Kidepo Valley National Park is a renowned safari destination in Uganda. Have you been wondering where to get an epic adventure on an African safari? Well, look no further as we take you through Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park presents you with epic scenes of the various wildlife animals as they go by their usual schedule as the beautiful various bird species fly above them. In this article, we shall take you through the culture, the different ecosystems, accommodation facilities, and much more.
About Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda. The park has an average area of 1,442 square kilometers. Kidepo Valley National Park is widely covered by savannah grassland and woodland with the 2,750 meters Mount Morungole dominating the area.
The park is drained and transected by two waterbodies of Kidepo and Narus Rivers. The park’s abundance of huge wildlife of over 75 species of animals and 470 bird species makes it truly one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated National Park hence a perfect destination for travelers seeking an off-the-usual-noise experience.
Brief history of Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park was gazette as a game reserve by the then-British colonial government in 1958. The park area was first inhabited by the Dodoth pastoralists, the Ketebo, and the Ik people.
These people were evicted forcefully to protect the animals and prevent them from clearing the bushes. In 1962 when Uganda gained independence, Dr. Milton Obote upgraded it to a national park.
What are the major tourist attractions at Kidepo Valley National Park?
Narus Valley
Narus Valley is an area in the Kidepo Valley National Park surrounded by distant mountains. The Narus Valley attracts several wildlife such as lions, oribis, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, and giraffes to mention but a few. This is because of River Narus which is a permanent water source. The Narus Valley is perfect for game tracking since the area is rich with abundant wildlife and bird species. The game tracks have over four loop circuits that are useful during game drives. Some of these loops include Katurum, Kopje and Katurum loops.
Kanangorok hot springs
Kanangorok Hot Springs is located near the Kidepo River. Kanangorok hot springs give out boiling water. This water is used for different reasons by the locals and they even believe it is spiritual water with magical healing powers.
This narrative has attracted both local and international tourists. The beautiful views of the Kanangorok hot springs are worth checking out while on an African safari.
Birds
Kidepo Valley National Park is home to over 470 bird species with 58 birds of prey. These live in different regions across the park. Some of the birds in the park include Egyptian vulture, Pygmy falcon, Ostrich, Verreaux’s eagle, Black coucal, Yellow-rumped Seedeater, Clapperton’s Francolin, Karamoja apalis, Black-breasted barbet, Broad-tailed warbler, Silverbird, Yellow-billed Shrike, Marsh Tchagra, Crimson-rumped Waxbill among others.
These can be viewed during game drives and nature walks. On a Uganda safari, it’s worth checking out these bird species.
Kidepo Valley
Kidepo Valley is among the best attractions in the park. This is because the area is home to various bird species. The Valley is an important birding area because of River Kidepo which is a major source of water in the valley.
Some of the bird species in the valley include Ostrich, Kori bustard, red and yellow barbet, Karamoja Apalis, pygmy falcon, white-bellied go-away bird, red-throated bee-eater, Jackson’s hornbill, black-breasted barbet, chestnut weaver among others.
Apoka Tourism Center
Apoka Tourism Center is a tourism hub for the entire Kidepo Valley National Park. This center contains a lot of facilities from accommodation, to shops of craft and vehicle hire services for game drives. At this center, you will find game rangers who will assist you during game drives, nature walks, and a lot more activities. The Apoka Tourism Center also overlooks the Narus Valley where you will view different animals from a distance.
Mount Morungole
Mount Morungole is located on the boundary of the park in the southern park. It stands at 2,750 meters rising over the plains a few kilometers from the north of Apoka. The area is also rich with various bird species because it is drained and crossed by both River Kidepo and River Narus. The Mount Morungole region can be hiked on foot during guided nature walks. This region is also home to the IK people which are the smallest ethnic group in Uganda. Don’t hesitate to check out Mount Morungole while on your Uganda safari.
Other tourist attractions at Kidepo Valley National Park include the following
Namamukweny Valley
This valley is located in the northwestern part of the park. Namamukweny Valley can be easily accessed because of the improved road networks. Namamukweny is a Napore word meaning a place with no people and this valley is rich with many bird species such as white-crested turaco, common bulbul, and Abyssinian Roller, among others.
Lomej Hills
This is an area located a few kilometers from the park headquarters. The Lomej Hills are an area rich in both bird species and wildlife. It is one of the good places to view birds and wildlife from a safe distance.
What are the major activities in Kidepo Valley National Park?
Game Drives
Game drives allow tourists to view different animals on the savannah. Game drives usually take place in the Narus Valley because of the large concentrations of a variety of animals. The valley is a plain enclosed by distant mountains hence aiding the presence of River Narus which attracts a lot of wild animals.
Hiking
Hiking and scenery viewing in Kidepo Valley National Park take place in different places across the park. Hiking can take place at Mount Morungole guided by an IK guide from the IK people who know understand and relate with the animals in the park.
Birding Watching
Kidepo Valley National Park is home to over 470 bird species. Birding can be done during game drives and nature walks. Tourists are assigned experienced professional birders who guide them while birding. The rangers are available at Apoka. Birding takes place in different regions across the park including Lomej and Mount Morungole among others.
Cultural Encounters
This is an opportunity for tourists to engage with the locals who stay close to the park. Interacting with the community members in the area of their ancient tales of the land will leave you with breathtaking memories.
Where to stay at Kidepo Valley National Park?
Accommodation at the park ranges from luxury, mid-range to budget depending on what you prefer. There are accommodation facilities in and outside the park which offer amazing services to tourists. Accommodation facilities in the park give a feeling of sleeping in the wild to tourists because of the sounds of the wild animals and birds singing in the night. These accommodation facilities include; Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodges, Proland Inn, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Zebra Safari Lodge, and Apoka Rest Camp.
What is the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park?
Visiting Kidepo Valley National Park is best done in the dry season (June to September and December to March). During this time the vegetation is sparser and the animals can easily be seen around water bodies. The wet season also has advantages such as the low costs of accommodation facilities and the best time to spot water-loving birds. During this season the park is also not crowded and with a lot of room since is it a low season with few tourists.
How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park?
Traveling to Kidepo Valley National Park has been made easy due to the improved road and air transport. Kidepo Valley National Park is approximately 563 kilometers from the capital Kampala while traveling by road. Traveling to the park by road takes approximately 10 hours through the Gulu highway.
Traveling to Kidepo Valley National Park by air is the fastest means to the park. Different scheduled flights to Kidepo National Park are offered by most of the different companies like Aero Link Uganda.
Conclusion
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Uganda commonly referred to as The True African Wilderness. This is because of the different tourist attractions like Narus Valley, bird species, Kidepo Valley, Apoka Tourism Center, and Mount Morungole. Different activities like hiking, birding, and cultural encounters are exceptional adventures. Be sure to add Kidepo Valley National Park to your Uganda safari and you will have everlasting memories.
