Kidepo Valley NP

Kidepo is a stunning park boasting of a real sense of the wilderness that enchants visitors.
Kidepo Valley NP is a stunning park boasting of a real sense of the wilderness that enchants visitors. The mountainous terrain of the park is broken by the Narus valley in the south-west. Considered an oasis in the semi-desert region, Kidepo has 86 mammal species (28 occurring nowhere else in Uganda) and about 500 birds. Here, predators are well represented, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, the bat-eared fox and the insectivorous hyena-like aardwolf. Located in the northeast of the country, the park is 1,436 sq km.

Indeed it is possible to sight a good variety of wildlife simply by scanning the valley with binoculars from the comfort of the Apoka lodge. It is much interesting to take a trip to Kidepo by use of surface road transport which provides en-route view drives and charter flights are booked from Entebbe-Kajjansi airstrip to reach Kidepo.

Kidepo is a stunning park boasting of a real sense of the wilderness that enchants visitors.
Kidepo Valley NP is a stunning park boasting of a real sense of the wilderness that enchants visitors. The mountainous terrain of the park is broken by the Narus valley in the south-west. Considered an oasis in the semi-desert region, Kidepo has 86 mammal species (28 occurring nowhere else in Uganda) and about 500 birds. Here, predators are well represented, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, the bat-eared fox and the insectivorous hyena-like aardwolf. Located in the northeast of the country, the park is 1,436 sq km.

The vegetation is dominated by an open Savannah, with dry mountain forest and acacia forest. The park hosts at least 86 mammal species (elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, bush pig), including many predators, like black backed jackal, African hunting dog, bat eared fox, cheetah, caracal, lions, leopards. There are 17 antelope species. The bird checklist is of 463 species recorded, including 56 raptors, like pygmy falcon, Ostriches’, tawny eagle, secretary bird, vultures.

A number of game drive loops direct visitors to wildlife viewing locations in the Narus valley in the South West of the Park, mountain hiking, bird watching, camping, community visits and cultural performances participation.

At Kidepo national park accommodation is provided at Apoka lodge, N’gamoru wilderness camp (Luxury) and Uganda wildlife authority Banda’s luxury and mid-range respectively. There is an option of camping in the park.

The park can be reached by both road and air. Driving is more rewarding, as much of Karamoja, like Kidepo itself, is a vast and unspoiled wilderness. However, road conditions are sometimes difficult and 4WD vehicles are usually essential.
There are four possible routes by road: routes via Mbale pass to the east of Lake Kyoga to reach northern Uganda; routes via Karuma pass to the west.

• Kampala – Karuma – Gulu – Kitgum – Kidepo = 571kms
• Kampala – Karuma – Lira – Kotido – Kidepo = 705kms
• Kampala – Mbale – Sironko – Kotido – Kaabong – Kidepo = 740kms
• Kampala – Mbale – Soroti – Moroto – Kidepo = 792kms

Visitors should note that the road mainly in use from Kotido to Kaabong passes via Kanawat not via Losilang as indicated on most maps. Enquire at Kotido. Prospective visitors should contact UWA Headquarters or Wild places (the Apoka lodge operator) to obtain up-to-date advice about road conditions and safety to identify the preferred choice of route.
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 has plans to make Lomej, to the east of Apoka, an international airport to enable visitors to fly direct to Kidepo from other countries.