Kidepo Valley National park
Kidepo Valley National Park is the most vivid isolated national park situated on 1,442 square kilometres featuring uneven vast savanna grassland in the semi-arid regions of Karamoja in the north-eastern segment of Uganda bordering Kenya in just 5KM to the east and South Sudan in the north-west. Kidepo Valley National Park is the least explored park by tourists given a bearing of its distant location from the Kampala Capital City that’s about 700km faraway though now accessible by road and air transportation. It was officially declared as a National Park in 1962, and this was the same time Uganda as a country gained its independence.
Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s third largest national park hosting about 77 mammal species in these are the 20 different predator species like the Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, spotted hyenas and giraffes among more as well as the only wild Ostrich population in Uganda and an encounter of about 475 bird species such as the purple heron, Jackson’s hornbills, chestnut weavers, secretary bird among more.
Location:
LOCATION:
Kidepo Valley National Park is situated approximately 700KM from Kampala Capital City in the semi-arid regions of Karamoja in the Kaboong district near Karenga within the north-eastern segment of Uganda bordering Kenya and South Sudan. Kidepo Valley is set upon a given altitude of 2,750 metre above sea level which is the highest point of Mount Morungole from 914 metres at Narus valley and Kidepo riverbeds. These two incredible valleys and rivers – the Kidepo and Narus valleys offer unmatched game viewing experience of a diverse wildlife like the 77 mammal species, 475 bird species among more.
KIDEPO VALLEY WILDLIFE:
Kidepo Valley National Park is a home to about 77 mammal species of which 20 mammal species are predators among which are the big four animals from The Big Five Animals that’s to say big numbers of Lions, Elephants, Leopards, and buffaloes which are occasionally spotted in any other park than Kidepo. The Park has other mammal species like the spotted hyenas, cheetahs, Zebras, Oribis, Beisa Oryx, roan antelopes, Rothschild Giraffes, caracals, black-backed and side-stripped jackals among more.
The exceptional tourism spots to explore in Kidepo include The Narus Valley, Apoka Tourism Centre, Lonyili Mountains, Kidepo Valley, Morungole Mountains, Kanangorok hot springs, and Namamukweny valley here in these places are greater views of all wildlife.
KIDEPO BIRD SPECIES:
Kidepo Valley National Park is the second-best birding destination after Queen Elizabeth national Park in Uganda nurturing over 475 bird species. Kidepo Valley is the only habitat to have a glimpse on the only wild Ostrich population in Uganda, Kori bustard and other semi-arid bird species include the Jackson’s hornbills, chestnut weavers, pygmy falcons, red throated bee-eaters, golden pipits, purple herons, greater kestrel among more. The must visit birding points in Kidepo Valley National Park include Namamukweny, Apoka Rest Camp, and Narus Valley.
Kabale Forest National Park was found in 1993 and it’s set on an altitude of 1590 meters.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN KIBALE:
- Primates and wildlife;
Kibale Forest National Park concentrates on a wide range of animal species , about 70 mammals which include 13 different primate species making it the world’s primate capital, 375 birds, floral species and other animals. The impressive list of the 13 primate species include; red-tailed monkeys, 1500 chimpanzees , olive Baboons (keep your meal and bag safe ), blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, galagos, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. The other animals that survive in the park include bushbucks, bush pigs, Bush Elephants, warthogs, Leopards, African golden Cats, Otters, Forest hogs, mongoose, buffaloes, and many more.
The main tourists attraction being the Chimpanzees where chimpanzee trekking starts at Kanyanchu Tourist Center and it’s conducted by a professional ranger guide guaranteeing an unforgettable experience with the intelligent primates in their beautiful rich habitats for at least an hour of sight and interactions.
- Birds;
Kibale Forest National Park is a popular destination of bird spieces hosting about 375 birds particularly the forest bird spieces and the endemic. The Park hosts specifically 4 unique bird spieces that are only found in this park, these include the blue-headed bee-eaters, Cassin’s spine tails, Masked apalis and the Nahan’s francolins , blue turacos, Rose turacos. These you will find no whereelse than Kibale, isn’t that very beautiful?
