Top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park

Are you planning to visit Kidepo Valley National Park and you are trying to find out what are the Top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park?  Kidepo National Park is located in the far northeastern corner-sharing borders Kenya and South Sudan, the park is located in the sparsely populated Karamoja region representing one of the Africa’s most significant and beautiful wildernesses. Kidepo National Park is one of the great places to see wildlife in Uganda giving you an opportunity to see all the Big 4 animals’ wildlife species to see here include elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, Zebras, elands, lions, cheetahs and the Ostriches. Kidepo National Park is as well great for cultural encounters given the fact it is located in an area of rich cultural interest for living around the park. Kidepo National Park is one of the only three areas in Uganda where you can see the cheetahs with the other being Pian Upe Game reserve and northern parts of Murchison Falls National Park. There are many Top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park these include;

Activities to do in Kidepo National Park

Game drives in Kidepo National Park

Game drives in Kidepo National Park are done in Narus and Kidepo Valleys, the Narus valley contains the park’s only permanent water points and wildlife congregates in this area for much of the time throughout the year. During your game drive you will have a chance to see large herds of buffaloes, elephants in the swamps along the valley floor among other wildlife. For Kidepo Valley this has no much wildlife compared to Narus valley but it is great for scenery, ostriches and various bird species giving you an opportunity to enjoy the endless plains and the true African wildernesses.

Nature Walks.

Kidepo National Park is also great for walking safaris and nature walks. These guided walks range from short nature walks around Apoka Rest Camp to Longer walks through the open grasslands of East Kakine and a hike through Rioname Trail to the southern side of the Narus Valley. You will have an opportunity to see various wildlife species and encounter with nature up close.

Bird Watching

Kidepo National Park is a home to various bird species including over 100 bird species which are only residents of northern Uganda and Kenya, various endemic species to Kidepo region for example rose ringed parakeets, clapperton’s francolin and Karamoja apalis among other bird species include the ostrich, secretary bird, kori bustard, red throated bee-eaters, the Abyssinian roller and the Abyssinian ground hornbill among others. You will be guided by experienced ranger bird guides who will help you locate the bird habitants in the park.

Community and cultural walks

These are done outside Kidepo National Park giving you an opportunity to encounter an learn about life in the local Karamojong manyattas at Kawalakol, Lorukul and Karenga communities.

Hiking

The Morungule Mountain range which rises at 2975 meters above sea level from the Kidepo valley plains to the northeast of Apoka. This can be explored on foot with a ranger guide escort giving you time for adventure as you explore the park wildlife and wildernesses.

How to access Kidepo National Park

By Road; A road trip to Kidepo National Park is one of the most great safaris for any tourist visiting Uganda, it is worth it given the fact there is much to see on your way to the park. The quickest and most popular route runs from Kampala via Gulu and Kitugum then connect to Kidepo National park which is 571km. However this will depend from where you will start the travel to the park given the fact the park can be accessed from anywhere depending on your itinerary

By Road you can as well visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for on foot Rhino tracking then proceed to the park; with this you need to have stop in Gulu for overnight to break the journey.

By Air; Flying Safari to Kidepo National Park is also available via charter and scheduled flights from Kajjansi and Entebbe International Airport, operators of these route include Aero Link Uganda and Fly Uganda among others. This however needs to be booked in advance given the fact the routing is mostly determined by the number of travelers aboard the flight with the minimum being 4 people.

Where to stay in Kidepo National Park

Lodge options in Kidepo National Park you can stay in range from budget, mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Apoka Rest Camp and UWA Bandas among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Nga Moru Wilderness Camp and Adere Safari Lodge, among others fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options Apoka Safari Lodge among others fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person.

For travelers visiting Kidepo National Park by air we do recommend you spend atleast a night in Entebbe or Kampala before the start and end day of your safari given the fact the flight routing times change and to avoid all this it is better to have a night to well arrange your travel to Kidepo National Park, then as well to avoid risk of missing the flight in case of uncertainties like loss of your luggage, missed connecting flight to Entebbe on your flight to Uganda among others.

What is the best time to visit Kidepo National Park?

The best time to visit Kidepo National Park is during the dry months of December to February and then June to October during this time the road accessing the park are dry and driving through is easy compared to wet season, as well viewing wildlife and doing game drives it is easy given the fact during this time many animals converge at the water points in Narus valley and see them it is very easy compared to wet seasons of March to May and Later October to November. However the park can as well be visited throughout the year and you will be able to do the above activities in Kidepo National Park

Why book with Eco Adventure Safaris your safari to Kidepo National Park

Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing primate and safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda but have now expended to offer safaris to Tanzania, Kenya and D R Congo. For the last ten years, 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. If contacted, one of our staff will assist in providing accurate and timely information that you can rely on within the Five Minutes. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor. Contact us here about the Top activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park