The remote national park lies in the far northeast of Uganda, isolated from the rest of the country by the sparsely populated, arid badlands of Karamoja region. Seldom visited by tourists due to expense and difficulty of getting there, Kidepo is nevertheless one of the most alluring destinations in the country, boasting a strong wilderness atmosphere, rugged mountain scenery and exceptional game viewing and bird watching. The park covers an area of 1,442km and it has an altitude range of between 914m and 2,750m above sea level. The highest point in the park is Mount Morungole 275om on the southeastern border and the slightly higher Mount Lutoke 2,750m  which lies just within the Sudanese border, is visible from several points. The mountainous terrain is broken by the Narus Valley in the southwest and Kidepo Valley in the northeast.

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks making Kidepo an oasis in the semi- desert, but its tract of rugged savannah is home to 77 mammal species and almost 500 birds. Game viewing is exciting all year round including: the elephant, giraffe, zebra, eland, hartebeest, lion, hyena and cheetah, and perhaps Africa’s largest single herd of buffalo roam rolling grassland that extend in all directions towards distant mountain ranges wildlife also includes; species that are rare or absent from other Ugandan protected areas such as Aardwolf, bat- eared fox, cheetah, striped hyena and Ostrich and so is bird watching, foot safaris and mountain climbing.

Size: 1442 sq.km

Location: in the northeast, found in the corner of Uganda’s border with Sudan and Kenya.

Getting there

The park can be reached by both road and air. Driving is rewarding, as much of Karamoja, like Kidepo itself, is a vast and unspoiled wilderness. However, road conditions are sometimes poor and a 4WD vehicle is essential.
There are four possible routes by road as listed below. Optimum driving times are given;

Routes passing west of Lake Kyoga through Acholiland

• Kampala – Karuma – Gulu – Kitgum – Kidepo = 571km (10 hours)
• Kampala – Karuma – Lira – Kotido – Kaabong – Kidepo = 705km (12 hours)

Routes passing east of Lake Kyoga through Karamoja

• Kampala – Mbale – Sironko – Moroto – Kotido – Kaabong – Kidepo = 740km (12 hours)
• Kampala – Mbale – Soroti – Moroto – Kotido – Kaabong – Kidepo = 792km (13 hours)

Air travel

Charter flights to Kidepo may be arranged from Kampala (Kajjansi), Kampala Aero club, or Entebbe with Eagle Aviation. Flights take about two hours. The Civil Aviation Authority plans to make Lomej airstrip near Apoka, an international airport to enable visitors to fly direct to Kidepo from other countries.

What to see there

Apoka Tourism Centre

Overlooking the game-rich Narus Valley and home to an upmarket lodge and simple UWA-run cottages, Apoka is the park’s tourism hub. Ranger guides are stationed at Apoka to escort tourists on game drives and walks. For those without their own transport, park trucks can be hired. There is a craft shop with books and souvenirs; bottled water, sodas and alcoholic beverages can also be purchased here. Food is cooked on request and cooking gas and utensils can be hired by individuals who wish to cook for themselves.

Narus Valley

Narus Valley is rolling, grassland plain enclosed by distant mountains. The valley has permanent water, and for much of the year the park’s wildlife congregates here. Thus, the area is well provided with game tracks, with four loop circuits exploring the valley around Apoka. Many creatures such as lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffaloes, giraffes, oribis and reedbucks can be seen in the valley. Less commonly seen are cheetahs and leopards. The Narus dam and the water hole near the Tourism Centre are perfect observation points for game, especially during the dry season. At the southern end of the Katurum loop, Katurum kopje (the site of a derelict lodge) is an attractive destination with superb views north across the valley towards the Morungole mountain range.

Kidepo Valley and Kanangorok Hot Springs

For most of the year, a lack of surface water means that little wildlife is found in Kidepo Valley, though it is still worth the drive to visit the dry Kidepo River to stroll along its 50m wide bed of white sand between banks covered with Borassus palms. Kidepo means to pick from below and the valley was visited by people coming to gather fallen Borassus fruit for fermenting to make palm beer. The Kanangorok Hot Springs lie 11km beyond the Kidepo River on the Sudan border. This is a glorious place to sit and view the mountains beyond the frontier.

Mount Morungole

Mount Morungole stands at 2,750m and is crossed by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers that nourish the park’s wildlife and this natural habitat as a whole. The Morungole Range marks the southern boundary of the park and rises from the plains a few kilometers northeast of Apoka. This region can be explored on foot with a ranger. The mountain slopes are home to the IK people, the smallest ethnic group in Uganda, with their own unique culture.

