Few visitors venture as far as Kidepo Valley National Park, in Uganda’s remote northeast (bordering Kenya and Sudan), though it is probably one of the most magnificent safari destinations in Africa. Enclosed by two river valleys, it is an oasis in the middle of a vast area of inhospitable territory. The 1,440km park offers vistas of rocky outcrops (Kopjes), mountainous vastness and huge, sweeping horizons. Harsh semi-desert scenery suddenly gives way to improbable lush river valleys, criss-crossed by small streams and wetlands. There are two distinct eco-systems, broadly centred around the Narus and Kidepo Rivers, which support an abundance of wildlife – including the ‘big five’. Elephants, buffalos, zebra, bushbucks, Ugandan kobs, Rothschild giraffes, lions, leopards and cheetah are frequently sighted and the birding is excellent (over 475 species). It’s also the only park in Uganda in which you will spot ostrich.

Many visitors to the park choose to track rhinos en-route, stopping overnight at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. In addition, no visit to this remote region would be complete without paying your respects to the Kanangorok Hot Springs and above all, ‘old tired men who stayed behind’ or local Karamojong homesteads. These nomadic pastoralists –who live and die for cattle – have an immeasurable pride in maintaining their traditional way of life amidst an arid expanse of sweeping gold savanna and bush.

This park is known as one the most awe-inspiring parks of Uganda and has many unique species of carnivorous mammals that are not found anywhere else in Uganda . Primary among them are the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and the hunting dog.

This park is in the border region of Uganda , Sudan and Kenya and the views of the expansive savanna that this park offers are breathtaking. It can be reached through road and is one of the few parks that can be reached by chartered flights too.

Major Bird Species

For birders, the park has over 475 species, the second largest number next to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Birds like the black-breasted barbet and Karamoja Apallis, amongst the Great Lakes Region’s most rare species, are mostly seen at the park. The park is naturally gifted with a number of birds that can provide great times watching by any holiday-maker. These include Ostrich, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Fox Kestrel, Stone Partridge, Clapperton’s and Heuglin’s Francolins, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Kori, White-bellied and Hartlaub’s Bustards, Eastern Yellow and Jackson’s Hornbills Violet-tipped Courser, Black-headed Plover, Four-banded Sand Grouse, Bruce’s Green Pigeon and Rose-ringed Parakeet.

The park also has the white-crested turaco, White-bellied Go-away bird, White-faced Scoops Owl, Isabelline and Heuglin’s Wheaters, Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars, Little Green Bee-eater, Abyssinian and Rufous-crowned Rollers, Foxy and Red pate Cisticolas, Abyssinian Ground, , Red-fronted and Black-breasted Barbets, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Singing Bush lark, Red-winged Lark, Ethiopian Swallow, Pied, African Grey Flycatcher, Karamoja Apalis, White-bellied Tit, Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit, Northern White-crowned and Yellow-billed Shrikes, Slate-coloured Boubou and Fan-tailed Raven
Others that cannot jump a visitors sight include superb starling, Red billed Oxpecker, Eastern Violet backed, Pygmy and Beautiful Sunbirds, Rufous and Chestnut Sparrow, Yellow-spotted Petronia, White-headed and White-billed Buffalo Weavers, White-browed and Chestnut- crowned Sparrow Weavers, Grey-capped Social and Speckle-fronted Weavers, Green-winged, Orange-winged and Red-winged Pytilias, Black-bellied and Black-faded Waxbill, Steel-blue and Straw tailed Whydahs, Brown-rumped Bunting.

Things to Do

There is a lot that you can do while at this park. Since this park has diverse species of animals and it is quite common to spot at least a few species, it is quite popular for its game viewing. You could spot lions, leopards, jackals and even tree climbing lions or even an ostrich that was not originally present in the park.

Lamoj Mountains within the parks present an excellent opportunity for hiking and travelers hiking along this trail would be presented with one of the most beautiful scenery that the savannah has to offer.

  • For people who are enthused by less intensive hiking, you could just walk along leisurely and increase your knowledge of African culture by visiting the homesteads, where you can see a lot of items like spears, knives, headdresses etc, for sale. These items can also be purchased as souvenirs. It is recommended that an advance booking be made for such nature walks.
  • There is a picnic spot within the park as well, which offers you the option of relaxing on the sand and listening to the lovely sound of the palm trees.
  • There are several cultural performances conducted by the local community who perform on request and have a wide variety of traditional dances.

