Top activities to do in Kidepo valley national park; Kidepo valley national park is one of Uganda’s most beautiful protected areas located in northeastern part of the country in Karamoja region bordering with Kenya and Sudan, Uganda Safari. Kidepo valley national park covers a total area of 1,442 square kilometers and it’s a home of different wildlife species including elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, cheetahs, bushbucks, warthogs, hippos and variety of bird species.
Top activities to do in Kidepo valley national park
Game drives in Kidepo valley national park
Game drive is the major activity in Kidepo valley national park where visitors get an opportunity to explore the savannah plains in a comfortable Uganda safari van with a professional driver guide. Game drives in Kidepo valley national park can either be done very early in the afternoon when animals are more active or in the afternoon. During the game drive, you will follow different game tracks in the Narus valley and Kidepo valley where you will be able to view animals like buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, hippos, lion, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elands, kudus, oribi, Bohor reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest among others.
Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is a home of over 480 recorded bird species including endemic birds, savannah birds, migratory birds and water bird species which make it the second best Uganda bird watching destination in Uganda after Queen Elizabeth national park. There are top birding areas in Kidepo valley national park including areas around Apoka rest camp, around the fringes of Narus valley and Namamukwenyi valley. During bird watching, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species like black-breasted barbet, ostrich, Karamoja Apalis, mosque swallow, superb starling, broad-tailed warbler, standard-winged nightjars, little green bee-eater, white-crested turaco among others, Top activities to do in Kidepo valley national park.
Nature walks/ hiking in Kidepo valley national park
Nature walk is an interesting activity in Kidepo valley national park where visitors get an opportunity to explore the park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk/ hiking, you will be able to climb the Lomej hills, follow trails in Kidepo valley and Namamukweny valley where you will get up-close and personal with different animals, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, relax your mind in a quiet and peaceful environment among others.
Cultural experiences in Kidepo valley national park
This is an exciting activity in Kidepo valley national park where you will be able to interact with the local people in the neighboring communities. During the cultural experience, you will be able to visit Lorukul cultural group where you will be able to learn about the local peoples culture, way of living, visit their Manyata homesteads, taste their local dishes, visit the museum where they sell souvenirs like beads, hats, sandals, enjoy their traditional dances among others.
Best time to visit Kidepo Valley national park
Kidepo valley national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of July, August, September to March. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the national park therefore access roads will be passable, vegetation will be less and many animals will gather around the water bodies which gives you an opportunity to view animals clearly.
How to get to Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is located in north eastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum and then to the park headquarters which takes about 10 hours’ drive.
When using road transport means to Kidepo valley national park, you will drive from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to the park headquarters which takes about 12 hours’ drive.
When using air transport means, you will book charter or scheduled flights with bar aviation or Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Apoka airstrip and then connect to the park by road.
Where to stay in Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your safari including Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Nga Moru Wilderness Camp, Apoka Rest camp among others.
Kidepo valley national park is one of the most interesting national parks in Uganda that can be combined with gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park.