Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park and explore the long-forgotten Eden, Africa’s Hidden gem. Tucked away in northeastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is undeniably an out the ordinary places in Africa, Uganda’s finest and most isolated parks. The park is one of the least visited national parks in Uganda which has kept it virgin and natural to offer you a fresh feeling of the natural environment with an off beaten kind of experience. Those who have visited the park before review Kidepo Valley National ark as Africa’s mysterious destination with a high concentration of every wondrous aspect in the continent.
The combination of wildlife, geographical spectacles and a multitude of local cultures make Kidepo Valley National Park a must-visit on your Uganda Safaris. the park is known to have the biggest herds of buffalos, elephants, jackson’s hartebeest, bus dikers, Defassa waterbucks and zebras among others which make game viewing excellent in this park. Kidepo Valley Nationa Park is bordered by south Sudan and Kenya and its Uganda’s most isolated National Park. The park spreads over 1,442 square kilometers bisected by Kidepo and Narus Rivers. Vegetation in Kidepo Valley National Park comprises of grey-haired acacia, shrubs, climax grassland, trees, swamps, and savannah woodlands. Superfine Safaris Limited gives you a guide to Kidepo Valley National Park, attractions, activities, accommodation, getting there, the best time to visit, and wildlife in Kidepo Valley National Park among others.
What to see and do in Kidepo Valley National Park
Travelers to Kidepo Valley National Park have an endless list of things o see and do. The top activities done in Kidepo Valley National Park include among others:
Game viewing
Game viewing in Kidepo
Game drives in the Narus Valley give you the chance to experience and enjoy the natural beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park. Game safaris in Kidepo give you a chance to see the best that the wilderness can offer. while on your game drives, expect to see numerous wild animals such as Expect to see numerous animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, cheetahs, Uganda kobs, deers, Black-backed jackals, bat-eared fox, Caracal, leoprads, African hunting dogs, Topis, Elands, Orbis, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Hippos, striped hyena, Beisa Oryx, and Grants’s gazelles among others.
The best time for game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park is at 6:00am and 4:00 pm to catch p with animals feeding before retiring for day and night rests respectively. Also, enjoy the Kidepo Valley drive to Kanangorok hot springs through the dry savannahs making your whole experience magical and memorable.
Bird watching
Birds in Kidepo Valley Park
With over 470 bird species, Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s second-best bird watching spot after Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to 60 bird species which are nonexistent in any other Ugandan park. The park hosts migratory birds from Europe and Asia in the months of November and April.
The birds in Kidepo Valley National Park include Dark Chanting Goshawk, Kori Bustard, Little bee-eater, Ostrich, Red and Yellow barbet, Abyssinian roller, Purple grenadier, Black-breasted barbet, Greater Kestrel, Jackson’s hornbill, Rufous Chatter, Pygmy falcon. Golden Pipit, Rose ringed parakeet, Chestnut weaver and Northern carmine bee-eater. March to April is the best time for bird watching in Kidepo Valley National Park. November and April is the best time to see migratory birds in Kidepo Valley Park. However, birding in the park can be done all year round. Ostriches are beautiful birds you should not miss on your birding safari to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Cultural Tours – IK people
IK people in Kidepo Park
Move out to meet and interact with the indigenous IK people for greater cultural performance. IK people live in the hill of Morungole ranges and were named by UNESCO as an endangered tribe of people. Beekeeping and animal grazing are the major economic activities of IK people.
Teenage pregnancies and marriage are very common among the IK people where parents marry off their daughters at a tender age in exchange for cows. An overnight camp in the IK Manyattas gives you the chance to learn more about their traditions norms, beliefs and cultures. A traditional dance is a not miss on your visit to the IK people.
Nature Walks
A nature walk through Kidepo Valley National Park is the best way to explore the beautiful wilderness. Enjoy a walk to Lamoj hills for the best photographs, not forgetting to visit the splendid Kidepo river valley to see many animals gathered at the river for drinking water especially in the dry season. Namamukweny is also a good walking area on your nature walk in Kidepo Valley National park. Walking through the park gives you the best spots for wild animals grazing, birds ad local communities in the neighborhood.
Kanangorok HotspringsDrive to the northern part of Kidepo Valley Park to visit the healing Kanangorok hot springs. The hot springs are a natural wonder of Kidepo Valley Park. You will experience how boiling waters emerge from rock outcrops. The boiling waters of Kanangorok hot springs are believed to heal various diseases especially joint pains and skin rashes. Hot spring waters can boil eggs ready for eating.
Camping
Camping is yet another interesting tourist activity to do in kIdepo Valley national ark. Spending a night out in the camp gives you a true feeling of the wilderness. Wild animals will sleep on your doorstep and roar on top of your head when you are asleep. However, camping travelers are reminded not to move out of their tent at night. Also, ensure to camp in a less isolated part of the park. Make sure o camp near a lodge for security reasons in case of any need.
Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park
Wondering where to sleep in Kidepo Valley National Park? No worries. The Park has a variety of budget, midrange and luxury accommodation facilities to offer you excellent food and sleeping services at affordable rates. The top lodges and camps in Kidepo Valley National park include Apoka Sagri Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Nga Moru Wilderness Camp, and Kakine Self Catering camp. Experienced staff is at your service all day and night to ensure timely and quality service delivery system.
How to get to Kidepo Valley National park
Travelers can access Kidepo Valley National park by road or air transport. Transport to Kidepo Valley National park by road entails using two major routes. You can either use the Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo route taking (740km) roughly 12 hours. Alternatively, use the Kampala-Mbale-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-kidepo route (792km) lasting for roughly 13 hours. If you have limited time, fly from Kajjansi to Apoka airstrip for quick access. The long hours of driving are the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauties en route making your whole experience more enjoyable.
Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park
December to March and Jun to August is the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park. During this time, there are no or fewer rains, which make your game viewing experience less challenging. During this time, wild animals gather on Rivers for drinking water which makes it easier to find them. However, Kidepo Valley National Park can be visited all year round and all activities done without disruption.
People also ask
What is kidepo Valley National park famous for?
Kidepo is famous for its numerous bird species which make a birders paradise. Over 450 bird species are registered in Kidepo Valley national park and its listed among the best birding destinations in the Pearl of Africa. Some of the notable birds to see in Kidepo Vale national park include Kori Bustard, Little bee eater, Ostriches, Dark Chanting Goshwak, Pygm, Falcon, Fox Kestrol and golden pipit among others. Birding in Kidepo Valley National Park is best done between Mach and April while migratory birds are seen between November and April.
What animals are in kidepo Valley National park?
Th animals in Kidepo Valley national park include Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Black backed jackals, Bat eared fox, Uganda kobs, Buffalos, Warthogs Bush pigs, Wild dogs, Leopards, Waterbucks, Caracal, Greater and lesser Kudus, Mountain Reedback and Dik Dik among others. Wild animals in Kidepo Valley National park are best seen during morning and evening hours when they are actively hunting, grazing and browsing.
Are there Lions in Kidepo Valley National park?
YES, there are Lions in Kidepo Valley National park . Over 132 Lions are said to be living in the savannahs of Kidepo Valle National park. These kings of the jungle are normally seen actively hunting in the morning and evening hours while during the day, they are seen resting lazily in the acacia trees. the other places with high concentration of lions are Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
What is unique about Kidepo Valley National park?
The remote location of Kidepo Valley national park in the far north eastern Part of Uganda make it unique tourist destination. The par is located 57.5 kilometers from Kampala and its the least visited park in the Pearl of Africa. The few visits in the park has kept it natural offering the off beaten kind of experience.
Are there hippos in Kidepo Valley National Park?
NO, there are no hippos in Kidpeo Valley National park. The absence of these mammals in the park is attributed to the long droughts and limited water sources in Kidepo Valley Park. Hippos are wild water animals which cannot survive in areas with limited waters.
Which National park is famous for hippos in Uganda?
Parks with lakes and rivers with in them are known to have a high number of hippos. These include Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Parks. The three parks have permanent water sources within them which are suitable habitats of hippos.
Which is the second Largest Park in Uganda?
Queen Elizabeth National Park spreading over on 1978 square kilometers of land is he second largest park in Uganda. This is second to Murchison Falls Park which is Uganda’s largest park spreading over 3893 square kilometers.
Which National park is known for crocodiles in Uganda?
Murchison Falls National park which shelters the Nile river is known to have the highest population of crocodiles in Uganda. A boat cruise on the river river to the bottom of the mighty falls is a best spot for watching crocodiles seen resting lazily on the river banks
What is the smallest Park in Uganda?
Mgahinga Gorilla National park spreading over 33.7 square kilometers of land is the smallest Park in Uganda. Mgahinga is located in Kisoro district in south western Uganda and it covers Uganda’s share of the Virunga Conservation rea bordered by Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Which National park in Uganda is famous for Zebras.
Kidepo Valley National park located in North Eastern region offers the best views of Zebras in the Pearl of Africa. The other park with zebras is Lake Mburo National Park located in western Uganda. Zebras are seen grazing during game viewing experiences in the two game parks.
What is the most visited game park in Uganda and why?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited park in Uganda/ The park is Uganda’s second largest sheltering a high concentration of wild animals and birds. The park offers travelers with a variety of travel experiences such as game viewing, boat cruising at Kazinga channel, Bird watching, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge and community tours among others. Also, the park is located roughly 5 hours drive from Kampala capital which make it one of the easy to access game parks in Uganda.
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