Kidepo Valley National Park Overview
Kidepo Valley National Park Flora & Fauna
Vegetation in the park ranges from gray-haired acacia (Acacia gerrardii) in the north to savannah woodland emerging in the south to fire climax grassland, and shrub steppe, and finally bush areas with forests on the Mountain slopes. There are several borassus palm trees near the Kidepo, Lopper, and Kulao rivers. Themeda, Chloris, Panicum, and Setaria species are the dominant perennial grasses in the open savanna grassland that makes up a large portion of the park. It is also typical to find dry thickets, which are populated by numerous small trees and bushes. Antelopes like Guenther's dik-dik (Madoqua guentheri), which is unique to Uganda, are frequently seen in these settings since the foliage is typically dry for more than 50% of the year.
To a greater extent, Kidepo Valley National Park is able to accommodate a variety of species. Caracal, Aardwolf, Striped Hyena, Bat-eared Fox, Cheetah, and Hunting Dog are all carnivore species endemic to the Karamoja region and therefore only found in Kidepo National Park. Among the five kinds of primate that call Kidepo home is the endemic Kavirondo Bush Baby. The park is home to several endangered ungulate species, including the Greater and Lesser Kudu, Chandler's Mountain reedbuck, Bright gazelle, Beisa oryx, Dikdik, Klipspringer, and Roan antelope. Crocodiles in Kidepo are significantly shorter than Nile crocodiles, which can reach lengths of almost 4 meters. Elephants, zebras, bush pigs, rothschild giraffes, elands, jackson's hartebeest, buffalo, oribi, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, black-backed and side-backed jackals, and oribi are only few of the common creatures. If you want to see some of the most impressive buffalo herds in all of Africa, you need to visit Kidepo. Kidepo is also home to 475 different bird species.
Things to Do at Kidepo Valley National Park
The park's game drives are conducted in air-conditioned 4WD safari vehicles, and visitors are accompanied by trained guides who point out the park's many animal inhabitants. It's common practice to split out into smaller groups for game drives at Kidepo Valley National Park. Morning game drives often begin at 6:00 a.m. Morning game drives are a great time to see a variety of animals because that's when they're most active. After lunch, about 2:00 p.m., you'll set off on an evening game drive that will take you to Narus valley, where significant concentrations of species congregate due to the presence of permanent water sources, even more so in the dry season. After supper, you can participate in the park's night activities, during which you'll go on a drive accompanied by a park ranger who will point out any nocturnal animals you happen upon and provide you with a spotlight so you can get a good look at them.
Hiking is a fun way to see the sights of Kidepo Valley National Park on foot and is a recommended activity for visitors. To ensure your safety, a trained guide who is familiar with the park's walking routes and an armed park ranger will accompany you on your nature walks. Hikes to the Morungole Mountains, where you'll encounter the IK people, and the Lomej Mountains are just two of the many options for getting in touch with nature at Kidepo valley national park. Elephants, reedbucks, waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, and a plethora of other creatures can be spotted on the daily guided nature walks that depart from the Apoka tourism office at 7:00 in the morning.
Over 475 different kinds of birds have been spotted at Kidepo Valley National Park, making it one of the best places in Uganda for birdwatching. These birds include both endemic and nonendemic species, as well as savannah and migratory species. Birding safaris in Kidepo Valley National Park can be done during game drives and nature walks; while there, keep an eye out for the yellow rumped seedeater, magnificent starling, ostrich, yellow necked spurfowl, four banded sandgrouse, white bellied bustard, black breasted barbet, slate-colored boubou apalis, bustard, greater kestrel,and others.
Interacting with the Karamajong in the surrounding villages and the IK tribe on top of Morungole Mountain are only two examples of the cultural exchanges that are possible in Kidepo valley national park. The cultural encounter will allow you to learn about the Maasai people's history, customs, and way of life through activities such as visiting traditional manyatta huts, participating in workshops where you may produce traditional instruments like beads, stools, and spears, listening to traditional music and dance, and watching traditional dance and theater performances.
Lodges and Camps in Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Savannah Lodge is a great alternative if you're seeking for a place to stay that has more communal eating and drinking spaces. A night in one of their self-contained platform safari tents will run you $165 with full board included. You may avoid paying park fees by staying at this lodge, which is located just 500 meters from the entrance to Kidepo Valley National Park, and still take in the scenery of Narus Valley from the comfort of their wooden deck.
