Entrance Fees in Kidepo National Park
Entrance Fees in Kidepo National Park: Kidepo valley national park, also referred to as the “Masai Mara of Uganda”, is known for its beautiful scenery, vast savannah landscapes and wide variety of wildlife species. Located in Karamoja region northeastern Uganda in Kaabong district, it is the most isolated national parks in Uganda.
The national park was ranked one of the Africa’s finest wildernesses which mean that travellers who visit this isolated national park will have extra ordinary memories. Kidepo valley national park in Northeastern Uganda is a home of animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, and bird species. Some species restricted only to the national park such as the Kori bustard, ostrich, Karamoja Apalis and other species such as silver bird, yellow billed shrike, Clapperton’s francolin, and broad tailed warblers among others.
Park entrance fees for Kidepo Valley National Park.
A Park entrance fee is the amount of money that is paid by any visitor so as to enter Kidepo valley national park. This fee is collected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a tourism body in Uganda and the money is used to develop the national park and neighboring local communities through construction of infrastructures like schools among others.
Adults
Foreign non-residents $40
Foreign residents $30
East African citizens UGX 20,000
Children
Foreign non-residents $20
Foreign residents $10
East African citizens UGX 5,000
Ugandan pupils/students in a group UGX 3,000
Tertiary institutions or universities UGX 5,000
Uganda wildlife clubs UGX 2,000
Annual park entrance passes
Individual
Foreign resident $350
East African citizen UGX 150,000
Couple
Foreign residents $500
East African citizens UGX 200,000
Family with a maximum of 4 children
Foreign residents $700
East African citizens UGX 300, 000
Annual corporate pass
Foreign resident $1,500
East African citizen UGX 2, 500, 000
Safari guide
East African citizen UGX 100,000
Taxi driver
East African citizen UGX 100,000
Tour operator
Foreign resident $50
East African citizen UGX 125,000
Tour company drivers do not pay any park entrance fee when entering the national park or any protected area in Uganda and the foreign residents require a work permit which is valid for one year so as to qualify for an annual pass to enter Kidepo valley national park.
Park entrance fees for vehicles
The parking fees for vehicles in Kidepo valley national park are charged per entry
Motor cycles
Foreign non-resident $30
Foreign resident $5
East African citizen UGX 10,000
Saloon cars
Foreign non- resident $40
Foreign resident $10
East African citizen UGX 20,000
Minibuses, Omni-buses
Foreign non-resident $50
Foreign residents $15
East African citizens UGX 30,000
Pick-ups and 4WD cars
Foreign non-residents $50
Foreign residents $15
East African citizens UGX 30,000
Tour company vehicles
Foreign non-residents $150
Foreign residents $15
East African citizens UGX 30,000
Buses and Lorries
Foreign non-residents $150
Foreign residents $75
East African citizens UGX 150,000
School buses
Foreign residents $25
East African citizens UGX 50,000
Delivery vehicles
Foreign residents $10 per entry
East African citizen UGX 20, 000 per entry
Aircrafts landing fees
The aircraft landing fees exclude the park entry fees for the passengers. Pilots en-route do not pay entry fees that is if they spend less than 2 hours in the park but in case they exceed 2 hours they will have to pay the part entrance fees.
Gliders and Micro lights
Foreign non-residents and foreign resident $10
East African citizens UGX 20,000
Up to 3 Seater
Foreign non- residents and foreign residents $20
East African citizens UGX 40,000
4 to 6 Seater
Foreign non-residents and foreign residents $ 30
East African citizens UGX 60,000
7 to 14 Seater
Foreign non-residents and foreign residents $40
East African citizens UGX 80,000
15 to 20 Seater
Foreign non-residents and foreign residents $50
East African citizens UGX 100,000
21 seats and above
Foreign non-residents and foreign residents $60
East African citizens UGX 120,000
Helicopters
Helicopters carrying visitors to Kidepo valley national park pay entrance fees per landing
Foreign non-residents $100
Foreign residents $125
East African citizens UGX 250,000
Children below the age of 5 years are exempted and after paying park entrance fees, you will be given a ticket which is valid for 24 hours therefore extra time spent in the park after the 24 hours you will be charged an extra day. The entrance fees in Kidepo valley national park do not include the activities that you will engage in while in the park which means that when you engage in activities like guided nature walk and bird watching you will have to pay entrance fees and $30 for foreign non-resident birding and guided nature walk and UGX 10,000 for East African citizens
Kidepo valley national park also has other activities which you can engage in after paying park entrance fees such as game drives, wildlife viewing, cultural encounter.
Guided Game Drives (Private)
Day per vehicle $2O for both Foreign Residents and non-residents alike; and UGX 20,000 for East African Citizens.
Night per person-$ 30 for both Foreign Residents and non-residents; and UGX 50,000 for East African Citizens.
Note: Only pre-registered vehicles will undertake night game drives and use of UWA guides is mandatory for night game drives.
Game Drive Vehicle (UWA vehicle where available)
Day per person- $ 30 for both foreign residents and Non-residents; and UGX 30,000 for East African Citizens.
Night per person- $ 40 for both foreign residents and Non-residents; and UGX 40,000 for East African Citizens.
UWA Executive Buses charge UGX 800,000 per day, includes driver but excludes fuel.
Minimum charge for game drive vehicle is an equivalent of 3 persons.
Guided Nature Walk & Bird Watching
Birding-$ 30 for both Foreign Residents and Non-residents; and UGX 10,000 for East African Citizens.
Day Nature Walk- $15 for both Foreign Residents and Non-residents; and UGX 10,000 for East African Citizens.
Night Nature Walk- $40 for Foreign Non-residents, $ 20 for Foreign Residents and UGX 15,000 for East African Citizens.
Kidepo Lonyili Summit Hike-$ 50 for both Foreign Residents and Non-residents; and UGX 50,000 for East African Citizens.
Getting to Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park in Uganda can be accessed by either road or air transport means.
Road transport
There are several routes to use when travelling by road transport means such as the route from Kampala via Karuma, Lira, Kotido, Kaabong and then to the park headquarters this route takes about 12 hours’ drive but you can have an overnight like in Kotido town and continue the journey the next day.
Another route starts from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum and then to Kidepo valley national park. This route takes about 10 hours’ drive and you can also opt for an overnight in Kitgum town.
There is also a route that starts from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to the park headquarters. This route also takes 12 hours’ drive and you can opt for an overnight in Kotido town.
Route from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo valley national park which takes about 13 hours’ drive.
Air transport
The national park can also be accessed by air transport means in that there are domestic airlines which operate scheduled and charter flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kidepo or Apoka airstrip which take about 2 hours. Flying to the park is the best option because it saves you all travelling for long distances which is tiresome.
