Kidepo valley national park safari in Uganda

The true African wilderness

A Kidepo valley national park safari package in Uganda’s rugged, semi arid valleys at the country’s borders with south Sudan in the north west and only 5km from the eastern border of Kenya, some 700km from Kampala. Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species.

Furthermore, Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. According to CNN, Kidepo is the world’s fifth best tourism destination given its spectacular wilderness, untampered valleys hosting the largest herds of buffaloes in Africa.

Sightings on Kidepo valley national park safari in Uganda

Kidepo valley national park elephant population has surged from around 200 in the mid 1990’s to between 650 and 1000 today. African Buffalo population is now estimated at 10,000-15,000 and also Rothschild Giraffes are very notable ,breeding more than 50 individuals from the bottleneck of the mid 1990’s population of three and supplemented several from translocation. With a bird checklist of over 476 species with the common Ostrich, secretary bird, northern carmine bee eater, little green bee eater, Abyssinian scimitar bill, Karamojong endemics and many more colorful and visible species. Kidepo valley national park, Africa’s remotest and secretive wilderness is best for solitude travel and yet the most perfect uncrowded wildlife safari destination.

Uganda's Kidepo valley national park safari packages

Kidepo valley national park Uganda safari

5 DAYS KIDEPO VALLEY WILDLIFE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

A 5 day Kidepo national park focused experience is a tourist's gem for Africa safari. You'll spend a day and night in Murchison falls national park to cut the distance short to Kidepo. Expect great sightings of Africa's big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards), Murchison water falls, Rothchild's giraffes, antelopes, zebras, cheetahs, ostriches, secretary birds, kori bustards, hiking, warthogs, water bucks, eagles, sunbirds, hornbills, kingfishers, hippos, nile crocodiles, reptiles, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, hyenas etc.

Ultimate guided Murchison falls Uganda safaris

18 DAYS BIRDING, PRIMATES & WILDLIFE SAFARI

18 days birding Uganda safari is an all inclusive itinerary that takes you to all major game parks in the country. To Kidepo national park via Ziwa rhino sanctuary, you'll spend the night in Gulu or Kitgum town from where you will head to the park. From Kidepo national park, you'll enjoy the rest of parks like Murchison falls, Bwindi impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale forest and Semuliki for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Africa's big 5, golden monkey tracking, tree climbing lions, hot springs

Gorilla trekking safari from USA/ Canada

15 days Uganda primate trekking & wildlife safari

2 weeks/ 15 days Uganda primate trekking and wildlife safari also includes 2 days in Kidepo national park's wilderness. Primates for example golden monkeys, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are tracked in Budongo, Kibale and Bwindi. The 18 days around Uganda's game parks gets to encounter more than 1,000 bird species in all their top natural habits. Some of the bird species to watch include shoebills, ostriches, kori birds, secretary birds, turacos, eagles, hornbills, eagles, sunbirds, warblers, starlings, vultures, geese, flamingos, pelicans, wood peckers, Albertine rift endemics, Guinea Congo biome species etc.

20 day gorilla treks, birding & wildlife trip

3 weeks/ 20 day birding Uganda safari is an all inclusive safari not leaving out Kidepo national park as Uganda second most highly bird concentrated park. Slow travelers and holiday makers enjoy this 20 days Uganda safari encountering some of Africa's top wildlife experiences for example gorilla trekking, golden monkeys tracking, chimpanzee tracking, Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes). Also activities that engage you on bird watching tours include shoebill tracking, boat cruises, hiking, walking safari, nature walks, game drives, photography etc. Top bucket list birds to see in Uganda's tropical forests, swamps, savannah plains, rivers etc. are shoebills, herons, hornbills, flamingos, fish eagles, kingfishers, secretary birds, kori bustards, martial eagles, pigeons, ostriches, pelicans, great blue turacos, Albertine rift endemics, Guinea Congo biome species, Rwenzori region endemics etc.

