KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK, A HOTSPOT FOR WILDLIFE SAFARIS IN UGANDA.

KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK, A HOTSPOT FOR WILDLIFE SAFARIS IN UGANDA

One of the paradises that one can look up to is Kidepo valley national park when it comes to any safaris in Africa. The park is remote, almost seems to be inaccessible but it is a rich plain covered with rare bird species and unremarkable dust devils of rich animals in the forest which is not yet mapped.

Located on the boarders of north western Kenya and South of South Sudan is Kidepo national park in Kaabong district about 570 km from Uganda's capital Kampala. The park is accessed by road right from Kampala to Gulu via Kitgum to Kaboong entering through Lokumoit gate which is about 12 hours of driving. And by air flights, setting off from Entebbe the sole airport in uganda to Apoka takes roughly one hour.

It is with no doubt that Kidepo national park is one of the best and beautiful destinations in Uganda, with the unique sweeping plains overshadowed by the Narus valley and covered by Morungole mountain, a home to the mysterious IK community. Still the peak furnishes a huge appeal for scenic viewing of the lowlands, this is surely one destination that all travelers on Uganda safaris shouldn't miss. 

The park is simply exceptional with diverse vegetation cover ranging from semi desert to Subtropical vegetation, harboring a large range of flora and fauna, boasting to over 86 mammal species like the lions, jackal, leopards, hyenas and the bat-eared fox, cheetah, Ostrich, hunting dogs and the aardwolf which are endemic to Kidepo national park.

Herbivores like the waterbuck, warthog, zebra, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and the Jackson's hartebeest inhabit the plain lowlands of the national park. However, the fact that Kidepo was isolated and left to its own, with only a few uganda trips heading there, plus the previous civil and cultural conflicts, the park lost some of the species like Gazelle, kudu and oryx which were literally wiped out.

When it comes to birding in Uganda, Kidepo is a paradise with over 470 bird species including the ostrich, pygmy falcon, fox kestrel, black breasted barbet, raptor and African swallow-tailed kite plus many others.

Cultural encounters are also remarkable in Kidepo valley national park. Right on the mount of Morungole, you find the Morungole community well known by their famous name the IK people. During the encounter, visitors get a taste of the Karamoja culture through the home stead’s, visiting their kraals since they are pastoralists and cultural performances from the locals. One can simply call this a visit to the unique people of uganda.

The park also offers hiking experiences with different estimated distances. One from Lomej Mountains taking four hours to the foot and the shorter route takes two hours through Narus valley extending 5km from Apoka Tourism center. It is also recommended that guests can wander along the Kidepo river valley between the banks of the palm forest.

Kidepo valley national park is now benefiting positively from the marketing strategies that have been used to promote the park, and the park’s visitor number has raised over the last few years. Accommodation within the park is exceptional with classic facilities, ranging from camping options, budget, mid range and high end facilities.