Kidepo valley national park is located in north eastern part of Uganda covering an area of 1,442 square kilometres (557 sq mi) in karamonja region. Despite the fact that the park is less visited, it has amazing attractions that are rare in other parks. The park was gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts about 80 mammal species.The local communities around the park include pastoral Karamojong people, similar to the Maasai of Kenya, and the IK, a hunter-gatherer tribe whose survival is threatened.
Things to do while in kidepo valley national park.
Game drive.
Kidepo valley national park is the best destination for unique wildlife species that are rare in other national parks in Uganda. Game drive is an activity that takes about 2-3 hours with a guide who knows the best spots for various wildlife species using 4WD vehicles. The park inhabits over 80 species however 28 are notable species which are not found any where. Some of these species can be spot early morning hours or evening hours during game drive. While in the park, visitors will spot hyena, lion, cheetah, African leopard, African wild dog, African bush elephant, giraffe, zebra, African buffalo, bat-eared fox, Rothschild’s giraffe and many more.
Birding watching.
Kidepo valley national park is a birding paradise for birders. The park is a home of 475 bird species which some are migrates and others are endemic. Some of the bird species spotted include Hoopoe, Nubian Woodpecker, Mosque Swallow, the Ruppell’s and Superb Starlings, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Little Weaver and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Ostrich, Secretary Bird, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Fox Kestrel, Stone Partridge, Clapperton’s and Heuglin’s Francolins, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Kori, White-bellied and Hartlaub’s Bustards, Violet-tipped Courser, Black-headed Plover, Four-banded Sand Grouse, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Rose-ringed Parakeet and many more.
Nature walks
Nature walks is an activity involving footing into the wilderness or to local communities. This activity is led by guides who knows what is best for visitors and they advised to keep together during this activity. It takes about 2-3 hours however it helps visitors to reach where vehicles couldn’t reach. During nature walks in local communities, visitors are led to local markets, entertained traditional dances, local doctors who use herbs as medicine, and many more.
Culture encounters.
Kidepo valley national park is the best destination for culture encounters with karamonja. Despite the fact that many cultures in the whole world differ, karamonja’s culture is rich in everything they do. They live in small grass thatched houses called mayatta which are fenced with thrones, they feed on fresh blood and milk from animals, they ae cattle keepers, outstanding way of dressing and many more. Visitors are entertained by their traditional dances, visiting traditional doctors using herbs for medicine, and many more.
What is the best time to visit the park?
Although the park can be visited annually throughout the year, there is always the best time to visit. Uganda the pearl of Africa receives dry season and wet season throughout the year however the best time to visit the park is dry season. During dry season, visitors spot various wildlife species and various bird species unlike in wet season. Although wet season is also good to spot green vegetation with some mammals and birds.
How to access the park?
Kidepo valley national park can be accessed by either road or air transport. The park can also be accessed by public means of transport in that there are buses which travel daily, therefore you can board a bus from Kampala via Mbale, Nakapiripiri to Moroto which takes 6 hours or from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti to Moroto which takes about 8 hours’ drive and then hire a private to those that affords them.
While by air transport, visitors will fly from Entebbe International airport or kajjasi to apoka airfield taking about 2 hours.
Where to stay while in the park?
Apoka rest camp
Apoka rest camp is offering sixteen self -contained cabins and a hostel comprising of fourteen Bandas each having 2 beds that are not self -contained but rather basic. The camp is located in northern part of Uganda. The rooms, on the other hand, are created and fashioned in an African style of architecture and have good fresh air despite the lack of an air conditioner.
The camp offers place for those with tents however does not have an operating restaurant; you will need to bring your own food to feed on. I recommend that you pack your food from Kampala or Mbale, Gulu, and other dependable metropolitan towns, which may offer cuisine of your interest. The camp has some refrigeration, and you may bring in frozen meat. Markets sell eggs, bread, and prepared soups, and you can make a stew with anything from vegetables to meat or chicken.
Adere safari lodge.
Adere safari lodge is located at the edge side of kidepo valley national park with a unique natural setting sitting on jagged and semi-arid rocks of Kidepo. The lodge boasts 20 spacious en suite custom-designed safari cottages with functional Karamojong inspired touches, exclusive settings in the Wilderness of Kidepo Park to allow you get immersed in a truly African authentic experience unlike any other.
The lodge facilitates restaurant for guests to enjoy the delicious international meals prepared by professional chefs, well stocked bar with soft and had drinks, swimming pool for guests to relax in, free wifi, free parking, laundry, and many more.
Zebra Safari Lodge.
Zebra safari lodge is located in kalukudo village as a newly built mid-range lodge in karenga district in karamonja sun-county. The lodge contains 5 spacious and comfortable king size cottages which are grass thatched with glass slided windows with comfort. The rooms are self-contained with toilets, showers, slippers, toilet papers, detergents, mosquito nets, veranda, balcony, mineral water bottles, chairs, tables and many more. Zebra safari lodge facilitates swimming pool, laundry, free wifi, free parking, well stocked bar and restaurant.