Location:Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda
Amenities:Housekeeping, laundry service and lounge
Price:Between USD 110.67 and 140.86 USD
Travelers on a tight budget will appreciate Apoka Rest Camp's convenient location and comfortable accommodations. The average number of beds per banda or chalet in Apoka Rest Camp is two, and the camp has fifteen such accommodations. The campground is operated, at best, like a hostel, with dorm-style sleeping quarters and a limited menu of services for cheap. In order to encourage people to travel, some bandas require a minimum payment for use of communal beds and public bathrooms. Located on a hillside above the Narus valley, Apoka rest camp provides stunning views of the nearby watering hole. Visitors staying in the campground enjoy excellent vantage points from which to watch wildlife in the valley below. In the vicinity of Apoka Rest camp, campers who like to prepare their own meals will find a self-catering campsite perfect for a night or two under the stars.
Location:Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda
Amenities:Restaurant on site, and lounge
Price:16 USD onwards
Do you intend on splurging a little while in Kidepo Valley? Then perhaps Apoka Safari Lodge is a good fit for you. Hotel rates fluctuate throughout the seasons. Room rates range from $518 during the off-season to $881 during the high season. The lodge's pool, which overlooks the Narus Valley, is a great place to relax in between evening and morning game drives.
Location:Kidepo Valley National Park, Loitanit, Uganda
Amenities:Special diet meals, mosquito net, ironing service
Price:Starting from 172 USD
Kidepo Valley National Park Tour Packages
The first day of your six-day tour begins when you land in Entebbe and are driven to your hotel in Kampala. You'll be driven to Kidepo National Game Park in northeastern Uganda on day 2. On day three, you'll set out on your safari through the park's expansive grounds. On day four, a local guide will lead you on a walk through the villages of the Karamoja region, where you can learn about the lifestyles of the people who live close to the game reserve. You will be taken to Jinja, where the Nile originates, at a later time. On the fifth day, you'll have the trip of a lifetime (white water rafting), followed by a relaxing boat ride down the river after lunch. On the final day of your trip, you'll be dropped off at the airport after a guided walk through the surrounding villages and then taken to your flight.
Inclusions:
- Airport pickup and drop offs
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Pure bottled drinking water
- Park entry fees
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- Private safari Vehicle (tour guide)
- All activities in the itinerary
Price (in USD):900 USD
On Day 1 of your 4-Day Kidepo Safari, you'll be picked up from your Kampala hotel and taken to your safari lodge. Visit the Gaddafi Mosque, the Namirembe Catechetical Center for Protestants, the Lubaga Basilica for Catholics, and the Kasubi Tombs for an evening of culture and history in Kampala. The journey to Kidepo Valley National Park is a long one, so be sure to rest up on day two. You'll get in your car and head north, stopping for breaks before finally making it to Kidepo National Park late that night. On day 3, you'll take a game drive through the wilderness, where you might see lions, giraffes, zebras, and elephants, among other animals, and later visit the Karamojong in Kapedo and Karema for an afternoon of culture. After participating in the exciting activities about which you have heard, you will be driven back to Kampala, from which you can continue your stay in Uganda or catch your flight home.
Inclusions:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Driver and guide
- Meals
- Park entrance fee
- Game drive
- Transfers
Price (in USD):720 USD
If you're looking to get out of town for a while, consider booking this 4-day wildlife safari tour of Kidepo. After arriving in Kidepo by plane on day one, you'll immediately set out on an afternoon safari. The next day, you'll wake up early for a safari in Narus Valley and a tour of the nearby Karamojong settlement. The following day, on day 3, you will go on a game drive to Kidepo Valley and Hot Springs and then take a tour to see the Ik tribes. On day four, you'll return to either Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield via flight to wrap up your trip.
Inclusions:
- All Meals
- Round airport
- Airstrip Transfers
- Transfer
- Park Entries
Price (in USD):2890 USD
Your first day of travel will take you from Entebbe to Kampala, and the following day you'll begin your safari and make your way to your lodging in Kitgum, where you can unwind for the night. The next day, you'll pack up and head out for Kidepo, a long journey whose breathtaking vistas will make the time fly by. Beginning on day 4, you'll travel to the south of Kidepo Valley National Park, to the Narus Valley, in order to go game viewing. You can meet the Karamojong, the locals here, during a later visit to their community. On day five, you leave for Soroti and, after a lengthy journey, you arrive, and o n day six, after visiting Sipi Falls, you'll leave for Kampala or Entebbe.