Other bird residents that survive in Kibale include African green breasted pittas, blue breasted kingfishers, tropical boubou, slender billed weaver’s , Grey parrots, red chested owlets, little greenbul, superb sunbird , purple breasted sunbirds and among more. These can be best sighted during the wet season in Uganda that’s March to May and October through November
Activities In Kidepo valley national park
GAME DRIVES
Kidepo valleys are basically flat with uneven vast savannah grassland and woodland vegetation harbouring distinctive mammal species in large numbers making early morning and sunset game drives a main highlight of every Ugandan safari to Kidepo.
Normal game drives usually take about 2 to 3 hours leading tourists to close encounters with the wildlife animals such as the elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, leopards, Rothchild’s Giraffes, Zebras, Elands, hartebeests, warthogs, waterbucks, caracals, lions, jackals, several antelopes, oribis among more. Kidepo is the only destination to explore the wild Ostrich population and spot the cheetah especially during the harsh dry season where the grassland plains are low since there’s less water supplies making a great sight view. In Kidepo Valley National Park, the Narus valley is a popular spot where different mammal species trek to relax and regulate their body temperatures during the hot season making it the place to view the biggest number of wildlife.
KIDEPO BIRD WATCHING:
Kidepo Valley National Park is a third best destination of bird watching in Uganda following its spectacular array of bird species with over 475 bird species such ostriches, varreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture, pigmy falcon, secretary birds, chestnut weavers and hornbills among that can be sighted all year round. The main areas to sight the diversity of birds include Apoka Rest Camp, Narus Valley, Namamukweny Valley
NATURE WALKS
Short and longer guided nature walks by a tour ranger/ park ranger leading tourist to walk on foot through Kidepo Valley thus a golden opportunity to explore more attractions such as the wild in its natural existence, wildlife, the lavish eco-system, sandy river soils, and fresh breath that can be captured clearly on camera scene. Nature walks can be done either early morning or sunset evenings to different areas like a hike to Lamoj Hills offering tourists an aerial view of wildlife and birding, The Narus Valleys which is a popular spot for different mammal species that trek to relax and cool off their body temperatures during the hot dry season and Mount Morungole which is Kidepo Valley National Park’s highest peak where you can visit the IK-tribe in Uganda and learn about their culture and life experience.
- CULTURAL TOURS
Cultural tours in Kidepo Valley National Park offers a chance to learn about the Karamojong and IK people that’s a close interaction between visitors and the local residents living along the park. The Karamojong communities visit allows tourists to explore in depth about the ancient traditions and cultures of the Karamojong people and the IK people communities exist on the edges of Mount Morungole.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK:
- The best time to visit the Kidepo Valley National Park is during the dry season from December through February, March, August to July in Uganda though the park can be visited all year round. During these months, the vegetation has reduced since there’s less water source supplies causing animals to flock around reliable water holes thereby increasing the chance of sighting them for example the Cheetahs that can be viewed hunting on the short grassland vegetations, migratory birds among more. These massive wildlife population there by confine around the remaining water holes of Narus and Kidepo river.
PLACES TO STAY IN AND AROUND KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK:
Kidepo Valley National Park is far away from the urban centres thereby offering fewer accommodation options ranging from budget, mid-range, and luxury stays.
The Budget accommodation options include Mara Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, and Adere Safari Lodge Kidepok among more though need early booking for safe stays.
The Mid-Range Accommodation options like Katurum Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, Nga’Moru wilderness Camp, Kidepo Savannah Lodge among more.
The Luxury Accommodation options such as Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge.
DIRECTIONS TO KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK:
Kidepo Valley National Park is approximately 700km from Kampala Capital City of Uganda accessible by either air or accessible roads. Kidepo has been made accessible to through different routes a normal drive from Kampala city to Kidepo takes about 10 to 12 hours through Luwero – Gulu Highway or Jinja – Mbale route and by air taking about 2 hours only on a flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kidepo Airstrip.