution block with hot showers and flushing toilets. However, the lodge offers restaurant, well stocked bar, free wifi, free packing, laundry and many more.