Inclusions:
- Entrance fees
- Accommodation
- Driver/guide
- Transport
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Bottled water
- All activities
- All meals
Price (in USD):1150 USD
With this safari, you can explore one of the nation's most isolated regions, Kidepo National Park, and learn about its beauties. Beautiful landscapes and a wide variety of animals, including buffaloes, zebras, baboons, and more than 300 bird species, as well as the possibility of seeing big cats like cheetahs, rock-climbing lions, and leopards, set this area apart as a true African wilderness. You can stop at the stunning Aruu Falls in Pader district to bathe in a natural pool on your way to see the Rhinos in the ZZiwa Rhino sanctuary, which is located just outside the park.
Inclusions:
- Getting to the Airport
- For all road transportation, 4x4 vehicles with native English speakers as guides are available.
- The same type of lodging and food as described above
- Any and all park entrances
- Visits to local communities and game drives
- Admission to Aruu Falls
- Locating Rhinos.
- On-board water supply
Price (in USD):607 USD
Plan Your Visit to Kidepo Valley National Park
1. How to Reach:
By Car:The distance between Kampala and Kidepo Valley National Park requires around a 10-hour drive. Although the trip might be made in a single day, some travelers may find it more convenient to split it over two days and overnight in Gulu (5 hours from Kampala).
By Air:From Entebbe, a trip to Kidepo Valley National Park via plane takes about 1 hr 30 min. The park's lodgings are less than a 10-minute drive from the airfield, making it a convenient airport.
2. Best Time to Visit:
The months of March–May and November–December are considered the wet/low season in Kidepo Valley National Park. You'll find less people in the park during the wet season, and avid birdwatchers, especially those interested in migratory birds, will have a better chance of seeing a wide range of species.
- High- SPF Sunscreen lotion
- Rechargeable batteries
- Loose-fit shorts
- Waterproof shoes
- Jackets
- Insect repellant
- Valid travel documents
- First-aid kit
- Binoculars
- Steripen, which enables you to disinfect water with UV light, ensuring that it is safe to drink while also minimizing the amount of plastic waste produced.
- Get health and travel insurance before you leave.
- Make sure you have the proper documentation for entry into your chosen country.
- Get your shots, your antimalarial, and your insect repellent (DEET works best) in order.
- Please remember to secure your bags and place all valuables in your carry-on.
- It's a good idea to make copies of vital travel papers and save them online.
- Pack sun protection, insect repellent, and layers for open-air game drives.
- Learn the airline's baggage policy before booking any flights (including domestic flights).
FAQ’s Of Kidepo Valley National Park
What activities can we do at Kidepo Valley National Park camps?
Some of the activities that you can do at the Kidepo Valley National Park camps include nature walks, hiking, game drives, and taking cultural tours. You can also engage in fair amount of bird watching considering
How many days do you need in Kidepo Valley National Park ?
3 days are enough for a tour of the Kidepo Valley National Park. That is because with a 3-day Kidepo Wildlife Safari, you'll be able to embark on a game drive, see lots of exotic creatures up close, and enjoy stunning views of the plains of the national park.
What is the best time of year to visit the Kidepo Valley National Park ?
The best time to Visit Kidepo Valley National Park is during August and September to avoid the dry season's harsh heat and the rainy season's muddy roads. However, if you can stand the heat, the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park is between the months of December and February. At this time, you have a better chance of spotting animals gathering near the scarce water.
What facilities will I get in Kidepo Valley National Park camps?
At the Kidepo Valley National Park camps you get to stay in self-contained chalets, replete with well-modernized washrooms. You get to have food from restaurants with professional maids and chefs. You get mosquito nets, freezers and refrigerators running off solar energy.
Which are the best places to visit in Kidepo Valley National Park?
The best places to visit in Kidepo Valley National Park include Narus Valley, Kidepo river, Kanangorok Hot Springs, and the 2750 meter high Mount Morungole.