Located in Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s least visited and remote National park. The park covers a land area of 1442 square kilometers Uganda’s border with Kenya and south Sudan. The vast park is amazingly un tampered or commercialized given the fewer visits compared to other parks in Uganda. In 2017, CNN ranked Kidepo Valley National Park as the 3rd best park in Africa, a not miss for anyone visiting Uganda. The game drive tracks through the park are much less traveled which travelers an authentic feeling of the wilderness. Kidepo Valley National Park was established in 1958 comprised of Kidepo and Narus Valleys with permanent water streams and rivers. In dry season, Narus River is the best place for game viewing as many wild animals gather there for drinking water. Vegetation in Kidepo Valley National Park is mainly endless savannah landscapes with perched swamps and dotted palm trees. Sunset and sunrise in Kidepo Valley National Park are stunning! The landscape is amazing the culture of the locals differs a lot from the rest of the country. You will see animals difficult to find in other parks of Uganda. Some travelers who have visited Kidepo Valley National park have reviewed it as the best of the best National parks in Africa. African Apes Tours & Travel is your best guide to explore the beauty of this hidden park.
Attractions and activities in Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National park is a true wilderness, which offer travelers with a magical feeling. Some of the top things to see and do in Kidepo Valley include:
Game Viewing:
If you want to have magical game viewing experience, then Kidepo Valley National park is your best place to visit. The open savannahs offer excellent game viewing especially in the dry season when grasses are short. The gorgeous landscapes shelter abundance of buffalos, warthogs, elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Bushbucks, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Uganda Kobs, Impalas, Olive baboons, jackals, buhpigs, Zebras, Waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, Pats monkeys and Bush duikers, among others. Game viewing is best done in the early morning, evening and night times to see nocturnal animals. Our experienced guided will drive through remote tracks in the wilderness looking for wild animals and predators hunting. Narus valley is the best spot for game viewing in Kidepo Valley National park. You are however reminded to stay inside the safari vehicle to avoid any dangers from wild animals.
Nature Walking
Go nature walking in the open plains of Kidepo Valley National park with African Apes Tours. Nature walking gives you an opportunity to explore the hidden gem in this park on foot some of which you cannot see while on the vehicle. Morning nature walks is your chance to meet up with early risers feeding while nocturnal are returning from night hunts. Narus and Namamukweny valleys are good sots for nature walking. An armed ranger protecting you from any harm and scares by wild animals will escort you. Nature walking offers you the best feeling of the natural wilderness that refreshes your mind and body.
Bird watching
Kidepo Valley National park is home to over 470-bird specie 60 of which are not recorded anywhere else in Uganda. This makes this remote park a paradise for birders and the second best birding area in Uganda after Queen Elizabeth National park which shelters the highest number of birds in the Pearl of Africa. Kidepo is the best pace to see raptors hardly seen anywhere else. Some of the notable birds in Kidepo Valley National park include Red and Yellow barbet, Dark chanting goshawk, Kori bustard, Ostrich, Little bee eater, Golden pipit, Abyssinian roller, Karamoja Apalis, Red throated bee eater, Chestnut weaver, Greater Kestrel, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black breasted barbet, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Pygmy falcon and White bellied go away bird among others. March and April is the best time for bird watching in Kidepo Valley National park while November to April is the best time for watching migratory birds.
Cultural tours to the IK people
Do not miss a cultural tour to meet and interact with the indigenous IK people living in areas neighboring Kidepo Valley National park. The IK is a unique tribe of people whose cultures, traditions, norms and customs make them exceptional from other tribes in Uganda. IK people live together in small rounded manyattas. Visit any craft shop to but hand made crafts such as beads, bags hats, spears and other instruments sold at a fair prices. Happy locals welcoming you to their community performs traditional dances.
Visit the Kanangorok Hot springs
Visit to explore the famous Kanangorok hot springs located in the northern part of Kidepo Valley National Park. The waters in the hotsprings can boil an egg within a short period of time. Locals attach spiritual healing to the waters in the hot springs. You will find many local people bathing in the waters for healing from different kinds of illnesses.
Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National park
Some of the top lodges in Kidepo Valley National Park include Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah lodge, Kikorongo Safari Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp and Bufallo Base among others. These offer you excellent food and sleeping service, safety and comfort at affordable rates.
African Apes Tours offers tailored driving and flying safaris to Kidepo Valley National park. Contact and let us take you to explore this hidden gem