Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is highly regarded as the true African wilderness. With incredible wildlife, scenery, and culture Kidepo offers a very unique off-the-beaten-track safari experience.

The magnificence of Kidepo’s natural beauty is better experienced on its own. Kidepo Valley National park is truly one of Uganda’s best treasures however much it remains hidden. The visitors who take the long journey up north to the park always marvel at the unexpected gem.

CNN Travel described Kidepo Valley National Park as One of Ugandan’s best treasures in this article from January 2016.

The combination of great landscapes, thriving wildlife, and pure unaltered wilderness is why Kidepo Valley National Park’s popularity with visitors keeps growing. Visit Kidepo Valley with Exclusive African Safaris for the best Safari planning and handling services.

  • Location:Karamoja Region, Northeastern Uganda
  • Size:1442 Square kilometers (556.7 Square miles)
  • Altitudinal Range:914 to 2750 meters above sea level
  • Designation Status:National Park since 1962
  • Mammal Species:77 Mammal Species
  • Bird Species:475 bird species – with 60 not in any other Ugandan National Park
  • Popular Activities:Game Drives, Bird Watching, Hiking/Nature walk, Cultural Visits
  • Ownership:Uganda Wildlife Authority (Government of Uganda)

Its location in the northeastern part of Uganda along the border with Both Kenya and South Sudan is the major reason why it has stayed fairly unnoticed and truly untouched by the world.

The National park is transected by two seasonal rivers; river Kidepo and river Narus. In the wet seasons, these two rivers are like any other river (with flowing water and all that) but they amaze during the dry season. In the dry season, the river beds become dry and one can walk along the river bed. In case of very heavy rains, the rivers can also experience flash floods that will last only a few hours for the water to flow over into South Sudan.

With more than 77 mammals and close to 500 bird species, Kidepo’s most popular attraction is the wildlife and game viewing safaris. With animals such as Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Spotted hyena and leopard, Kidepo’s variety in wild animals makes for perfect wilderness adventure.

Kidepo Valley National Park is well known for its wildlife diversity and beautiful landscape. Being the most isolated of all Uganda’s national parks, Kidepo’s wilderness is a natural as it ever was – and could be.

Kidepo National Park boosts with around 77 mammal species – among which include lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cape buffalo, Antelopes among others. Kidepo Valley National Park is home to some animal species which are not found anywhere else in Uganda, such as cheetah, Caracal, Aardwolf, Greater and lesser kudu, and mountain reedbuck among others.

Even though Kidepo Valley National Park is regarded as a savannah reserve, there exist 5 primate species- including the rare and localized patas monkey. These primates can also be seen on a safari to Kidepo.

Activities

Bird Watching

Kidepo Valley has a very impressive bird list of around 475 species, the second-highest population of any Ugandan reserve, with about 60 birds that are not seen anywhere else in Uganda.

Such notable bird species include Dark chanting goshawk, Kori bustard, and little bee-eater, Ostrich, Red-and-yellow barbet and so on.

With such a huge variety of birds, Kidepo is home to the most avid of bird watchers. With 58 birds of prey, 14 of which are endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region, you will be guaranteed some action that you wouldn’t get anywhere else in Uganda.

Check out our Bird Watching Safaris for exciting birding itineraries to all the Ugandan hotspots.

Hiking / Nature Walks

Kidepo national park presents great opportunities for you to enjoy a hike or walk through- and be one with nature. The hike to the Lomej Mountains is a great site seeing experience to enjoy on a safari in Kidepo. Leisurely walks through the river valleys of Nurus and Kidepo are perfect for both wildlife sighting and relaxed wondering and adventure.

Cultural Encounters With The Locals

The local communities that live near Kidepo Valley are mainly comprised of the Karamojong nomadic cattle-keepers. Learning about their traditional ways of life and beliefs is a great way for one to feel like they belong with Kidepo and Uganda.

The other tribe of people is the IK tribe of hunter-gatherers whose culture and language is not common with any other tribe. According to folklore, they came from Ethiopia hundreds of years ago and will one day move away from Kidepo.

Best time

Best time to visit is in the dry season that lasts from September and all through to March, vegetation is sparser, and sighting animals around watering holes is easier. July and August are the next best months to visit as the rainy period transits to the dry period.

About Us

Exclusive African Safaris Ltd is a Uganda-based company with 15+ years of creating great safaris in Uganda & Rwanda.

Our safaris offer great value for your money – while being good for people and planet.

Our Address

Exclusive African Safaris Ltd

Imani Complex, First Floor,
Suite L2L, Plot 6522.
Mulawa – Kira, Wakiso – Uganda

+256 772 887 484
info@exclusiveafricansafaris.com

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