Namamukweny Valley

Namamukweny is a Napore word meaning a place with no birds or a lonely place with few people – though regarding the birds, quite the opposite is true! The valley is inhabited by a large number of bird species such as the Eastern Paradise Whydah, White-crested Turaco, Common Bulbul, Abyssinian Roller and Green Wood Hoopoe among others. It is located in the north-west of the park and can be accessed by car or on foot.

Lomej Hills

The Lomej Hills are a short drive from the headquarters. They are a good viewing point for birds and wildlife, including the mountain reedbuck.

Activities done in Kidepo

It is one thing going to the national park and it is a completely different thing to have fun; the fun is never guaranteed. But if you have to have fun, don’t forget the game drives. They are adventurous in every sense of the word. They fun filled, emotive, captivating and you don’t have to miss them. Kidepo national park offers games drives that you don’t find elsewhere on the face of the world. The drives through the park are memorable; they stick at the back of your head like a frozen sculpture. But they differ with time.

Attractions in the park

Hiking and Sightseeing in Kidepo

Hiking may be conducted on Lamoj Mountains only a couple of kilometers from the Headquarters of the Park. Visitors may as well go to see the marvelous Kidepo River Valley covered with Borassus palm forest; its broad flat bed is dried out through the biggest part of the year. From the Kidepo Valley, also you can visit Kanangorok Hot Springs that are situated just 11 km from the Kidepo river valley. The Narus valley is found within the South West part of this park; the rocky Napore Nyagia mountain range actually forms the western boundary. Splitting it from Kidepo Valley in the north-east, are the stunning Natira plus Lokayot Hills. Then to the north in South Sudan are Lotukei Mountains as well as the Morungole range which represents the southern border of this park.

Game viewing in Kidepo

Game viewing can be done along Narus Valley as the park‘s wildlife congregates here much of the year. This area has adequate track circuits enabling visitors view the animals at a close range;  among the various species to see within this park are: the Hunting dog, Bat-eared Fox, Cheetah, Striped Hyena, Caracal, the Aardwolf, elephants, Oribi, Burchell’s zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, bush pigs, Bohor reed buck, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, Defassa water bucks, cape buffaloes, elands, bush duskier, bush bucks, lions, side-striped jackals, leopards, black-backed jackals, various small cats as well as spotted hyenas.

Bird Watching in Kidepo

The park is renowned for its exceptional variety of birds. Out of the Fifty eight recorded birds of prey, fourteen are thought to be specifically endemic to the Kidepo as well as the Karamoja region. Included in these are: the pygmy Falcon, Verreaux’s Eagle plus the Egyptian Vulture, in addition to many other species. This activity can be done either in the morning or afternoon and the park has got a variety of birds and experienced guides who will

Cultural Performance

The nearby local communities possess teams of cultural entertainers that are normally accessible to offer performances on request. These performers have a wide range of traditional dances as well as songs for example the Emuya of the Nyangia as well as the Napore ethnic groups along with Lara Karaka plus Apiti dances performed by the native Acholi people.

Where to stay

• Apoka Safari Lodge

Apoka Safari Lodge is among the very best safari lodges within Uganda.   Wild animals come to your door-steps, you are in the middle of beautiful wonders, wild animals in abundance yet you’re in what is known as the Pearl of Africa Within this distant part of Uganda, Apoka Lodge has established a heaven experience here on earth just for you.  The convenience, the luxury, the fashion and class encompasses you in the middle of this African Wild.

• Apoka Rest Camp

Sixteen self-contained chalets are offered at Apoka Rest Camp which is a hostel consisting of Fourteen Bandas each having 2 beds; the Bandas are actually not self-contained. With regard to visitors who choose camping, this park has 2 ‘Do it yourself’ camping grounds. You have to carry your own tent along with other camping gear.

• Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp

Nga’Moru is found at the border of Kidepo Valley National Park that is situated 320 kilometers north of Kampala the capital city of Uganda. You may choose to fly up to Kidepo from the international Airport in Entebbe and in less than Two hours you will be there, alternatively, you may choose to take an exciting drive by using the Gulu to Kitgum road and in 10 hours you will as well be arriving. A number of the wild animals which often visit the camp include: Elephants, Lions, Hyenas, Zebras and Water bucks.

• UWA campsite (Kakine and Nagusokopire)

If camping in the wild is still pending on your list, this option is a must. Due to their strategic location at the Narus valley, a part of the park that experience less game  drive traffic, the possibility of seeing all the wildlife here is almost  guaranteed. If you want to feel the pulse of the park at night without necessary delving into the darkness, a campfire will be organized for you. For safety, you will be accompanied by a guide. Showers and latrines are available, but plan your own camping gear, drinking water and cooking equipment.