Kidepo Valley National park
KVNP is park located in Northeastern Uganda in Kaabong District in the rugged semi-arid valleys between the Uganda borders with Kenya and Sudan. Lying on 1,442 square km, Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park. This park is undoubtedly among the best wilderness areas in Africa protecting a number of extinct animal species. It is dominated by Mount Morungole and transected by two rivers mainly the Kidepo River and the Narus River forming two major valley systems. Vegetation and animal population vary between the two valleys.
Being the 3rd national park in Africa, Kidepo has a large number of wildlife compared to other national parks in Uganda. The park can only be accessed by road a journey of 12 hours or by air. Kidepo is home to 77 mammal species and over 470 bird species.
Permanent water sources are found in wetlands and remnant pools in Narus Valley near Apoka. Apoka is a tourism hub in the heart of the park. Narus is the main viewing point of wildlife since it provides food and water to the park’s wildlife for much of the year.
ACTIVITIES IN KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
GAME DRIVES
These activities take place in the morning, afternoon or evening and are guided by game rangers. Animals seen on game drives in Kidepo include; buffalos, lions, zebras, warthogs, elephants, jackals, cheetahs, porcupines, giraffes, Jackson’s Harte beast and different types of antelopes.
Basically, there are two different game drives. The Narus Valley game drive that will feed your eyes with wildlife and the Kidepo Valley game drive that will show you the great scenery in the park like the Kanangorok Hot Springs and the Morungule mountain range.
HIKING/NATURE WALK
Hikes start as early as 7a.m and take four hours to reach the Lomej Mountains. Shorter walks take about 2 hours and will take you through the Narus Valley stretching over a 5km radius from Apoka Tourism Centre.
Tourists can also take a walk on the Kidepo River Valley between banks of beautiful palm forest or walk to Namamkweny valley. You can also meet the IK tribes during your hike to Morungule Mountains.
BIRDING
This is also one of the popular activities in Kidepo Valley National Park done in the morning and evening; it being a home to over 470 bird species be ready to for an exciting bird watching activity. At the Narus and Namamukweny Valleys, bird species like the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, the Purple Heron, Abyssinian Roller and the Clapperton’s Francolin only found in this park can be sighted.
CULTURAL TOURS
Do you like learning new cultures? If yes, cultural tours in this park are the best activities to be involved in, be immersed in the Karamong and IK tribes. This will help your discover unique cultures of these remote tribes in Uganda. Be ready for lots of entertainment from cultural performances and indigenous food.
