Kidepo National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the rocky, semi-arid valleys between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya, some 700km from Kampala. It was gazette as a national park in 1962 and it has an abundance of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species as well as 475 bird species. The park is Uganda’s most isolated national park and the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it’s the most wonderful and ranks among Africa’s finest wilderness. During the dry season, the only permanent water in the park is found in wetlands and remnant pools in the broad Narus Valley near Apoka. These seasonal oases, mixed with open, savannah terrain hence making Narus valley the park’s prime game viewing location.

Game Drives in Kidepo Valley

For game drives in the park, it’s always advisable to move with a park ranger who will help you spot the lions that might be sitting on the valley’s various rocks. The other wildlife found here include; elephants, leopards, bush duikers, jackals, bush pigs, bush buck, buffaloes, ostrich and much more in the wild Narus valley.

The Narus Valley game drive;

Wildlife is the most active in the Narus Valley during early mornings and late afternoon. 6 am and 4 pm are the best to set off on the game drives.The souther Narus valley has got the park’s only permanent water points and wildlife congregates in the area for much of the year. Get to look for buffaloes, and elephants in the swamps along the valley floor, the giraffes and elands on the drier slopes above and scan for the lions as well.

The Kidepo Valley Drive

The dry Kidepo Valley is so short on big game but massive on scenery. The hour long drive to Kanangorok Hot springs passes some wonderful land scapes. Its 30km north of the park’s tourism hub at Apoka, the road crosses the dry, sandy bed of the Kidepo River to an extensive plain lined to the east by the Morungule mountain ranges and to the north by the Looming, 2975m high jebel Lotuke in South Sudan. The mammals are rare in this area but the ostriches and secretary birds are often seen.

 

 

Birding in Kidepo Valley

Apoka rest camp is a great spot to start your Kidepo Birding adventure. Birding can also be done on the fringes of the Narus and Namamukweny valley. Among the birds seen are the Abyssinian Roller, Abbyssian ground Hornbill and clapperton Francolin that is found only in Kidepo. The activity can be arranged both in the morning and evening. The silver bird and small bands of the yellow billed shrike are some of the stunning species commonly seen in the thorny trees close to the camp. Just at the rim of the camp is the small permanent water hole that attracts many bird species like the yellow rumped seedeater. The area is also visited frequently by the four banded sandgrouse, elephants, buffaloes, as well as the lions. Just close to the dry bed of the water stream not far from the camp along the trail to the Amok Lodge in the level grass, you will find the Broad tailed warblers, African moustached, Marsh Tchagra & crimson nrumped waxbillood.

The other key bird species found here include; the brown backed woodpecker, superb starling, little green bee eater, Vinaceous, Dove, White bellied Tit, Mosque swallow, Nubian woodpecker, red fronted & black breasted barbets, eastern yellow & jackson’s Hornbills, little weaver & red checked cordon, as well as the red winged lark. Etc.

Hiking / Nature walks in Kidepo Valley

Get to hike to the Lomej Mountains, take leisurely walks through the narus valley, and meet members of the endangred IK tribe and wander the great Kidepo River valley between banks of Borassus pal forest. The Lomei mountains can be reached on foot in four hours, the hike starts at 7am. The shorter guided walks of two hours can be taken through the Narus valley extending over a 5km radius from Apoka Tourism center. The visitors also stroll along the splendid Kidepo River valley between banks of attractive borassus palm forest. The Namamkweny valley can be reached in one hour from Apoka. The visitors also meet members of the IK tribe during the prearranged hikes to the famous Morungole mountains outside the park.

Cultural encounters in Kidepo Valley National Park

Lorokul Cultural Group

These are the notorious, cattle herding Karamojong that occupy the northeastern Uganda, in an area that covers one tenth of the country. Get to discover the unique culture of this remote tribe with the Lorukul cultural group, situated just outside Kidepo National park. Their main livelihood is herding livestock as well as the social and cultural importance that will be explained as you walk with the guides to the traditional Karamojong manyattas (home steads), granaries and cattle enclosures. Learn how the villagers make their typical beads, sample the local cuisines and meet the Karamojong king, who will tell the tribe’s folklore and beliefs. The fee for this safari has contributed to the construction of a clinic as well as the training of midwives’ essential facilities in the isolated region.