Kidepo Valley National Park: Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
Kidepo Valley National Park also known as the “Hidden Gem of Africa,” is a vast Savannah grassland destination prominently known to offer the Best Wildlife Safaris in Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park comprises of breathtaking scenery and many wildlife animals that are watched here on Game Drive as you transfer along various tracks in the park.
Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the Karamoja region found in the remote North eastern part of Uganda bordering South Sudan and Kenya. The park is spectacular covering an area of 1,442 square kilometers making it the best haven for many wildlife animals.
The park comprises of stunning flora i.e valleys, mountains and savannah which contribute to its rich biodiversity. Various wildlife animals wander around the park and these include; buffaloes, zebras, lions, elephants, and giraffes, elands, hartebeests and oribis, antelope species.
The park also is perfect for bord watching hence all avid borders should get here to watch various species of birds flying around the park (475 species). These include; Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apalis.
How to Get to Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is in the North Eastern Part of Uganda and can be accessed by use of both Air and Road depending on the preferences of the travelers on Wildlife Safari ion Uganda.
By Air:
Kidepo Valley National Park can be accessed by use of Air as you catch domestic Flights from the Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kidepo Airstrip where you are picked up by a driver guide to the park for Game Drive or to check-in lodge.
By Road:
Kidepo Valley National Park can be accessed by use of Road as you transfer from Kampala or Entebbe then transfer to the Norther Eastern Part of Uganda via the Kampala-Gulu Highway then to Kitgum and later to Kidepo Valley National Park. The journey takes you a period of 10 to 12 hours.
Things to do in the Park
Game Drives
Game Drives in Kidepo Valley National Park are very exceptional to do as you transfer from one track to another watching many wildlife animals wandering around the park. These Game Drives are scheduled i.e Morning Game Drive (From 6:00 am), Evening Game Drives (from 2:00 am) and Night Game Drives which give you an opportunity to watch the nocturnal wildlife animals. The animals you watch include; Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Uganda kobs, eland, Reedbuck, Oribi, Cheetah, bat eared fox, lions, leopards etc
Hiking and Nature Walks
Hiking and Nature Walks in Kidepo Valley National Park are exciting to do as you get to explore the unique regions around the park. Hikes are undertaken with lead park ranger guides who take you to the Narus Valley, Kidepo Plains, Lomej Mountains, Namamukweny Valley as you visit the local IK people.
Bird watching
Bird watching in Kidepo Valley National park is very exciting as their are many bird species that inhabit the green forest vegetation habitat. The Bird species you watch include; Dark chanting goshawk, Kori bustard, Little bee-eater, Ostrich,
Red-and-yellow barbet,
lapperton’s Francolin, Black Coucal, African Moustached and the Broad-tailed Warblers, Marsh Tchagra and Crimson-rumped Waxbill.
Cultural Encounters
Kidepo Valley National Park is ideal for Cultural Encounters as you can explore and visit the local Karamajong villages and IK local people that inhabit the remote regions of the park in the lomej Mountains.
