Kidepo Valley National Park is a prime destination in the northern part of Uganda, it is Africa’s 3rd best national park known for its endemic species, these are fond only here and nowhere else in the world, to experience the trueness of the wilderness Kidepo is the number one choice, the remote national park is tucked in between of mountains exposing the magnificent views. The national park covers an area space of approximately 1442 Square Kilometers. The unique ecosystem is divided into two sections, the Kidepo valley and the Narus valley along which are wildlife species. The park was gazette into a national park in the year 1962 as a way of protecting mammals that live within the national park, it hosts 75 species of mammals and over 450 birds call this home.
The name Kidepo means “Dodoth” derived from the original settlers the IK community, the national park is surrounded by the vast savannah disappearing into the angelic mountains, these are so captivating it is the very first thing to capture your eyesight, the Narus valley contains permanent water supply the river beds side lined by the many beautiful sausage trees, borassus palms and grassy lands, along these you will spot the famous reputable number of African buffaloes, expect to see African elephants, leopards, lions, rock hyrax, elands, antelopes like waterbucks, bush backs, Jackson hartebeests, warthogs, zebras, cheetahs to mention a few. The Kidepo valley does not have much wildlife but presents the hot springs the region is so close to south Sudan, during the dry season the borassus palms is the only one that remains with life along river Kidepo it angelically underlined along the dry river bed with beauty.
Popular activities include well distributed game drives along the well distributed game tracks of the park, these take place beginning early in the morning in search of game, together with an experienced guide you will have the best of the park as they will show case what they know, this morning time is busy ass most of the animal species come out to graze and hunt as well, evening game drives, these will have you get the glimpse of the sunset. Visiting the local communities for example the Lorukul community, the cultural group is located outside the park, they are known cattle herders, their tradition attracts travelers to the region, it is one of the most unique tribes of the northern Uganda. Hiking the mountain Morungule will take you to the community of the IK they are nomadic pastoralist as well living in villages known as manyattas. Birding in Kidepo valley national park is reputable there are 475 birds recorded in the national park to date, example species include the Abyssinian ground horn bill, Red checked cordon bleu, Karamojong apalis, sun birds to mention a few. The best place to see birds in the park is along the Narus valley.
There are a number of ways of getting to the national park, it can be accessed by road, the drive takes approximately -/+ 11 hours’ drive to arrive at the destination having a stopover in Gulu town for lunch and proceeding through the beautiful villages of Kitgum. Charter or scheduled flights can be organized to the national park from Entebbe or Kampala Kajansi flight time takes 2 hours to reach Kidpeo Valley National Park landing at the Kidepo airstrip. It is hot in Kidepo most of the year and hence one can visit any time, to add on your experience, there is available accommodation in the park offering a place to stay for travelers example facility is the Apoka Safari Lodge overlooking the expanse of the great Savannah region.