Kidepo Valley National Park

Perched in the northeast of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is the second largest and the most unexploited conservation area in the country. It is seated on an area of approximately 1442 square kilometers neighboring the Karamoja region that is celebrated for its sophisticated cultural encounters with the traditional Karimojong and IK people.

A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park thus exposes a guest not only to the uncommon wildlife experiences but also gets them immersed into the diverse cultures and traditions of the people of Karamoja.

The park is renowned for its beauty made up of rugged savanna grasslands, scattered shrubs, and the diverse array of landscapes dominated by the breathtaking Morungole mountains.

History of the park.

The Kidepo land was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1958 by the British colonial government. The main aim was to protect the animals therein from hunters and also curb the clearing of bushes for tsetse fly control which was intense in the area.

The reserve was later upgraded to National Park status in 1962 by the Ugandan government. At that moment, Uganda had just obtained her independence from the Belgians. It is important to remember that the independence of the country meant the shifting of the absolute control of the national park’s leadership from the hands of the British to the local people.

This saw the overthrow of the then chief warden of the National Park Briton Ian Ross who was replaced by Paul Sali in 1972. This was influenced by the groundbreaking 1974 documentary film – The Wild and the Brave.

Major attractions and uniqueness of Kidepo Valley National Park.

The major tourist attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park are the rare bird species. The park is a concentration area of over 400 bird species. It is among the few conservation areas in the country where one can observe the ostriches.

Being home to the world’s fastest land bird and animal also makes Kidepo Valley National Park unique. The uniqueness of the park also lies in the most unexploited landscapes it engulfs. Visitors to the park therefore have the opportunity to explore and luxuriate in the most naturalistic areas.

The park gives the most remote vibes which makes it a perfect place for adventure enthusiasts.

Other attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Narus River valley. This area in Kidepo Valley National Park is a concentration of several attractive wildlife species. Visitors get to explore the River Valley and stand a chance to set their eyes on cheetahs, African Bush elephants, impalas, waterbucks, and recently the African wild dogs that had long enough been lost were sighted.

Kidepo valley and Kanangorok Hotsprings. This valley is an important bird-watching area and is renowned for its beautiful views which makes it a favorable spot for sightseeing. The Hot Springs further elevate the experiences of the visitors to the River Valley.

They are associated with medicinal purposes which make the visits to the Hot Springs more rewarding.

Mount Morungole. This beautiful mountain rises high above the dry plains of Karamoja and showcases the breathtaking views of the lush vegetation on its slopes. Such views make visits to the park worthwhile.

Activities to do when in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Game drives. These are usually conducted by the Ranger guides of the National Park through the captivating landscapes. They help visitors to have a close encounter with the wild animals which is such an incredible experience.

Bird watching. This is usually conducted at designated centers, especially at Ngamoru and Apoka. Such areas have state-of-the-art binoculars that help visitors view bodies that are both near and far.

Visitors therefore have an opportunity to set their eyes on bird species especially the giant kingfishers, songbirds,narina trogons, pied kingfishers, African spoonbills, African green pigeons, eastern plantain eaters, and the most sought ostriches.

Nature walks.These are conducted under the guidance of Ranger guides. Visitors are presented with the opportunity to walk through the most unexplored areas. Having the chance to walk through the most unexplored areas is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that no adventurer misses out on.

Cultural encounters. These are usually launched to the homesteads of the Karimojong and IK people. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the way of life of these interesting communities and also immerse themselves in their diverse traditional practices.

Climbing Mount Morungole. Visitors to Kidepo Valley National Park can also indulge in climbing up the magnificent mountain Morungole. The hike to the summit presents beautiful views of the underlying Karamoja plains. Visitors further have the chance to explore more of the unexplored areas on the mountain.

Best time to visit Kidepo and its accessibility.

The best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park is during the dry months of September and October. They present ideal weather for safari. Visitors thus have the golden opportunity to traverse through diverse landscapes with no hardships.

It is also important to visit from December to February before the March rains that almost make the roads to the park impassable.

Kidepo Valley National Park can be accessed both by air and road transport. Travelers can choose to fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kidepo Airport from where they can be picked up by a professional tourist guide to embark on their adventures.

Road transport users can embark on drives to the park. The most popular route used by travelers to the park is the Kampala – Gulu highway which is about 567.9 kilometers from Kampala to the park adding up to a driving time of about 10 hours and 29 minutes.