Kidepo Valley National Park situated in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of Karamoja in province valley in the far northern border with Sudan. Kidepo Valley is Uganda’s most remote national park which sites on an area of 1,442 square kilometers. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the best virgin places in East Africa where wildlife can be viewed best in Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park is the best for spectacular landscapes and great buffalo herds With sprawling savannah and soaring mountains, Kidepo National Park might be the most picturesque park in Africa which sharing borders with Sudan and Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, it is Uganda’s most beautiful, remote and least-explored park.
Things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game Drive
Game drives are mostly done along the Narus Valley is a rising and falling grassland plain surrounded by faraway mountains. This valley provides permanent water, and through most of the year its wildlife gathers here. Therefore, this area is properly supplied with game tracks, having 4 loop circuits that explore the valley close to Apoka. Several creatures for example lions, reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, buffaloes and giraffes are visible within the valley. Cheetahs plus leopards are as well seen but in smaller numbers. Game viewing can also be done along the Kidepo Valley where one can enjoy the sand bed river especially the dry seasons. The sand bed is like an oasis in a desert. It is lined with palms trees and has plenty of birds.
Nature Walks
Nature walks can be done around Apoka camp at any time of the day and visitors are able to observe a number of animals such as Zebra, Elephant, Reedbuck, and Buffalo. There also long trails and circuits which visitors can walk in the early morning to observe species at close range and enjoy the beautiful wilderness.
Bird Watching
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s Important Bird Areas. The park is only being discovered by birdwatchers and more bird species are being added to the check list of over 475 recorded species. Some of Africa’s rarest and most sought-after birds occur in the park including the Black-breasted Barbet and the Karamoja Apalis. The park is good for semi-arid species which cannot be found in other parts of Uganda such as the Ostrich which is certainly a sight to see in this park. It is also outstanding for its birds prey with 58 species recorded in the area.
The Sand bed along River Kidepo
The sand bed experience during the dry season on river Kidepo can vey fascinating, here one can enjoy the wilderness experience while listening to different bird calls. River Kidepo is an intermittent sand river found in the northern part of the park. It stands out because it is lined by Borasus palms that make it appear like an oasis in the Sahara. Many bird species can be found around this area.
Kidepo Valley and Kanangorok Hot Springs
Through most of the year, shortage of surface water implies that less wildlife is seen within Kidepo Valley, although it is still definitely worth the drive to go to the dried out Kidepo River to walk along its 50 meter wide river bed comprised of white sand in between the banks blanketed with borassus palms. “Kidepo” means “to pick from below” and this valley was frequented by people traveling to collect fallen borassus fruits to use for fermenting when making palm beer. Kanangorok Hot Springs are located 11 kilometers past the Kidepo River along the Sudan border. It is a marvelous place to sit down and observe the mountains far past the frontier.
Climbing Mount Morungole and Visit the IK tribe
Hiking on Morungole Mountain is an attractive activity which leads to the IK people. The great Moroungole expedition which involves a day’s hike through varying vegetation and rocky terrain commanding spectacular views of Kidepo Valley National Park will expose visitors to variety of dances from the IK, their way of life, their unique settlements and you get to learn their unique migration history.
Karamojong Community Tour
The Karamajong tribe is the main local community inhabiting the Karamoja region and neighboring the park. They are some of the most remote people in Uganda and who have not been embraced modernization. The Karamajong culture and way of life is as undisturbed and Kidepo’s wilderness. Set out for a visit to enjoy their unique cultures, traditional houses called Manyattas and their setting of homesteads, traditional dances, traditional handcraft stools, spears and hand bungles from beads.
Where to stay
The facilities of accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park Apoka luxury lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, kakine self catering self campsite as budget loges.