Kidepo Valley National Park
“True African Wilderness"
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northeastern Uganda. “Kidepo” comes from an Indigenous word from the local tribes, “akidep,” which means to pick under. The park covers an area of 1,442 sq km (577 sq mi) and is located remotely compared to other Ugandan Parks. It is undoubtedly one of the best wilderness destinations in Africa. It is a hidden gem unknown to many, making it unique, engaging, and perfect for quiet and phenomenal game drives and birdwatching safaris.
The magnificent characteristics of the park are the savannah landscape and mountain features. The park has a plethora of wildlife, with over 77 mammal species recorded, some of them being endangered species only found in this park and not in other parks in Uganda, which makes it a fantastic location for prime game viewing. The park is home to over 475 bird species, making it a top destination for birding activities.
The Kidepo Valley National Park Highlight:
Narus Valley - The picturesque Narus Valley is covered by grasslands and mountains on the backdrop. With permanent water sources, the valley attracts wildlife throughout the year.
Experience the Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is Uganda’s third largest national park, and only Queen Elizabeth National Park contains greater biodiversity. Kidepo is home to 77 mammal species and the park offers great opportunities for game viewing. 20 species of predator are present, including lion, leopard, and spotted hyena. In Uganda, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, cheetah, and caracal are endemic to Kidepo. The elephant population is over 650 (up from 200 in the mid ‘90s), buffalo are estimated to exceed 10,000, and there are over 50 Rothschild’s giraffes, an internationally important population.
Zebra graze on the plains and both greater and lesser kudu roam around the thick bush. Fortunate adventurers may even see a white-eared kob, more commonly seen in South Sudan and Ethiopia. The bird list currently numbers 470 species. 60 of these are recorded in no other national park in Uganda. East Africa’s population of Clapperton’s francolin and the rose-ringed parakeet are found only in Kidepo. There are 56 species of raptor, and the park’s vultures are thriving. Kidepo is also the only place in Uganda where bird enthusiasts can encounter the majesty of the Common Ostrich.
Best time to visit: Kidepo Valley National Park
Wildlife Experience
Kidepo Valley National Park is home to over 77 mammal species, which include four of the Big 5 ( Elephants, Lions, Leopard and Buffaloes). Other animals include giraffes, lesser kudu, elands, Jackson's hartebeest, Guenther’s dik-dik, oribi, mountain reedbucks, caracal, aardwolf, cheetahs, bat-eared fox, zebras, black-backed and stripped jackals, hyenas among others. The population of Kidepo Valley elephants has increased from approximately 200 in the 1990s to about 1000 today. The population of African Buffalo is estimated to be about 10,000-15000, and giraffes have risen from a population of 3 in the 1990s to the current estimated 50.
Birdlife
Bird watching in Kidepo Valley National Park is the second destination after Queen Elizabeth National Park. A prevalent activity in the park, over 475 bird species have been recorded, which comprises migratory endemic and forest birds. The top areas for birding are around the Apoka Rest Camp, the fringes of Narus Valley and Namakwenyi Valley. For the best experience, morning or evening times are the best with the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Some of the birds include the Egyptian Vulture, Kori bustard, ostrich, red-billed oxpecker, pygmy falcon, white-bellied go-away bird, rufous chatterer, Abyssinian scimitar bill, black-breasted barbet, verreauxs eagle, Ethiopian swallow, Jackson’s hornbill, black coucal, superb starling, chestnut weaver, golden pipit, rose-ringed parakeet, dark chanting goshawk, red and yellow barbet among others. If you are an avid bird-watching lover, birdwatching in Kidepo Valley can be done any time of the year, with the best months of the rainy season from March to May and November
Best time to visit
The weather in Kidepo Valley is characterized by a semi-arid climate with only one rainy season throughout the year. The temperatures range from 29°/84°F to 40°C/104°F during the day, while the nighttime temperatures drop to about 17° C/63°F. The best times to visit the park are during the dry seasons, between September to March and June to August. September to November are the best times to visit since the months are not too hot and dry. Wet Seasons The wet season in Kidepo Valley is experienced from mid-March to August. Even though the months are considered wet, the rainfall is less than in other western and southern Uganda parks.
Getting There?
By Air: You can access Kidepo Valley National Park from Entebbe International Airport in Kampala. The flight from Entebbe to Kidepo is about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Using Aerolink, the flight departs at 12:30 pm and arrives at 14:45 pm.
By Road: Kidepo Valley is located on the remote northeastern side of Uganda, making it challenging for a road trip. However, the most direct route takes approximately 10 hours, covering a distance of about 571 km. The trip can be broken down into overnight stops at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Gulu or Kitgum. The drive is by a 4WD vehicle, and expect poor road conditions on some routes. Even though the road distance is far too long, it is worth the experience.
Related Top Destinations
-
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destination and a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to 460 mountain gorillas, which is some 43% of the global population.
-
Kibale National Park
There are 13 primate species, including L’ Hoest’s monkeys, East Africa's largest population of the endangered species, Ugandan red colobus monkeys, the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and bush babies. The park has approximately 350 bird species and approximately 250 Butterfly species.
-
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is Uganda’s third largest national park, and only Queen Elizabeth National Park contains greater biodiversity. Kidepo is home to 77 mammal species and the park offers great opportunities for game viewing.
-
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda. It is located on the southwestern side and covers an area of 33.9 sq km (13.1 sq mi). It is one of the few parks in the world that is a haven for mountain gorillas. Additionally, the park is home to golden monkeys, a unique type of primate that is also found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The park is also home to about 39 mammal species and 115 bird species.
-
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. The park covers an area of 1483 sq miles(3840 sq km). It is located in northern Uganda at the reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley, with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile River. The park is a must-see when visiting Uganda. It is renowned for its most powerful Murchison Waterfall, which emits approximately 300 cubic meters of water per second or 11,000 ft3/s and is the park's main attraction.
-
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular safari destination. Dominated by grassland savannah, this diverse park also incorporates rainforests, swamps and volcanic crater lakes. Four of the Big Five are present (no rhino), along with chimps and various antelopes and monkeys. A staggering 610 bird species have been recorded.
-
Semuliki National Park
Semliki national park is famous for being home to the largest population of Uganda kobs and birds. The park is a rich wildlife destination with a variety of tourist attractions. The reserve hosts a number of mammals approximately 53 species for example antelopes, buffaloes, Uganda knobs, waterbuck, leopards, lions and forest elephants, primates such as black and white colobus monkey, olive baboons, red tailed monkey, and vervet monkey.