24 DAYS BIRDING & KIDEPO WILDLIFE UGANDA SAFARI

Another 3 weeks/ 24 days birding Uganda and wildlife safari takes you in all the country's national parks and swamps These parks and swamps host special wild species and birds. Unique species in that thrive only/ mainly in Uganda's nature are; mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, shoebills, Albertine rift endemics, Guinea Congo biome species, Rwenzori region endemics & Rothchild's giraffes. The unique species also come along special sightings for example the Murchison water falls (world's strongest water falls), world's largest hippo pods, nile crocodiles, river Nile, olive baboons, Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos), secretary birds, kori bustards, flamingos, pelicans, ostriches. Swamp endemics expect at Bigodi, Mabamba, Lugogo etc. include papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, shoebills, African jacana, African swamphen, black crake, papyrus yellow warbler, Carruthers's cisticola, kingfishers, geese, goliath heron etc.

30 days all inclusive birding Uganda safari

A month long slow travel itinerary in all Uganda's national parks has Kidepo national park as a special destination. Kidepo national park is the only place in Uganda where to find cheetahs, ostriches and Africa's big 5 (lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards). Along other popular game parks, expect great safari and cultural experiences with primate trekking, wildlife and bird species. Activities and wildlife in this itinerary are: Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo and Kibale forests. gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga. shoebill tracking in Mabamba. Rhino tracking at Ziwa sanctuary. Game drives in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth national parks. Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. Flamingos at crater lakes. Hot springs in Semuliki N.P. Bungee jumping and water rafting at the source of the Nile. Hiking at Sipi falls and Elgon N.P.

Kidepo valley national park safari experience in Uganda

The park contains two rivers – Kidepo and Narus – which disappear in the dry season, leaving just pools for the wildlife. 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, combined with the open, savannah terrain, make the Narus Valley the park’s prime game viewing location especially with its dense populations of Lion, Buffalos, Elephant and many similar angulates. Savannah plains, bush and forests habitats in Kidepo valley game park support a wide diversity of mammals with 86 species including cheetahs, bat-eared fox, stripped hyena and the caracal white eland which is only found in Kidepo and lake Mburo national parks.

Kidepo boasts over 475 bird species a number second in Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National park’s 600+ species. Distinctive bird list includes over 100 dry country residents of northern Uganda and Kenya including a number that are endemic to the Kidepo region e.g. rose ringed parakeets, Clapperton’s francolin and Karamoja apalis. Other highlights include the ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, red-throated bee-eaters, Abyssinian roller, Abyssinian ground hornbill, 56 raptor species including the rare lappet-faced vulture, lesser kestrel and Denham’s bustard.

Narus Valley game drive

Narus Valley south of Apoka is the park’s prime game viewing area as wildlife congregates here for much of the year. Look for buffalo in the swamps along the valley floor, giraffe on the drier slopes above and scan the rock outcrops for lions. In addition to the main game circuits at Kakine, Katurum and Nagusokopire, newly created loops to the north west of Apoka and to the south of the seasonal Crocodile Pool have opened up new parts of the valley to exploration. Narus valley also has the park’s only permanent water source.

Viewpoints at Kidepo valley national park

Binocular viewpoints have been installed at Apoka Rest Camp, Nagusokopire Campsite, and Kakine Campsite. The latter enjoys a superb 3600 panorama that includes the Napore-Nyungea range, the Morungule mountains and Mount Lomej in South Sudan.

Safari game drives in Kidepo valley game park

Compared to the Narus, the dry Kidepo Valley is short on big game but massive on scenery and its vast scale more than justifies the 30km drive from Apoka. Pause on the Narus-Kidepo watershed at Lokimorigen to enjoy a spectacular view towards the looming, 2975m-high Jebel Lotuke in South Sudan before descending to the Kidepo River crossing to walk on the dry, sandy riverbed. Mammals are rare in the vast, semi-arid plains beyond the river but ostriches and secretary birds are often seen. Kanangorok Hot Springs, a modest cluster of small hot pools on the South Sudan border, make a convenient destination, 11km beyond the river.

Nature walks at Kidepo valley national park

Short nature walks around Apoka Rest Camp provide the chance to view species such as zebras, hartebeest and reedbucks. Longer walks through the open grasslands of East Kakine should provide sightings of giraffe, buffalo, elephant and perhaps distant lions. Visitors can also explore part or all of the 15km Rionomoe Trail on the southern side of the Narus valley.

