THINGS TO DO IN KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK IN 2023

Now that you have visited the least visited park in Uganda and the most isolated spectacular wilderness, you are probably wondering what you can do for leisure and or fun. Sit still, as Kidepo Valley National Park has more activities to offer than you can imagine all set to make your safari experience a memorable one. The park is comprised of vast open savannah woodland, shrubs, grassland, wetlands and more covering up to 1442square kilometers of land on which the park sits and harbors elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, plenty of birds among others, all contributing to the different thrilling activities you will be a part of.

Birding in Kidepo Valley National Park

The park is home to over 470 bird species and the second best birding destination after Queen Elizabeth National park with plenty of colorful birds, some migratory ,others endemic and they include the superb sterling, ostrich, Abyssinian ground hornbill, clappertons francolin, secretary bird, karamoja apalis, black breasted barbet, green bee eater, dark chanting goshawk among others all best seen in the wet seasons of the months of March to May and November, around Apoka rest camp and Namamukweny valley, in the presence of an experienced guide to help you identify the different species of birds the park has to offer.

Game Drives in Kidepo Valley National Park

Conducted in two main areas namely, Kidepo Valley and the Narus Valley in Kidepo Valley National Park, game drives are the most popular activity in this park. In the presence of a professional driver guide, you get to explore the huge savannah in a 4WD safari vehicle taking you to areas where you view the different animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, kobs, and birds as well. Kidepo Valley National Park, also offers night game drives in the company of an armed park ranger and spotlight torches for viewing game, more so the nocturnal animals like hippos, cheetahs, lions and more.

Hiking/ Nature walks in Kidepo Valley National Park

This is an activity that gives you the chance to get really up-close to the various game. You move out of the comfort of the track to explore the park on foot in the presence of an armed park ranger to protect you from the dangerous wildlife. You will also get up-close with different birds.

Cultural tour in Kidepo Valley National Park

You will be able to interact with the Ik people of the Karamojong community neighboring the park and learn their culture, watch them dance, see how heavily they pimp themselves up with beads that they make and sell as well, dress-code, traditional foods among others. This is an interesting journey as you interact with what is known as “Uganda’s most backward community”

Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park

The Park is open and welcoming to visitors all year through. However, it is advisable to visit it in the dry months of June to September and December to February. The Savannah is thinner and easier to wade through during the nature walks, and best for viewing game clearly especially at a safe distance. This is the favourable time to do Game drives. Paths are easily navigable and wildlife are seen coming to the available waterbodies for water.

Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park offers a variety of accommodation. Visitors can choose from luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation and campsites. They include Kidepo Savannah lodge, Apoka safari lodge, Adere safari lodge, Nga Moru wilderness , Kakire self-catering campsite among others. The rooms are spacious and of quality to give you the comfort you desire.

How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park.

The National Park is situated in the North Eastern Part of Uganda. Its about 571kilometers from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The journey to it is a ten to twelve hours’ drive (by road), depending on the route you use. Fortunately, The Park can be accessed by air as well.

By road, there are three major routes to take you to Kidepo namely;

Kampala through Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum the Kidepo which is a ten hours’ drive

Kampala through Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido Kaabong then Kidepo which takes 12hours

From Kampala through Karuma, Lira,Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo, a twelve hours’ drive.

By air. Book scheduled charter flights with Aerolink Uganda to Apoka airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road. Scheduled flights only operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. A minimum of 7 passengers and can be booked by your tour operator.