Flying safari to Kidepo valley national park

Flying safari to Kidepo valley national park; Kidepo valley national park is located in north-eastern part of Uganda in Karamoja district bordering with South Sudan and Kenya. Though Kidepo valley national park is the most isolated national park in Uganda, it’s one of Africa’s finest wilderness due to its beautiful scenery, landscape, abundant wildlife, variety of bird species among others. Kidepo valley national park was gazetted in 1962 and it’s a home of over 77 mammal species including buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, oribi, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, zebras, elands, cheetah, Uganda kobs, klipspringer, bat eared fox, hyenas, Gunther’s Dik-Dik, mountain reedbucks, greater and lesser kudu, aardwolf and over 470 bird species.

There are various airline companies in Uganda that organize domestic flights to Kidepo valley national park for example Aerolink Uganda which organizes scheduled and charter domestic flights to Kidepo valley national park. Scheduled domestic flights to Kidepo valley national park depart from Entebbe international airport at 13:00 and arrive at Apoka airstrip at 14:30pm while flights from Kidepo valley national park depart at 15:00pm and arrive at Entebbe airport at 16:30pm. Scheduled flights to/from Kidepo valley national park only operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and require a minimum of 7 passengers to operate.

Apart from using air transport means, Kidepo valley national park can also be accessed by road transport means. When using road transport, there are four routes that you can use for example the route from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 10 hours’ drive.

Route from Kampala via Karuma, lira, Kotido, Kaabong and then to Kidepo valley national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.

Route from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then kidepo valley national park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.

Route from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to the park headquarters which takes about 13 hours’ drive.

Safari activities to do during your safari in Kidepo valley national park

Game drives

Game drive is one of the major activities in Kidepo valley national park where you will get an opportunity to explore the savannah plains in a comfortable pop up safari vehicle. During the game drives which can either be done very early in the morning or in the afternoon, you will follow different game drive tracks such as the Narus and kidepo valley where you will be able to spot different animals like buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, hyenas, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, reedbucks, lions, leopards, elands, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeests among others.

Bird watching

Kidepo valley national park is a home of over 470 including savannah birds, forest birds, migratory birds among others which makes it one of the most visited bird destination in Uganda. During bird watching in Kidepo valley national park, you will be accompanied by a bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species like Kori bustard, black-breasted barbet, greater kestrel, dark chanting goshawk, red and yellow barbet, little bee-eater, golden pipit, chestnut weaver, white-bellied go-away bird, pygmy falcon, Karamoja Apalis, purple grenadier, red-throated bee-eater, rufous chatterer, Jackson’s hornbill, northern carmine bee-eater, dark chanting goshawk among others.

Nature walks

Nature walk is another interesting activity in Kidepo valley national park where you will be able to explore the park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and armed ranger guide to protect you from dangerous animals. During the guided nature walk, which can be done around Apoka Rest Camp, Lomej Mountains, Rionomoe trail among others, you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species including animals like elephants, zebras, giraffes, reedbucks, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, take beautiful pictures among others.

Cultural tours

Cultural tour is an exciting activity in Kidepo valley national park where you will be able to interact with the Karamajong and IK people, learn about their history, culture, way of living, visit their homesteads, listen to their ancient stories, enjoy their traditional performance, buy craft souvenirs among others.

Best time to travel to Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season which is also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to view different animals clearly. During the dry season, access roads and game drive tracks will be dry and passable which makes game drives easy compared to the rainy season when the game drive tracks and muddy and slippery hence making game drives difficult.

Where to stay during your flying safari to Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your safari including Mara safari lodge, Zebra Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, Katurum Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Karatunga Safari Camp, Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Nga Moru Wilderness Camp among others.

For more information about the flying safari to Kidepo valley national park, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for flying safari packages to Kidepo valley national park.