Birding Kidepo valley national park safari Uganda

With it’s high bird population recorded at more than 475 bird species, Kidepo national park is another bird haven for birders from all over the world coming next to Queen Elizabeth national for highest bird concentration in Uganda. Birders are able to sight endemic bird species that are only residents of the Karamojong region. Bird species found in Kidepo valley national park include; ostriches, secretary birds, Egyptian vultures, falcons, Karamoja Apalis, Clapperton’s falcon, kori bustards, Jackson’s hornbill, Nubian woodpecker, Abyssinian roller, Northern carmine bee-eater, little green bee-eater, Abyssinian ground hornbill, superb starling, yellow-billed shrike, red and yellow barbet, black breasted barbet, Silverbird, purple heron, scarlet-chested sunbird etc.

Nature walks & hiking Kidepo valley national park

The Morungule range, which rises from the plains to the north east of Apoka, can be explored on foot with our guide escort.
Community walks provide the opportunity to learn about life in the local Karamojong manyattas (homesteads) at Kawalakol, Lorukul and Karenga.

Cultural experiences along Kidepo national park visit

The Ik people; These are the smallest ethnic group in Uganda living and isolated on the heights of mount Morungole with a rich heritage different from those of other surrounding pastoralist communities. The name “Ik” means the first ones and they believe to be the first natives of the land. They live in Manyattas- well fenced community huts.
The Karamojong; These are traditional pastoralists with most of their survival centered on their interdependence with their cattle. Karamojongs live in Manyattas where they practice most of their culture and pass on skills to young ones for example traditional dances.

Best time to visit Kidepo national park

The best time to visit Kidepo valley national park is during the long dry season of the area from September to March when most game drive routes are easily maneuverable and most animals easily found as they approach Narus river to quench their thirst. Further more, the green season/ wet season of April to August has lush green landscapes which are excellent for birding and photography.

How to get to Kidepo valley national park;

By road: A road trip from Kampala to Kidepo national park takes 10- 12 hours non-stop drive. To make the journey less tiresome especially for elder travelers, the journey can be broken with an overnight in Murchison falls national park or in towns of Gulu or Kitgum.
By air: A domestic chartered flight from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip takes between 1.5 hours to 2 hours. This is recommended for convenience/ comfort and fast travelers unlike slow travelers that can enjoy long road trips.

Safari lodges in Kidepo valley national park

In one of Africa’s top wilderness destinations, Kidepo national park has comfortable & serene safari lodges that are in set up to accommodate you along with all sufficient services. While at Kidepo national park, you will various options of lodges to choose from for example:

Apoka safari lodge

Apoka lodge in Kidepo valley national park situated at 3.79428° N & 33.72528° E, is one of the top rated stays in the African wilderness. Reaching Apoka safari lodge is 561km from Kampala on a 11 hours and 313km from Murchison falls national park on a 6 hours drive.

So Apoka safari lodge will offer rooms at $1,250 per night per person for double rooms and $1,440 for single occupancy.

While at Apoka safari lodge, you can go various activities in Kidepo national park for example;

Game drives
Bird watching
Photography
Hiking & nature walks
Camping & bonfires

Zebra safari lodge

Zebra safari lodge is one of the most comfortable accommodation in Kidepo national park. Reaching Zebra lodge is 558km from Kampala on a 11 hours drive & 6 hours drive from Murchison falls national park that is 310km.

Located 3.70700° N, 33.66132° E, Zebra safari lodge offers single cottages at $118 per night and double/ twin cottages at $212 per night.

You’ll be able to engage the Kidepo wilderness while at Zebra lodge including;

Game drives & wilderness sceneries
Bird watching
Photography
Hiking & nature walks
Camp fires

Mara safari lodge- Kidepo

Another standard top rated safari lodge in the Kidepo national park is the Mara safari lodge nestled at 3.71566° N & 33.66017° E. Travel to Mara safari lodge is 561km from Kampala on a 11 hours drive.

Mara safari lodge offers with rates for single rooms at $120, double rooms at $200 and family cottages at $320.

While at Mara safari lodge, Kidepo national park will offer you various activities such as;

Game drives & wilderness experience
Photography
Bird watching
Hiking & rock climbing
Nature walks