Major Tourist Attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park, Animals.
The Kidepo safari vacation is a lifetime opportunity for nature lovers to explore in-depth the major tourist attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park including animals, bird species, mountains, and unique cultures.
Kidepo Valley National Park is among the very few exceptional African safari destinations that guarantee visitors authentic wilderness experiences. Kidepo National Park lies in isolation in the far Northeastern Uganda, Kaabong District and expands within the rugged, semi-arid valleys close to the border with South Sudan and Kenya.
Kidepo is Uganda’s 3rd biggest National Park after Queen Elizabeth National Park and extends up to 1442sq.km. Kidepo Valley Park was gazetted in 1962, and this is the same year when Uganda also attained its independence.
Kidepo National Park remains to be an extra-ordinary destination. It featured as Africa’s 3rd best wilderness National Park in the 2013 CNN Travel Awards. Kidepo boasts of breathtaking landscapes characterized by vast rugged, semi-arid valleys, savanna landscapes, borassus palms, woodlands, and more.
Major Tourist Attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park National Park
Embarking on a Uganda tour to Kidepo guarantees you unbeatable experiences as you explore the park’s the unique wonders that make this destination the unusual place from the rest. The Park brings out experiences seemingly like those in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Here are the major tourist attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park to explore on Uganda safaris.
Wildlife or Animals – Major tourist attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park
The extensive 1442sq.km Kidepo National Park holds a significant wildlife population and accounts for about 77 mammal species, 470 species of birds and others. The diverse faunal species that range within the diverse habitats in Kidepo include the cape buffaloes, lions, hyenas, the Rothschild giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, reedbucks, oribis, and Jackson’s hartebeest.
Other wildlife in Kidepo Valley include the lesser and greater kudus, aardwolf, caracals, guenther’s dik-dik, bat eared fox, black backed jackals, elephants, lions, leopards, elands, Uganda Kobs, wild dogs, klipspringer, and more. Primates in Kidepo include the unusual patas monkey.
Bird species
Not only is Kidepo most popular for its huge concentration of savanna wildlife, but also holds diversity of bird species. The bird species in Kidepo valley National Park make up part of the major tourist attractions in this protected area.
Over 475 species of birds are concentrated in the various parts of Kidepo National Park making a preferred birding or bird watching destination in East Africa. These include several species of prey birds.
They include the red and yellow barbet, Dark chanting goshawk, ostriches, Kori bustard, Abyssinian ground hornbill, red throated bee-eaters, secretary birds, Egyptian vulture, verreaux’s eagle, and pygmy falcon. There are also several golden pipit, fox’s cisticolas, rufous chatterer, mouse-colored penduline tit, black winged pratincole, Northern white crowned and yellow-billed shrikes.
Other bird species in Kidepo include black rumped waxbill, dusky turtle dove, hartlaub’s turacos, eastern violet backed bird, superb starling, slate colored boubou, white bellied go-away bird, red winged lark, fan-tailed raven, and oxpeckers.
You can also find birds like the purple heron, clapperton’s francolins, Abyssinian rollers, lesser kestrel, pallid harrier, fox’s weaver bird, ring-necked spurfowl, black coucal, crimson rumped waxbill and others.
Narus Valley | Major tourist attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park
The Narus valley is most popular for its excellent game drive experiences. This is one part in Kidepo Valley National Park where you can find permanent water sources and so a huge concentration of the park’s animals confine here. The commonly spotted species of animals in Kidepo include warthogs, the Rothschild giraffes, lions, zebras, elephants, cape buffaloes, oribis, and cheetahs.
Along the Southern edge of the Katurum Loop, Katurum Kopjes, visitors can enjoy exceptional view of the Morungole and several animals. The Narus dam and water hole is available not far from the tourism centre.
Kidepo Valley
Kidepo Valley is also the most preferred location where game drives begin from. It is an ideal place to find ostriches, secretary birds, and others. During the dry months of the year, the white sand and borassus palm forest feature among the only remnants of the once flowing Kidepo River –where the park derives its name.
Kanangorok hot spring
From the Kidepo River to Kanangorok hot spring, it is 11km distance and is found nearby the border with South Sudan. From Apoka in the Northeast, access to the Kanangorok hot springs takes about 1.5 hours. The hot spring lies between the rocks where its water is boiled underneath the earth crust. It later emerges from the rock outcrop to the surface. This hot spring boils up to 50 degrees celsius and the water flows 1 litre per second.
