Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda in Karamoja province at the boarder of south Sudan and Kenya near karenga in kaabong district. It is the most isolated park in Uganda but the few who make the journey to this park would agree that it is also the most magnificent. It ranks among Africa’s finest wilderness. The park is transacted by 2 rivers that is, river Kidepo and river Narus.

Kidepo lies in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of Karamoja province between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. It is 700km from Kampala Uganda’s capital and largest city.

There are many things to see in Kidepo Valley National Park and these include;

  • Wild animals in Kidepo Valley National Park

The park shelters over 80 mammals and the commonly found are Elephants, Zebra, Bush Pigs, Rothschild Giraffes, Eland, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Buffalo, Oribi, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Black-backed and Side-backed Jackal buffalo herds to mention but a few.

There also animals in Kidepo Valley National Park that are unique and not found in other parks these include, Caracal, Stripped Hyena, Aardwolf, Cheetah, Bat-eared Fox and Hunting dog are carnivore species, Kidepo is also a home of 5 species of primate including the Kavirondo Bush Baby which is so unique. The park also has a number of rare ungulates including the Greater and Lesser Kudu, Chandlers Mountain Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Dikdik, Bright Gazelle, Beisa Oryx, and Roan Antelope.

  • Various bird species

Narus valley is the greatest spot to begin your Kidepo birding. The park shelters over 475 bird, it is second to Queen Elizabeth National Park which harbors over 625 bird species. Some of the animals in Kidepo valley national park include; vinaceous dove, Hoopoe, Mosque Swallow, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Black Coucal, Nubian Woodpecker among others.

  • Narus Valley

The word Narus is a local name in the Karamajong language meaning “Muddy ground”. Therefore, one is right to call it the Muddy Valley. The Narus valley begins from Mount morungole from the Northeastern part of Apoka passing through the plain part of the park to Sudan. The valley is the best part of spotting mammals in Kidepo Valley National Park because of the permanent water holes and fresh grass that feed hundreds of livestock in the park. Therefore, the Narus valley is the best place for visitors/tourist to have a game drive where you can see a large congregation of wildlife species.

What to See In Kidepo Valley National Park?

  • Apoka Tourism center

This is a place where you can find game rangers that accompany visitors to have nature walk and games drives incase you do not have any guide, at Apoka tourism center, you can hire trucks that help during the game drive, there are craft shops at this place with books and souvenirs, drinks and food can be prepared on request.

  • Kanangorok hot springs

These springs are situated in the Northern park of Kidepo Valley National Park after Kidepo River at the boarder of South Sudan. It is one of the good places to relax and view wildlife in the park. The water is about 50⁰c hot temperature. The locals believe that this water contains spiritual and healing powers for cleansing their bodies and also tourist have started adopting the same belief.

  • Mount Morungule

Mount Morungule is located in Northeastern Apoka the highest in Kidepo Valley National Park ranging at 2,750 m. The mountain is surrounded but large vegetation which attracts a large herd of wildlife hence attracting more tourists.

Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park

It is better and advisable to visit Kidepo Valley National Park during the dry season of December to March then June to August since a large amount of wildlife is concentrated on drinking water and the roads are not very slippery.

How to access Kidepo Valley National Park?

The park can easily be accessed by road or air transport means.

  • Road transport

The park has various routes to use on road for example the eastern route or western route. The Eastern route starts from Kampala through Mbale, sironko, Moroto, kotido, Kaabong and finally to Kidepo Valley National Park covering over 740km and takes about 12 hours’ drive.

The western route takes you from Kampala through Karuma, Gulu, kitgumu and finally to Kidepo Valley National Park which is 570km covering over 10 hours of driving. By using the western part, you will be treated to the scenic view of Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola and Murchison Falls National Part the largest national park and conservation area in Uganda.

  • Air transport

Our domestic airlines such as Aerolink with fly you form Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to apoka airstrip found in Kidepo Valley National Park. With air transport you will reach the park in 1 hour and 30 minutes only.

Your safari to Kidepo Valley National Park will be experiential, adventurous and stress free when you book with Funride adventures limited.