Activities

Activities to Do in Kidepo Valley National Park : Kidepo Valley National Park is found in the North Eastern part of Uganda in the district of Kaabong. Kaabong is a town found near the border between Uganda and South Sudan. This isolated and remote national park consists of mainly rugged Savannah, hills and great valleys that are surrounded by the Morungole Mountains. Kidepo was turned into a game reserve in 1958 by the colonial government because of the excess poaching and destruction of vegetation by the Ik and Dodoth as they tried to control the number of Tsetse flies in the park at the time. Four years later in 1962, the game reserve was turned into Kidepo Valley national park. 1962 is the year Uganda got her independence.

Some of the top activities in Kidepo Valley National Park include;

Game drives

Game drives in Kidepo are the best anywhere in Uganda. This is mainly because of the sheer number of mammals and birds that gather to feed in the great valleys found in the park.  Though the main park roads are made of hard murram and are passable throughout the year, most of the smaller roads leading to the remote areas are difficult to pass during the wet season.  Visitors need a sturdy four wheel drive safari vehicle to pass through the most roads. To ensure safety of everyone during the game drives, visitors are always accompanied by an armed ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Large herds of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes can be seen in the Narus Valley, which is in the park’s southern section. Predators such as spotted hyenas and lions can also be seen in the valley. Equally remarkable is the Kidepo Valley, which passes through the park’s northern region and frequently offers fantastic chances to see wildlife in the open Savannah. Kidepo is a particularly interesting destination for wildlife fans since during your game drive, you may also come across uncommon species like the cheetah, Aardwolf, and bat-eared fox.

Birding

Birding watching is also popular of the most top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National park. The park home to about 475 bird species and more are still being discovered by tourists. Who come for bird watching in this beautiful park? Visitors who come on our safaris for bird watching in Kidepo Valley National park will see the superb sterling, Ostrich, Abyssinian Roller, Purple Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and Clapperton’s Francolin which is only found here. The list of the many bird species goes on and on. There are many birds sighted from Apoka Rest Camp, Narus valley and Namamukweny which can be seen in the mornings and in the evenings.

Cultural encounters

The park surrounded by local communities of the Karamajong and IK people. So travelers to this wilderness national park can include a cultural tour on the top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park. The Karamojong and IK are similar to the Masai of Kenya and a cultural tour to these people will help you discover the unique culture of this remote tribe with the Lorukul Cultural Group or other cultural groups bordering the park.

Nature walks and hikes

Hiking and nature walks are also top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National park. The hikes and walks will take you to the Lomej Mountains which can be reached on foot. The hike takes four hours and starts at 7am. There are shorter guided walks that take about two hours, be taken through the Narus Valley extending over a 5km radius from Apoka Tourism Centre. Hiking up the Morungole Mountains is one of the popular activities in the park

Visitors on Uganda Wildlife safaris in Kidepo also take walks on the beautiful Kidepo River Valley between banks of attractive borassus palm forest or Namamkweny Valley reached in one hour from Apoka. Visitors to Kidepo Valley National park can also take a hike to the IK tribe to Morungole Mountains located outside the national park.

How to get to Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo National Park is 521 kilometers away from Kampala city by road. From Moroto town, the distance to the park is 219 kilometers. The most convenient way for international visitors to get to Kidepo is by air from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airstrip along the Entebbe – Kampala highway.

Best time to visit Kidepo valley national park

There are two dry and wet seasons in Uganda. The dry months of December to March and June to August are ideal for wildlife viewing. The Kidepo and Narus rivers dry up during the dry months, forcing animals to rely on other little oases for survival as they swarm to get water. These creatures congregate and offer the greatest chances for photography and nature observation. These rivers are restored during the rainy seasons, and since there is an abundance of food and water in most areas of the park, the animals usually travel in smaller groups in quest of food.

Although the dry season has its advantages, some visitors may find the heat and dust uncomfortable. The short rainy season still has good views of the animals. The animals are joined by migratory birds making it the best time to go birding. The rains turn the park s beauty to extreme levels with amazing greenery which photographers will love. The heat is acceptable and even cool. Unfortunately during the wet season, some of the animals move to higher ground to avoid getting wet down at the rivers and swamps forcing tourists to go out looking for them.

Conclusion

A hidden gem in Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park provides a variety of activities for adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts, and culture vultures. There is something for everyone in this isolated environment, whether you’re hiking over tough terrain, engaging with the Karamojong people, participating in thrilling game drives, or bird-watching. Kidepo is one of Africa’s most exceptional and unspoiled wildlife attractions because of its unspoiled environment, astounding biodiversity, and immersive cultural experiences.