Kidepo Valley National Park
Game Drives | Game Viewing | Cultural Encounter
Kidepo valley National Park is truly the African wilderness, the hidden secrets of nature, yet to be discovered. It is a rich virgin land full of spectacular and magnificent large sand rivers, typical composition of wild game, co-existing with the dry mountain forests, open savanna and hilltops capped by rock kopjes.
The area is overlooked by mount Morungole of about 2,750m and transected by the Kidepo and great Narus rivers. Perennial rains may make Kidepo an oasis in the semi-desert, but the Kidepo tract of rugged savannah harbors almost 500 bird species and 77 species of mammals which make game viewing a mesmerizing moment all year round, and birding is an excitement of great adventure.
Kidepo valley is located in the Karamoja region in the north east at the edges where Uganda boarders Sudan in the North West and Kenya in the north east. It sits on a wide land of up to 1,442 km² the only place you encounter the cheetah and ostriches in Uganda.
How to get there
There are four routes that can get you to Kidepo valley national park by road and 0ne by air;
- The 705km journey from Kampala via Lira, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo.
- The 740km journey from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo.
- The 780km journey from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Matany, Kotido, Kaabong and on to Kidepo and;
- The 596km journey from Kampala through Gulu, Kitgum and then to Kidepo. All the routes drive you to the wilderness and driving through it will keep you excited as you will have delightful sceneries. 4×4 vehicle may be needed especially in the wet season.
- Kidepo can also be accessed through air from kajansi airstrip or from Entebbe airport to Lomej airstrip near the park headquarters.
Activities
Game drives are so splendid here, getting you to the closest sight of different mammal species like lions, large herds of buffalos, cheetah, number herds of antelope species, and many others.
Birding is so exceptional, nature walks, community walks, mountain hiking and sand along river Kidepo.
Accommodation
Apoka Rest Camp, run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, offers comfortable bandas within the national park, including bedding, mosquito netting and showers. A more up market option is the exclusive Apoka Lodge. This luxury lodge is located in the middle of Kidepo National Park with spacious rooms and private veranda. A number of other accommodation facilities can also be accessed while in Kidepo.