Visiting Kidepo National Park is a real feel of life, set in the remote and secluded North-Eastern corner of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park holds one of the country’s most outstanding and richest collections of natural & cultural wonders. With its stunning landscapes (mountains, rolling hills, valleys, and savannah plains), abundant and rare wildlife species, and over 1442 square kilometers of sweeping wilderness, Kidepo Valley National Park has been described as offering the “True African wilderness experience”. This beautiful safari destination became a National Park in 1962 to protect the rare wildlife species as well as spectacular landscapes. Here are the natural and cultural wonders of visiting Kidepo Valley National Park;
Spectacular Game viewing & Birdlife of Kidepo valley National Park.
Some of Uganda’s rarest animals and birds are sheltered in Kidepo Valley National Park. In this Protected Area, you will see striped and spotted hyenas, genets, black-backed and side-striped jackals, Roan antelopes, Klipspringers, cheetahs, and Chandlers, Ostriches, Greater and lesser kudus, Caracals, Guenther’s Dik-dik, Aardwolf’s and Mountain Reedbucks among others.
Mountains and rolling hills.
When you talk about mountains in Kidepo Valley National Park, think no further than the Mount Morungole range which extends across the significant area of the southern parts of the Protected Area. This beautiful Mountain is known for being the source of the Narus and Kidepo Rivers, which are also the lifeline of animals in this Park. Although not popular, the Lotukei and Lamoj Mountains can be explored during Kidepo tours.
Hot springs in Kidepo Valley National Park
Extreme heat, minerals, water, and limestone fuse to create the spectacular Kanangorok hot springs scattered with Acacia thorns as well as Palms are expected when exploring Kidepo Valley National Park. These beautiful natural wonders are situated on the far northern side of this Protected Area. You can boil eggs in a few minutes while occasionally spotting different wildlife species.
Traditions and lifestyle of the Karamojong People
If you ever desired to visit and learn from a cultural tribe that has preserved its ancient ways of life and traditions, then visiting the semi-nomadic pastoralists around Kidepo Valley National Park is worthwhile. You will be amazed by their unique dressing, traditional homesteads (known as Manyatta), local dishes (milk and animal blood among others), and most especially their invigorating traditional dance performances that involve jumping high in the sky. You will leave wanting more because everything here is authentic and heart-warming.
The perfect time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park
January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. These months provide the most unmatched wildlife viewing experiences as numerous animals converge around watering points, owing to the reduction in rainfall levels and subsequent drying of most temporary watering points only leaving the permanent ones. Also, the vegetation tends to dry during these months hence increasing animal visibility but regardless of season, animals can be viewed all year round at Kidepo Valley National Park.
Make it extra special when you choose to visit Uganda, complement your visit with other national parks including Kibale Forest famous for chimpanzee trekking safaris, and Bwindi forest popular for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation tours in Uganda. Now is the time to discover destinations away from your home. Choose one of our recommendations, grab a deal and enjoy your next trip to Uganda.
