Positioned in the northeastern corner, Kidepo Valley National Park boasts the true African wilderness, unsurpassed by other game parks in Uganda. Sharing borders with both Kenya and South Sudan, and located 571km from Kampala, Kidepo is undoubtedly the most isolated park in Uganda.
Due to its vast distance, its beauty has long been hidden from mass tourists and largely unnoticed. Kidepo is nestled in the jagged hills and valleys of the Karamoja region, experiencing a semi-arid climate in the rain shadow of the Ethiopian highlands, which allows a wide variety of animals to call this area home.
Kidepo National Park was first designated as a reserve in 1958 with the aim of protecting animals from poaching. It was finally gazetted as a national park in 1962, the same year Uganda gained independence. For every traveler, few places evoke as much contemplation as Kidepo, thanks to its solitude and peaceful atmosphere, making it one of the quietest parks in Africa.
Kidepo National Park is a gem with a rich diversity of wildlife. The park boasts big game, including the largest herd of buffaloes ever recorded in the world, lions, elephants, and hosts over 77 other mammal species, along with over 475 bird species. Additionally, the park stands out by harboring a few species endemic to the Kidepo area, such as the ostrich and cheetah, attracting a significant number of tourists to this hidden jewel.
Upon entering this wilderness, it’s noted as one of the few parks where visitors can leave the confines of their vehicle, take a guide, and embark on mysterious nature walks through dense vegetation of the marvelous savanna grasslands and scattered shrubs.
Few experiences can surpass a close encounter with Kidepo’s Mother Nature, an experience affirmed by visitors who have explored this unique park. The Narus Valley, surrounded by distant mountains, is the only point with permanent water, making it prime for game viewing in the park. Throughout the year, many animals, including Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, and reedbucks, can be spotted in this valley.
The area is equipped with game tracks, offering four loop circuits that explore the valley around Apoka.
Top Things to See & Do in Kidepo National Park
With all the treasures Kidepo National Park has to offer, a variety of tourist activities can be undertaken to appreciate this exotic beauty.
Game Driving Experiences
Game drives are highly sought-after activities in any Ugandan game park and are also the main activity in Kidepo National Park. Game drives are best enjoyed early in the morning at 7:00 AM or late in the evening at 5:00 PM during magical sunsets when you can witness large herds returning to their kraals and birds flying back to their nests. For the more adventurous, nocturnal or night game drives are also available and require a ranger to accompany you.
On a game drive, you might spot lions perched on various rocks in the valley. Other wildlife includes bush duiker, leopard, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, elephants, ostrich, buffalo, and much more in the wild Narus Valley. The undulating Kidepo Valley is abundant in both big game and incredible scenery. The one-hour drive to Kanangorok Hot Springs offers breathtaking landscapes. A few kilometers north of Apoka, the park’s tourism hub, the road crosses the dry, sandy bed of the Kidepo River, where mammals are scarce but ostriches and secretary birds are often seen.
Nature Walks
Kidepo Valley National Park is beautiful and offers awe-inspiring experiences. With its flat plains and rolling savannahs, where diverse wildlife species roam freely, many travelers cannot resist the temptation to explore this wilderness and discover it for themselves.
A nature walk to the stunning Lamoj Hills provides visitors with an opportunity to spot wildlife in the adjacent valleys. For wilderness photography trips in Kidepo Valley National Park, the Lamoj Hills offer the ultimate chance to capture some incredible shots.
Birding Tours
With over 475 bird species, Kidepo National Park offers more to birders than some game parks in the country. Birding safaris usually begin in the early morning or late evening. The experience can start from Apoka and then head to Namamukweny and Narus valleys, where most of the birds can be spotted. Birds to watch out for include buffalo weavers, white-crested turaco, Clapperton’s francolin (unique to Kidepo), black-breasted barbets, and many others.
Travelers may also encounter the ostrich, the world’s fastest flightless bird, and the Kori bustard, the heaviest bird capable of flight. The wet season is ideal for bird-watching tours here, offering a chance to observe migratory birds.
Cultural Experiences
The Karamojong traditionally lead a nomadic lifestyle, roaming the vast plains of Karamoja with large herds of livestock. These people take pride in their livestock, and the size of a herd symbolizes social status.
For generations, the Karamojong have coexisted with wildlife in this region, sharing watering holes and grazing areas with animals in the park. Historically, the Karamojong raided neighboring communities’ livestock to expand their herds. Local guides can provide insight into their rich culture, allowing visitors to sample their delicious cuisine and see their beautifully designed Manyatta huts and kraals.
Accommodation at Kidepo
Apoka Safari Lodge is the luxury option and the oldest lodge inside Kidepo Valley National Park. Overlooking the Narus River valley, it offers regular sightings of various animals. Visitors can enjoy magnificent views of wildlife and the stunning scenery from the comfort of their rooms.
Kidepo Savannah Lodge is a mid-range facility near Kalokudo Gate on the edge of Kidepo Valley National Park. Apoka Rest Camp is a budget accommodation managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Getting There
Kidepo Valley National Park can be accessed by both road and air. A long day’s drive from Kampala is well worth it, offering views of the majestic Karuma Falls, undulating savannahs of northern Uganda, and the vast, pristine wilderness of the Karamoja region.
However, road conditions are often poor, so a 4WD vehicle is necessary. The common route passes through Luwero-Gulu and Kitgum. Travelers should plan to overnight in one of the towns before continuing to Kidepo or depart early from Kampala to start the journey.
An alternative route passes through Mbale, connecting to Moroto, Kotido, and eventually reaching Kidepo Valley National Park, usually taking about 12 hours. Charter flights from Kampala (Kajjansi) or Entebbe Airport offer an alternative option. Flights typically take a maximum of two hours, providing a convenient means to access Kidepo National Park.
Whenever planning a trip to Uganda, don’t forget to include a visit to the true African wilderness, Kidepo Valley National Park, at the top of your bucket list—it’s one of the few destinations in the country endowed with such natural beauty.
