Discover Kidepo Valley National Park

Background

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in Northeast Uganda in Karamoja region, stretching to cover 1,442 square kilometers. The park is largely dominated by mount Morungole and is transected by Narus and Kidepo rivers which normally dry up to become mere pools of water during the dry season.The park is rated as one of

Africa’s finest wildernesses, it’s ragged terrain and semi-arid valleys are a habitat to big game and a home to more than 80 mammal species as well as over 475 bird species. The park is the ideal safari destination for satiating game drives, hikes and nature walks.

Adventure & Activities

1. Game drives

For a great safari experience in Kidepo, a game drive through the park is a ‘must do’ adventure. The isolated wilderness has a wealth of wildlife that is worth encountering. While driving through the park with a professional game range, you will not miss out on seeing large herds of elephants grazing, buffalos, lions – normally spotted sitting on large rocks in the valley, bush pigs, leopards, duikers, bushbucks, jackals, the beautiful ostriches and even the cherished Uganda Kob. The drive is deliberately slow and stops are made at certain places for you take photographs of the awesome wildlife.

2. Bird watching

Kidepo Valley National Park has over 475 bird species out of 58 are recorded as birds of prey and 14 thought to be endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region. Among these species is the pygmy falcon, Egyptian vulture and the varreaux’s eagle. The other birds to see include; the Abyssinian roller, black-breasted barbet, chestnut weaver, jackson’s hornbill, Karamoja apalis, golden pipit, white-eyed kestrel, white-bellied go-away bird, red-throated bee-eater, and the purple grenadier.

3. Cultural-social encounters

Kidepo has some of the smallest ethnic groups in the country, among which is the endangered IK tribe living in Monrungole mountains. They were the initial Northeast dwellers long before the Karamojongs inhabited the land. The tribe numbers to about a measly 10,000 people. The other people to see are the Karamojongs, a tribe of warrior pastoralists who have stuck to the old ways and jealously guard thier cattle. The core of their livelihood is their cattle, they live or die for them; cattle is the symbol of a man’s wealth and social status.

4. Hikes and Nature walks

Kidepo Valley National Park has numerous places to go for a splendid hike and nature walk. There is the lomej mountains, the Narus Valley, the Kidepo river valley through borussus palm forests, the Narus and Kidepo rivers, a hike to Mount Morungole, and a visit to the tepid Kanangarok hot springs. Exploring Kidepo National Park is a fascinating experience not worth missing.