Photography Safaris in Kidepo National Park

Photography Safaris in Kidepo National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s best wildlife and true African Wilderness National Parks, it is the best for photographers interested in scenery photography. Would like to know How much does it cost to visit Kidepo National Park?  At Eco Adventure Safaris we will arrange for you a tailor made package to meet both your budget and expectations with help from our expert safari consultant. The safari costs includes transportation cost, accommodation costs, Activity fees as you plan to spend time in Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo National Park has abundant wildlife species to offer for photography with some wildlife species not found anywhere in Uganda such as the cheetah, aardwolf, caracal, mountain reedbuck, Gunther’s Dik-Dik, greater and lesser kudu and various endemic birds

About Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is located furthest in the North Eastern parts of Uganda and bordering south of Sudan and Kenya. The park covers an area of 1442 square Kilometers which is dominantly covered by savannah grassland and over looked mount molongore, Narus Valley and the seasonal Kidepo valley river. It can be said that this is one of the remaining virgin national parks as its not yet explored that much mainly because of its proximity from Entebbe Airport and Kampala where trips start from but with now the availability of flights to the park this is changing and bringing the park even closer than before.

Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted into a national park in 1958 to prevent the park from further poaching of animals and clearing bushes for tsetse fly control. The displaced communities faced a lot of famine in the region and many moved to neighboring areas of Kenya and Sudan while others moved to the designated communities for relocation, among the communities that lived here included the Ik and Karamajong communities. Ever since gazatting the park it has blossomed with over 80 mammals species and of those 28 being indigenous to the region and over 450 birds species, which makes it a good spot for safari regardless of your interests.

What is the Cost of Park entrance to Kidepo Valley National Park?

How much does it cost to visit Kidepo National Park? The cost of Park entrance fees for the days spent in the Park is a determination to the overall cost of the safari to Kidepo Valley National Park. The Park entrance per day costs USD40 for foreign Nonresidents, USD30 for foreign residents and UGX 20, 000 for East African Citizens. The entrances fees are paid to Uganda wildlife Authority and this will help you to access the Park for any activities you would love to do or just for stay in. You are also required to Pay Vehicle entry fees of UGX 45,000.

What is the cost of Activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park?

How much does it cost to visit Kidepo National Park? The cost of activities to opt to do in Kidepo Valley National Park will determine the cost of the safari as detailed below

Game drives/Wildlife Viewing

Guided game drives with Park guides cost USD20 per Vehicle and Night game drives at USD30 per vehicle, Kidepo is one of the most famous and never disappointing national parks in Uganda when it comes to game viewing with over 80 mammals’ species and 28 mammal species endemic to the karamoja region, travelers to Kidepo Valley National Park are in for a fist for the eyes. The terrine being flat, sighting is much easier here. There is no defined time to do games and it can be either morning evening or even night game drives to look for the nocturnal species. Among animals to spot are lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, Uganda Kobs, Oribs, kudus, buffalos, Oryx, elephants, giraffes, stripped hyenas, reedbucks, waterbucks, duikers and crocodiles among other animals. The game drives are done in the Narus Valley as well as the Kidepo Valley, you will need more time while visiting to completely explore the park and increase chances of seeing animals on different days.

Cultural experiences.

Cultural encounters is one of the best experiences to do in Kidepo Valley national Park, the encounter ranges from USD80 per person. With the indigenous communities around the park, the cultural experience around this region is one of the best and undiluted to visit with the Karamojong’s who are herdsmen’s and live a nomadic type of life style. They are cattle keeps and they roam around while grazing the cattle and stay in homesteads called Manyatas. They pride in keeping large herds of cattle and use it to symbolize wealth and prestige in the community. Also this cattle is used in customary ceremonies for marriage is bride price. While in Kidepo a day visit and experiencing there life style is something not to miss as it will get you close to the way of life and culture of Uganda, with a fee that is charged for this, it goes back to the community to provide clean water in form of construction of boreholes as water is a huge challenge here because of the semi-arid nature of climate in the region.

Ik people.

They stay further in the North and they are the indigenous people who occupied the ranges of mount Molongore. They were relocated when UNESCO gazzeted Kidepo Valley National Park as a National heritage, they are just numbered about thousands and endangered culture of people. They lived the life style of hunters, fruit gatherers, leaves and roots and bee keepers. They have quite a high number of teenage marriages and the ability to get a marriage partner is based on one being able to provide basic survival needs. They live in polygamous families and children as seen as a blessing from God. The community being poor those planning to visit are encouraged to carry them gifts and presents to support them and also high an indigenous guide to take you through the community visit.

Visit to Kanangorok Hot springs in Kidepo.

The Visit to the beautiful hot springs is a budget activity you can enjoy in Kidepo Valley National Park, the indigenous African community and culture have attached different meanings and values to the hot springs which are worth to experience, this ranges from USD30 for local guides at the attraction.

What is the cost of accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park?

Most of the accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park are located within an hour from the Airstrip and they come in all budget options. For those looking at luxury options Apoka Safari Lodge is one to look at, it’s the best lodge in the park with the best service and gives value for money and it ranges from USD470-1040 per person per night. For mid-range options Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Nga Moru Wilderness Camp and Adere Safari Lodge and they range from USD150 per person per night and those looking for a budget place to stay the Apoka Uwa Bandas are the place to stay for very budget travelers. The accommodation you choose to stay and the number of nights determines the overall cost of safari to Kidepo Valley National Park.

What is the cost of Transportation to Kidepo Valley National Park?

Transportation cost is a key determinant of how much it costs to visit Kidepo National Park, Cost involves guides allowance per day, vehicle hire per day, and fuel for the whole entire trip.  Kidepo Valley National Park can easily be accessed by road from Kampala/Entebbe which is about 9-10 hours but we always encourage to break the Journey in Gulu with an overnight. The drive from Kampala/Entebbe can start from the Airport /hotel and with stops for Lunch and Photography. The journey is enjoyable and there is a lot to see on the way. A tip for anyone booking a tour to Kidepo Valley National Park is always to remember to consider using a 4×4 Land cruiser for the trip due to the nature and terrine of the park whether during the dry or wet season, the Land cruiser hire ranges from USD150-250 per day.

There is also and option of flying from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip and the flight is about 2 hours into Apoka Airstrip. There are scheduled flights departing every day with Aero link Uganda and other flight companies, charter flights are also available. Only 4 persons are allowed to fly by Areolink on specific days to Kidepo. The flight fees ranges from USD412 per Adult one way. Contact us to tailor your Package to Kidepo National Park for a great experience depending on your budget.

Why book Photography Safaris in Kidepo National Park with Eco Adventure Safaris.

Eco Adventure Safaris organizes safaris to Kidepo Valley National Park Combined with many choices of activities as well customized Uganda Safari packages. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled with us. Contact us here for more information about Photography Safaris in Kidepo National Park.