Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National park

Kidepo Valley National Park : is the third largest Uganda located in the extreme North Eastern part of Uganda. Actually, the parks borders Kenya in East, by 50km and south Sudan in North by 45km all distance is measured from Apoka. Basically, the entire park is located in Karenga district which separated from Kabongo district in North Karamoja region. Additionally, this is the most distant and isolated wildlife park however, the least visited within Uganda. Although this park is found very far from Kampala the capital city of Uganda, it still upholds its original wilderness. Above all, it hosts over 470 bird species, making it second to Queen Elizabeth National Park as the best place for Bird Watching.

What to do in Kidepo Valley National Park

Bird Watching

As a matter of fact, this is the only park in Uganda that you will get an opportunity to see Ostriches in their natural habitat. Furthermore, it is among Uganda’s top Bird watching destinations. The park headquarters together with the Apoka Rest Camp overlook the beautiful Narus Valley situated in the south. However, these two places are the best places to start a bird watching trip while in Kidepo National Park.

There are a number of beautiful bird species you will be able to encounter within this area among which are; the silver bird. Yellow-billed shrike, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Starlings Mosque Swallow, Ruppell’s weaver. Yellow-rumped Seedeater, Woodpecker, Little Weaver, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Hoopoe, Nubian among others.

Other bird species found in this park are: White-bellied Bustards, Red-winged Pytilias. Hartlaub’s Bustards, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Red-winged Lark. Black-headed Plover, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Clapperton’s Francolin, Red-fronted Barbets. White-bellied Go-away bird, Black-breasted Barbets, White-crested Turaco, Yellow-necked Spurfowl.

Jackson’s Hornbills, Long-tailed Nightjars, Rose-ringed Parakeet Violet-tipped Courser. Standard-winged Nightjars, Black-faded Waxbill, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Singing Bush Lark. Black-bellied Waxbill, Pygmy Falcon, Little Green Bee-eater, Fox Kestrel, Stone Partridge. Abyssinian Rollers, Rufous-crowned Rollers, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Black Coucal as well as Eastern Yellow Hornbills

Game Drives / Wildlife Viewing

Particularly, there are more than 80 different types of mammals which have been seen and recorded inside Kidepo National Park. However, (28) of these species are not seen in any other parts of the country. These include Caracal, Cheetah, Bat-eared Fox as well as Klipspringer. Unfortunately, Kidepo underwent a similar fate of excessive poaching during the governance of president Idd Amin.

Nevertheless, it is still recuperating from that as large number of animals were killed at the time. After that wave of severe poaching, species like the Striped Hyena, Grant’s gazelle, Beisa Oryx and Lesser Kudu have not been seen here again. Thereby, it is alleged that they locally became extinct. On the other hand, a number of other species have since been able to increase in number and now are in very big numbers. Among these are: Kongonis, elephants, Waterbucks, Zebras, Buffaloes as well as the Bohor Reedbucks.

On top of that, there are also numerous predators within this park. Among these are: Leopards, lions and spotted hyenas. Within the Narus Valley, there is a large number of oribis, and Guenther’s Dik diks. These can frequently be seen inside the dry thorny thickets in the northern section of the Park. Besides, other fascinating animals to look out here are the Jackals, the White-tailed Mongoose as well as Senegal Galago.

How to get there/Accommodation/Related safaris

Where to Stay / Accommodation

There are quite a number of accommodation facilities found around and within the park. In other words, these can cater for all types of holidaymakers depending on one’s budget. Otherewise, you can book your accommodation through our company and early bookings are advised.

Apoka Rest Camp

This camp is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Located within the park boundaries and provides basic accommodation in comfortable bandas. However, guests staying here are recommended to carry their food, or inform the management in advance just in case they wish the rest camp to prepare for them food.

Apoka Lodge

Firstly, the lodge offers luxury accommodation and it is located in the middle of the park. Secondly, it offers spacious rooms each having a private veranda, a sitting room as well as an en-suite bathroom. Lastly, the uniqueness about Apoka Lodge is that it has a good restaurant and a beautiful swimming pool.

How to get to Kidepo National Park / Access

The Park can be reached by road transport or air transport. When traveling from the capital city Kampala, the route covers 600 kilometer. More so, it takes you through the northern capital of Gulu town and Kitgum and takes at least 12 hours in a good condition 4WD vehicle.