Kidepo valley national park Uganda safari

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. Kidepo’s savannah, bush and forests habitats support a wide diversity of mammals with 86 species including cheetahs, bat-eared fox, stripped hyena and caracal white eland only occurs 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. The distinctive birdlist 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, the Abyssinian roller and the Abyssinian ground hornbill. Kidepo is also notable for 56 raptor species including the rare lappet-faced vulture, lesser kestrel and Denham’s bustard.