Game drives

The major activity is game drives in search of the various exotic animals and plants. The best times for game viewing are early morning at 6 am or later in the evening about 5pm. The game drives are usually done in the Narus valley which is a plain enclosed by distant mountains because the valley has water much of the year, many animals congregate here making it easier to sight them. Watch the animals in the grasslands across a large spectrum. Visit the Katurum kopje, which will provide superb views of the scenery across the valley.

Here is a sneak peek into the wildlife fauna that will cross your path and catch your sight: Zebras, Duikers, Jackson’s hartebeests, Elephants, Lions, Elands, Bat Eared Fox, Geunther’s Dik-Dik, Jackals, Rothschild Giraffes, Striped Hyenas, Klipsinger, Mountain Reedbucks, Buffalos, Defassa Waterbucks, Cheetah, Kongoni, Kobs, Pata Monkeys, Bush Pigs and the only park with Ostriches. The flora includes; Savannah, Borassus palms, Sausage Trees and Acacia.  To say that the list is exhaustive would be far from the truth.

Visiting Kidepo Valley National Park would add an ounce of description to every category of wildlife mentioned above. Lions will not just be lions but tree climbing lions poised in sausage trees or sprawled on rocks at the entrance of Apoka Park. You will not just tell a story of a crocodile but that of unique crocodiles adapted to the arid conditions of the park measuring 2.5Meters as opposed to the usual 4Metres. Visiting Kidepo not only gives you a chance to check the box against sights, sounds, wildlife species and birds, but leaves you with a story to tell about each bird, animal, tree or rock.

Bird watching in Kidepo Valley National Park

Birding is a pleasure in Kidepo valley national park. 475 bird species and many more that have not been formally recorded thrive in this remote yet beautiful park making the park only second to Queen Elizabeth national park in the realm of bird species. The park being savannah, it is easy to spot the birds as you move along. Birding is best in the morning or evening but one is free to spend the entire day with packed lunch in the park.

Some birds in Kidepo are specific to the Karamojong region such as the Karamoja Apalis. Other species available for you to tick off your bird list are the Lammergeyer, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pygmy Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Neophron, Black-Breasted Barbet and Ostriches and 5 species of the hornbills.

Nature and Hiking walks (Walking Safari)

All the different mountains in and outside Karamoja can be hiked but the most common hikes are to Lamoj mountains. It takes about 4 hours to hike and to start early morning before the heat picks up. Nature walks are available and they take 2 hours (Narus valley from Apoka tourism center) which is 5km. One can take 6 hours to Namamukweny valley for the beautiful scenery.

Community walks and Cultural experiences

The Karamoja region has rich cultures of the Karamojong and Ik tribe. The Ik tribe is the most isolated tribes in Uganda living on top of Morungole Mountain. It is an extremely strenuous all day hike to visit this endangered people group. They are largely peaceful hunter-gatherers who have retreated to the mountains for protection from the neighboring cattle-raiding tribes.

A visit to the Karamojong homesteads will give you a glimpse into their pastoral lifestyles, partake of the food, join the dancing, and purchase the crafts like knives, arrows, jewellery, and stools. 

The Hot springs

The bubbly Kanangorok Hot Springs loosely translated to mean the place of black stones simmers away near the South-Sudan border and is believed to have healing powers for skin diseases. The drive to the hot springs takes you past the Kidepo River which is seasonal.

Best times when to visit Kidepo national park for a self-drive safari

Dry Months, Best Time & High Season For Kidepo: September, October, November, December, January and February are the driest, most humid and hottest months but not the peak season of travel in Uganda (except September). Expect few guests compared to the peak season.

The recommended 4X4 cars to use in Kidepo Valley National park

Commonly used and best vehicles for a safari in Kidepo are the 4X4 Land cruisers GX, VX, V8, LX and 4WD safari Landcriuser vehicles. They are designed to give comfort to tourists as they drive to their destinations.

Routes to Kidepo valley national park

The journey from Kampala is long but rewarding as you move along the different vegetation and tribal lands.

Kampala – Mbale – Soroti – Moroto – Kidepo OR Kampala – Mbale – Sironko – Kotido – Kaabong – Kidepo OR Kampala – Gulu – Kitgum – Kidepo

You can also take scheduled or chartered flight from Entebbe to Kidepo.

You can hire a car for Uganda self-drive in a reputable car rental agency. Several car rental agencies guarantee renting you a car in good condition that can maneuver the tough terrains of Uganda and other extra services upon interest for example insightful driver guides, quality camping gear, and so much more.