Safari tips in Kidepo Valley National Park

Safari Tips; Kidepo valley national park is located averagely 700 km northeast of Kampala. The fastest travel to Kidepo valley national park is 2-hour air travel from Kajjansi airstrip, Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. Safe road travel takes average 10 hours. It is appropriate to have a night stop in a town along the way. However, far by distance, the travelers who take Uganda safari to Kidepo valley national park explore a virgin wilderness and discover a perfect haven for adventure escape.

Kidepo valley national park is a safe Uganda safari destination. The visitor on tour to Uganda interacts majorly with staff in tourism service or the communities highly sensitized about tourism business. Should anything out of travel program show up abruptly be rest assured of instant help. Below are some of the Safari Tips one should follow carefully on tour to Kidepo Valley National Park;

Karamoja region where Kidepo valley national park is located is semi arid. Daily temperatures average 27°C/81°F and on a few occasions have reached 40⁰C. Travelers on visit to Kidepo valley national park need to know one of the safari tips which is the need pack light cotton clothes in dull color. Bright color attracts insects / bugs. Take many non-alcoholic liquids before and during travel to keep body hydrated. Pack safari hut, cap, flip flops, pair of safari shorts, sunglasses and sun cream.

Malaria is number one killer disease on African continent and mosquitoes that transmit it inhabit hot areas. Most likely, the travelers on tour of Uganda never get to see any person suffering from malaria. Nevertheless, may see the mosquitoes though it does not mean they infect malaria. Take caution; carry and use insect repellent while on safari, get a malaria vaccination before travel, wear long clothes especially evening and make use of mosquito net on your bed. Many hotels and safari camps fumigate rooms and have other precautionary measures against mosquitoes.

Very short dress in any form considered inappropriate. This is one of the safari tips that will keep you out of trouble. Some African communities in the countryside still have traditional beliefs and are conservative in nature. Uganda is a multi religious country and some communities confess Islamic faith. Skimpy dressing is associated with lack of morals, invites curious eyes and some individuals may look you down. Make sure to keep decent.

Taking travel photos is wonderful, part of adventure and photos always bring back everlasting travel memories to the traveler. To the person in photograph the feeling could be different because he does not know the intentions. It is appropriate to request permission from the person you wish to capture in your photos. It is more polite if you take the photo with them to erase the ambiguity. Remember they may not know your language and will communicate with rude actions. Make sure to put these safari tips in consideration otherwise you might spark a conflict.

It is highly advisable to move with a ranger guide for game viewing safari in the wilderness. They are aware of recent locations of wildlife, have field experiences and a lot of exciting information to share. Take heed to their advice. However, on personal level the traveler needs to have some basic information to be safe and minimize risks in the wilderness. In the park the travelers are visitors, rangers are the hosts. Pay heed and follow the instructions of the ranger guides. Their work is to guide and make visitors very comfortable.

The animals in the national park are wild. Do not get close to them. An antelope may seem docile when it a distance away. It shows its true wild colors if approached in a tight corner and has no route of escape.

Keep in the car all time unless the ranger guides accent to it. Visit washroom before setting out for game viewing safari to avoid unnecessary visits behind bush.

Keep a distance away from animals when observing them. The sound of the engine and fumes of the oil irritate the animals. Getting too close may obstruct their path and may react in any way their wish.

Wildlife in the national park has right of way. Be patient when they are crossing the track. Hooting the car horn attracts a heavy fine. Driving in the middle of some wildlife species like elephants is suicide mission.

When observing an attraction keep the voices down so that wildlife is calm. Raising your voices disrupts wildlife and they seek shelter. Remember wildlife is always alert about the enemies, which you could be in that case.

When out on bush walk expedition, stay close to the guide, keep an even distance apart, do not bunch up and walk in single file behind the ranger.

Should wildlife charge at you, stand still. Never attempt to run, wail or show signs of fear. The wildlife will retreat peacefully. If it does not retreat, slowly walk backwards and never show your back to wildlife.

Extinguish fire at the campsite when retreating. Never leave food stuffs in the tent because food attracts wildlife. Light fire all through the night to scare away wildlife.