While on a tour to explore the Kanangorok hot springs, expect to learn about the unique cultural and traditional beliefs associated with it. It is also an ideal location to explore the ostriches.
Apoka Tourism Centre
Located overviewing the enriching game viewing Narus Valley, Apoka tourism centre is one of the important tourist sites worth exploring on Uganda safaris in Kidepo National Park. At Apoka tourism centre, you can also pay a visit to the craft shops where you can purchase souvenirs and interesting books.
Unique local cultures
The Kidepo Valley National Park safaris are exceptional in that you can have a combined game drive and cultural experience in the nearby local community. The nearby local communities known for their enriching cultural experiences around Kidepo include the IK and Karamojong (Manyatta) communities.
Morungole Volcano
The scenic Morungole volcano mountain is set at an altitude of 2750m. On its summits, there live the IK community and getting there involves hiking with an experienced guide. Luckily, our exceptional packages incorporate visits to communities and booking one is a great chance for you to have a close interaction with the IK people.
The Karamojong people also live adjacent to Kidepo and they are most popular for their unique cultures and traditions. At the Manyatta, expect to have a close interaction with the Karamojong locals, get entertained by the distinct dances and cultural dances.
Namamukweny Valley
If you are interested in birding or bird watching safaris, then a visit to Namamukweny Valley should be a must-do. The word Namamukweny is derived from the local word which is translated as a place with no birds or a lonely place with few/minority people. While here, expect the different story as diverse bird species await you to catch a glimpse including the white crested turacos, eastern paradise whydahs, green-wood hoopoe and Abyssinian rollers.
Lomej Hills
Lomej Hills are also ideal for bird watching tours in Kidepo and also if you are interested in game viewing, especially the mountain reedbucks. Getting to Lomej is a short distance drive off from Kidepo headquarters where most activities begin from.
Lonyili Mountain
Set between Kitgum and South Sudan border, Lonyili Mountain features a lush montane forest around its surrounding. Its montane forest provides refuge to a number of primates including colobus monkeys.
When to travel to explore the wonders of Kidepo
Kidepo National Park is an all year-round tourism destination. But visitors interested in excellent game viewing experiences can get there around the dry season. This phase of season comes with favorable weather conditions that guarantee you smooth navigation in Kidepo’s game tracks as you search for wildlife. The dry season runs from June to September or December to February –months characterized by low or completely no rainfall record.
Main activities to do in Kidepo National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park boasts of its diverse safari activities to choose from. Some of the key activities to consider on a holiday in Kidepo National Park include game drives, birding or bird watching, nature walks, hiking, and others.
What is Kidepo Valley National Park famous for?
Kidepo National Park is most popular for its rewarding birding encounters, big game encounters and enriching cultural experiences. The park is vast and lonely located in the Karamojong area, and famous for its enriching wilderness African experiences.
Accommodation
There are significant accommodation options worth considering for a night stay. The safari lodges and camps to consider for overnight stay after or before enjoying your Africa safari in Kidepo; Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, Mara Safari Lodge Kidepo, and camping options.
Where is Kidepo found & how to get there?
Kidepo National Park is situated in Northeastern Uganda, and is accessible both by road and air. By road, visitors can begin their journeys from the heart of Kampala or Entebbe city, drive via the Kampala-Gulu highway or Kampala-Jinja-Mbale route. Overall, the road trip to Kidepo can cover about 10-12 hours’ drive. On your journey along Kampala-Gulu highway, you also stand a chance to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
You can also opt for the fastest means which is air travel. Set off from Entebbe Airport to Kidepo airstrip/airfield. On arrival at the airfield, you can be picked up and you connect up to your lodge for relaxation.
Is Kidepo National Park safe to visit?
Yes, Kidepo is safe and secure for tourists to visit to explore its unique attractions. On actual visit, visitors are accompanied by safari guides and in the park, there is a team of professional park ranger guides who do day-to-day patrol to ensure safety of Kidepo as a destination.
What should you carry/pack for your Kidepo Safari?
The ideal items not to miss out of your pack for Kidepo include waterproof walking or hiking boots, a daypack, safari shirts, long trousers, insect repellents, a good camera and extra batteries, first aid kit and others.