Why Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park is Worth Visiting in 2023: Kidepo Valley National Park is the third biggest national park in Uganda, and it is located in the Kaabong district in north-eastern Uganda. The national park has a total land area of 1,442 square kilometers and is the best park for landscape and wildlife viewing because it is home to numerous wild animals such as elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, side backed jackals, waterbucks, Oribis, lions, leopards, hyenas, and bird species such as the Ostrich, Kori bustard, pygmy falcon, goliath heron, fox kestrel, standard winged nightjars to mention but a few.
The national park is primarily covered with savannah grassland that is dominated by acacia. It is the most visited national park in Uganda due to its location, which takes about 12 hours’ drive, and visitors who visit will engage in thrilling activities such as game drives, nature walks, birding, and cultural encounters, all of which provide breathtaking experiences on your safari.
Major Attractions and Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park
Wildlife animals
Kidepo Valley National Park is home to around 77 creatures, 28 of which are indigenous to just Kidepo Valley National Park. The great four mammals, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes, are among the creatures. Spotted hyenas, giraffes, zebras, bat-eared foxes, great and lesser kudu, eland, black backed jackal, side striped jackal, bush pigs, warthogs, bushbucks, duikers, waterbucks, Bohor reedbuck, Oribi, aardwolf, DikDik, caracal, Jackson’s hartebeest The ideal time to see the animals in the park is during a game drive, which may be done in the morning, evening, or at night to detect predators and nocturnal creatures.
Bird Species
Birds, the park is a birder’s delight with over 475 bird species, making it Uganda’s second most bird-rich park after Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park also has certain bird species that are not found in any other national park in Uganda, such the ostrich, Karamoja Apalis, and Kori bustard. Egyptian vulture, black headed plover, Verreaux’s eagle, fox kestrel, pygmy falcon, standard winged nightjar, brown backed woodpecker, white crowned shrike, black fading waxbill, black breasted barbet, purple heron, Clapperton’s francolin, and others may be seen in the park. Birding at Kidepo Valley National Park is possible in places such as Namamukweny valley, Narus valley, and the area near Apoka Rest Camp, among others, Why Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park is Worth Visiting.
Explore the Narus Valley
This is located in the park’s southern section. Because this valley provides perennial water, it attracts a large number of animals, including elephants, throughout the dry season. There are multiple game drives routes in the Narus valley where tourists may observe various animals either early in the morning or late in the day. During the Narus Valley game drive, you will see elephants, bat-eared foxes, hyenas, cheetah, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks, side striped jackals, Uganda kob, buffaloes, Oryx, bush pigs, giraffes, and bird species such as secretary bird, black breasted barbet, Karamoja Apalis, and the yellow billed hornbill among others, Why Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park is Worth Visiting.
Hiking Tours on Mount Morungole
Mount Morungole is located in the Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda and rises 2,759 meters above sea level. It is traversed by the Narus and Kidepo rivers. Mount Morungole is a fantastic area for mountain trekking and is home to the IK tribe, one of Uganda’s ethnic communities. Hiking Mount Morungule with a park ranger allows you to see panoramic views of the park, valleys, and connect with the IK people by learning about their culture, lifestyle, and the cuisine they consume, among other things.
Kanangorok hot springs
These are extraordinary hot springs located 11 kilometers from the Sudan border on the Kidepo River. It is difficult to get to these hot springs since you must cross through plants, grass, prickly bushes, and thickets. Kanangorok hot springs reach temperatures beyond 50 degrees Celsius and have a water flow rate of 1 litre per second. The hot springs are one of the greatest places to visit on your safari in Kidepo Valley National Park since you will be able to rest and relax while enjoying the natural spa with amazing views of the mountains, greenery, and some animals, among other things.
Namamukweny valley is located in the park’s north-western corner and is accessible by foot. Namamukweny is a Napore word that means “lonely place with few people, no birds and animals,” but when you visit this valley, it’s quite the opposite because it’s home to a high concentration of birds such as the Abyssinian roller, green wood hoopoe, white crested Turaco, and common bulbul, among others.
Visit Lomej Hills
These hills are near Kidepo Valley National Park and are good for bird watching and wildlife observation. It is a short drive from the park headquarters to Lomej Hills. You will be able to see creatures such as the mountain reedbuck and several bird species when visiting Lomej Hills.
Mountain Lonyili
Lonyili Mountain is located between Kitgum and the South Sudan border and is characterized by montane forest. Because this mountain is home to primates such as the black and white colobus monkey, red tailed monkeys, and many bird species, visitors to Lonyili Mountain may participate in activities such as nature walks and bird watching.
Best Time to Visit Kidepo National Park
The park is open all year, however it is best visited during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. Because there is less rainfall in the park during this time, the grass will be short, allowing for better viewing of the animals. Because water is scarce, many animals will congregate around the Narus River to drink, providing you with a clear view of high animal concentration and allowing you to take good and clear photos.
