Top safari activities in Kidepo Valley National Park; Kidepo Valley National Park is famously known as untouched true African wilderness that lies far northeastern semi -rid region of Uganda in Kaabong district at Uganda’s border with Kenya and Sudan. The park was gazetted in 1962 as a national park and covers a total area of about 1,44 square kilometers which is comprised of open savannah grassland, woodlands, mountain forest and acacia forest. More then, Kidepo Valley National Park is a home of about 86 mammal species including buffaloes, giraffes, caracals, jackals, zebras, bush pigs, lions, leopards, cheetahs, African hunting dogs, waterbucks, bushbucks and a great destination with haven of notable bird species with more than 475 bird species such as Ostriches, Kori bustard, Karamoja apalis many more.
Getting there; Getting to Kidepo Valley national park it takes full day to get there traveling from Kampala to main destination as you can drive through several different towns and districts, they may be long traveling journey but rewarding with the country side and the scenic nature, Top Safari Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park .
The best option to reach out here is to travel by air with domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip ‘’Aerolink Uganda, Bar Aviation, Eagle Air, Fly Uganda’’ they will fly you in charter or schedule to Kidepo Airport or Apoka Airstrip with in 1:30hours to land.
Activities done in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game drive viewing is the best done and most interesting activity in the park, recommended to use comfort 4x4WD safari vehicle with a professional guide who will help you to adventure diversity of animals. Game drive in Kidepo are done in different sessions; Morning game drive which starts around 6:30am and evening game drive which starts at around 2:00pm and Night game drive which starts 6pm -7pm within the one hour you can be able to spot nocturnal animals.
Morning game drive is the best session of adventuring parking bio diversity of wildlife species which can be seen before returning back to their hideout. While on morning game drive you’re able to view animals such as Klipspringer, reedbucks, greater, elands, oribis, Jacksons hartebeest, Kob, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, lesser kudus ,guenthers dik-dik many more. During this morning hours there is high chance of seeing predators like leopards, lions, cheetahs, bar eared fox, side striped Jackal and birds of savannah. Along your game drive you can visit the Kanangarok hot springs where you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the mountains, Top Safari Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park .
You can choose to do evening game drive which starts at 2:00pm and best time to see wide range of animals quenching for thirsty, you can visit Narus Valley which is a permanent water source that attracts large concentrations of wildlife mostly during dry season with too much sunshine. Along your experience expect to see reedbucks, buffaloes, giraffes, Oribis, Jackson’s hartebeest and various bird species. At this time, it’s very rare to spot big cats like lions, leopards, cheetahs since they can in their hiding areas due to the hot sun.
Night game drive
Night game drive can be done at night with a strong touch that helps you to provide light for you to see big cats on hunt and nocturnal animals like caracal, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, aardwolf, wild dogs, aardwolf side stripped Jackals many more.
Nature walks/Hiking in Kidepo Valley National park
This is also part of fabulous activity to do in the park which gives visitors a chance to explore the park on foot. On your nature walk you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who knows about the historical information about Kidepo. There is interesting walking trailing escorted with park armed ranger to protect you from any danger. Guided walking safaris in Kidepo can be done in different rewarding areas such as Namamukweny valley, Narus, kidepo plains which leads you to Morungole mountains a home to IK people, take hike to the Lomej mountains many more.
During the guided nature walk which is best in morning hours when the weather is cool and best area to nature with lots of species visit at Apoka tourism office where you can have an opportunity to spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, warthogs ,reedbucks ,waterbucks ,zebras ,giraffes are seen grazing around the savannah. Great location to view beautiful birds like Ostriches, gainful scenery, landscape as you list to sweet sounds of bird species as well as enjoying the cool breeze among others.
Birding Encounter in Kidepo
Kidepo Valley national park is a home to paradise of birds with more than 475bird species recorded including endemic birds, savannah birds, migratory bird species thus making destination to be a great stopping area for birders. Birding in kidepo can be done along game drive or nature walks and birds you expect to see include; Yellow necked spur fowl ,Ostrich ,White bellied bustard ,four banded sand grouse, black breasted barbet, pygmy falcon ,Kori bustard, Africans swallow tailed kite ,Long tailed nightjar ,slate colored boubou ,scarlet chested sunbird, Speckle fronted weaver ,black breasted barbet, brown backed woodpecker ,singing bush lark , Kori bustard ,superb starling, Yellow rumped seed eater ,grey capped social weaver ,purple heron many more, Top Safari Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park .
Cultural encounter in Kidepo Valley National Park
Cultural encounters in Kidepo valley national park give you a great opportunity to interact with the local people like the Karimajong who live in the neighboring villages and visit the IK people who live on top of Morungole mountain .Their cultural encounter will help you discover their amazing lifestyle ,way of living ,visit their locally built Manyatta homesteads , learn how to make their traditional instruments like ,stools ,spears ,beads, buy some craft items from the gift shop, enjoy their cultural entertainment inform of music ,dance and drama.
When is the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park?
Kidepo Valley National Park can be visited throughout the year but most especially during peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. The dry season is the best time for game viewing since the vegetation cover can be short thus helping you to have clear views of animals as lots of animals can be seen around the water bodies to drink water which makes wildlife viewing much easier.
Although Kidepo Valley can also be visited in wet season during the month of March to May and November. During this period of the year the park can be with few crowds and best time for birders with plenty of fruits as well as accommodation rates lowers in wet seasons. Get Started Planning Now!!!
