Game viewing in Kidepo valley national park

Game viewing in Kidepo valley national park : Game viewing in Kidepo valley national park is among the activities to do during safaris around the north western part of Uganda.

Kidepo valley national park is among the remote safari destinations in Uganda and there are various wildlife species which can be seen in the wilderness of the national park which consists of rock out crops, savannah plains, hills and valleys.

Wildlife species of a variety can be seen during safaris in Kidepo valley national park and they include elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, impalas, kudu, hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs among others.

Park entrance fees for Kidepo national park

Kidepo national park fees during visit to Uganda are charged differently for Foreign nonresidents, foreign residents and East Africans and also children (5 and 15 years).

Foreign nonresidents visiting Kidepo valley national park on safari are charged park entrance fee of 40 USD for adults and 20 USD for children.

Foreign residents pay park fees of 30 USD for adults visiting Kidepo valley national park and children are charged a park entrance fee of 10 USD.

East Africans visiting Kidepo valley national park are charged park entrance fee of 20,000 Uganda shillings for adults and 5,000 Uganda shillings for children.

Attractions in Kidepo national park

Attractions in Kidepo valley national park are of a variety and range from natural attractions like mountains to the local cultures living around the national park including the following;

• Wildlife species

Wildlife species in Kidepo national park are a key attraction at the destination which include many predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs among others.

There are also elephants, giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas, bushbucks, warthogs, buffalos and many other wildlife species found in Kidepo national park which is a remote destination with vast savannah plains and diverse habitats for the wildlife.

• Mount Moroto

Mount Moroto is at an altitude of about 3083 meters with views of the Karamoja region and the scenic landscapes below.

Hiking is among the activities carried out on Mount Moroto and the highest point on the mountain is Sokodek.

• Mount Morugole

Another attraction in Kidepo national park is Mount Morugole which is also home to the Ik people who live on the mountain.

Mount Morugole is at an altitude of about 2749 meters and hikes on this mountain also involve interactions with the Ik people who have a unique culture.

• Narus valley

The Narus valley is another attraction found in Kidepo national park where guided walks can take place during safaris.

Tourists can enjoy beautiful views of the valley as they search for the different wildlife species like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, lions, antelopes among others around Kidepo national park.

Another valley is the Kidepo valley which can also be visited during safaris around the national park and the valleys are part of the beautiful and diverse scenery and provide a habitat for various wildlife species.

• Local culture

In the surrounding areas of Kidepo national park there are different locals to interact with including the Karamojong and also the Ik among others.

The Karamojong are known for their nomadic lifestyle and dependence on their livestock especially cattle for different purposes including for dowry, for wealth and as a source for food. They are also known for their colorful jewelry including necklaces and bracelets made by the local women.

Activities to do in Kidepo national park

Kidepo national park offers various safari activities for tourists to do as they explore the national park and they include morning and afternoon game drives, guided nature walks, cultural tours, hikes and also bird watching.

• Game drives

Game drives are among the activities to do in Kidepo national park during safaris in search of wildlife species like elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and different antelope species.

During the game drives in Kidepo national park which can be done in the morning or afternoon, tourists get a chance to search for the different wildlife species in their 4×4 safari vehicles and observe the animals and also enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the park.

• Guided nature walks

Exploring Kidepo National Park during guided nature walks is a way to move around the wilderness on foot and is among the exciting activities to do in Kidepo national park.

Guided nature walks are a way to observe the smaller details of the national parks by following the different tracks in Kidepo national park while enjoying the scenic views of the landscapes and also seeing the different wildlife species.

• Cultural tours

Kidepo National Park offers unique opportunities for cultural encounters with the local communities in the region.

Tourists can interact with the Karamojong people and the Ik people during the cultural tours and get to know about their traditional customs, dances, and way of life. This cultural tour experience provides insight into the local culture.

• Hiking

Hiking is another activity done around Kidepo national park and there are different places where this experience takes place including Mount Moroto where hikes can be done for 3 days or Mount Morugole which offers hikes to visit the Ik people.

• Bird watching

With over 475 bird species recorded, Kidepo National Park is a paradise for bird watching and some of the birds which can be seen at the destination include Ostriches, Secretary birds, Kori bustards, Egyptian vultures, Karamoja Apalis, Broad-tailed warbler, Yellow-Billed Shrike, Black Breasted Barbet, Francolins, Little bee eater, Red and Yellow Barbet, Kori Bustard among others.

Best time to visit Kidepo national park

For tourists interested in wildlife viewing in Kidepo valley National Park, the best time to visit is during the dry season when wildlife species can easily be spotted around water sources.  The dry season takes place around June to October and also December, January and February.

However, for tourists interested in bird watching safaris, the wet season (March, April and May and also November) is recommended especially since migratory birds can be seen and it is also a good time for photography due to the lush green landscapes.

How to get to Kidepo national park

Kidepo national park can be accessed through flights from Entebbe airport to the airstrip near Apoka through charter flights.

Another way to get to the national park is by driving from Kampala which takes about 10 to 12 hours using different routes such as the Kampala-Mbale-Moroto-Kotido-Kabong route or the Kampala-Gulu-Kitgum route.