Top activities to do in Kidepo valley national park
Top activities to do in Kidepo valley national park; Kidepo valley national park is located in northeastern part of Uganda in Karamoja region bordering with Kenya and south Sudan. Kidepo valley national park covers a total area of 1,442 square kilometers and it’s a home of different animal species including buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, Jackson’s hartebeest, klipspringer, bat eared fox, elands, kudus, oribi and over 480 recorded bird species including Karamoja apalis, ostriches among others.
Top activities to do in Kidepo valley national park
Game drives in Kidepo valley national park
Game drive is one of the top activities in Kidepo valley national park where visitors will be able to explore the open savannah plains in a comfortable pop up safari vehicle with a professional driver guide. Game drives in Kidepo valley national park is done in two sessions that is the afternoon game drive and the morning game drive where you will be able to view animals when they are more active. Game drives in Kidepo valley national park are carried out in two sections Kidepo valley and the narus valley, during the game drive, you will be able to view different animals like elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, bohor reedbuck, oribi, view predators like leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, lions among others.
Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is a home of over 480 recorded bird species including 28 species from somali-masai biome, savannah birds, forest birds, migratory birds among others which makes it one of best birding destinations. bird watching in Kidepo valley national park is best done in areas like Apoka rest camp and around the fringes of Narus and Namukwenyi valley where you will be able to spot different bird species like red billed oxpecker, greater kestrel, black breasted barbet, northern carmine bee-eater, Abyssinian ground hornbill, scarlet chested sunbird, Verreauxs eagle, purple grenadier, golden pipit, Dark chanting goshawk, pygmy falcon, superb starling, Clappertons francolin, white bellied go-away bird, fox kestrel, Jackson’s hornbill, red –billed oxpecker, Karamoja apalis, ostrich among others.
Nature walks/ hiking in Kidepo valley national park
Nature walk in Kidepo valley national park is an interesting activity where visitors get out of the comfort of the safari vehicle and explore the park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. There are different nature walk areas in Kidepo valley national park such as Kakine circuit, along the Rionomoe trail, around Apoka camp, nature walks through the Narus valley, Namamukweny valley among others. During the guided nature walk, visitors will get up close and personal with different wildlife species like zebras, reedbucks, elephants, view different bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, listen to sweet sounds of bird species singing in trees, relax your mind in a cool environment among others.
Community tour in Kidepo valley national park
Community tour is an interesting activity in Kidepo valley national park where you will be able to interact with the local people in the neighboring communities. During the community tour, you will be able to visit Lorukul village where you will be able to interact with the Karamajong people, learn about their culture, tradition, lifestyle, way of living, visit their traditional homes also called manyata, museum where they sell handmade souvenirs like stools, beads, bows and arrows, knives, jewel, bags, sandals, art paintings, enjoy their traditional dances among others.
Best time to visit Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of July, August and September to march because during this period there is less rainfall in the park therefore vegetation will be short which helps you to have clear views of different wildlife species. During the dry season, many animals gather around the Narus valley to drink water which gives you an opportunity to enjoy great views of abundant animals.
Where to stay in Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park has various accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your Uganda safari including Apoka safari lodge, Kidepo savannah lodge, Nga Moru wilderness camp, Adere safari lodge, Apoka rest camp among others.
How to get to Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is located in northeastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
When using road transport means, there are possible routes that can be used for example a route from Kampala through Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum and then to the park headquarters which takes about 10 hours’ drive.
Route from Kampala through Karuma, Lira, Kotido, Kaabong and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.
Route from Kampala through Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo valley national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.
Route from Kampala through Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to then to Kidepo park headquarters which takes about 13 hours’ drive.
Kidepo valley national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter flights with Aero link Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Apoka airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
