What to Know Before Going to  Kidepo National Park 2025

What to Know Before Going to  Kidepo National Park 2025 : Kidepo Valley National Park, located in northeastern Uganda sharing borders Kenya and South Sudan.  The Park is surrounded by Karamojong people; a tribe that still holds a sound rich cultural values and paying a visit to this place will leave a memory that you will live to remember. This park was gazetted as a national park in 1962. Its was previously a game reserve that was established by the British colonial government in 1958. More so the park is one of the best national parks to go for wildlife viewing because of the great numbers of wildlife gathering at a single point.

This remote park is home to 76 species of mammals and over 474 of bird species, making it the only park in Uganda where tourists can go to see the African wilderness the way it used to be before modernity.  While in this stunning remote park, is ideal to explore some of its secret places while on your safari here such as Apoka tourism centre, the Narus valley, kidepo valley, kanangorok hot springs, Morungole mountains, Lonyili mountain, Lomej hills, Namamukweny valley and Lokulur community among others

Activities to Do While on a Uganda Safari in Kidepo Valley National Park

Game Drives

One of the best ways to explore Kidepo Valley is through game drives. This game drives are normally conducted in the two sections of the park that’s Narus Valley and Kidepo Valley. This activity is conducted on a sturdy four-wheel drive safari vehicle and visitors are always accompanied by an armed ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority. During your game drives tour, you’ll have the chance to see magnificent animals like large herds of buffalos, lions, elephants, Rothschild giraffe, warthogs, Burchell’s zebra, mountain reedbucks, bushbucks, leopard, spotted hyena and the black-backed and side-stripped jackal among others in their natural habitat.  You’ll also have the chance to spot a variety of bird species such as Ostriches.

Walking Safaris

Walking safari is one of the best safari activities to do while on a safari in kidepo, this offers you with a cognac to connect and explore the park on foot.  This safari normally starts from Apoka-tourism center and takes you through the open grasslands of East Kakine and a hike through Rioname Trail to the southern side of the Narus Valley. Accompanied by a skilled ranger, you’ll trek through the park’s scenic trails, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness.

Cultural Visits

Visiting local communities around Kidepo Valley National Park gives you a chance to learn about the rich culture of the Karamojong people. The Karamojong depend on their cows for almost everything. The Karamojong believe that all cattle on earth belong to them.  During your visit. You’ll have the chance to engage with locals through traditional dances, storytelling, and handicraft demonstrations offers a unique insight into their way of life. You can visit a traditional homestead “Manyatta” and participate in daily activities such as music, dance, traditional cooking, milking and purchasing their hand-made products like beads, stools, huts, bangles among others, which helps support community development. A cultural visit to the Karamojong is a very interesting experience because they are among the few tribes in Uganda that still live as they used to thousands of years ago. Visiting the Karamojong is a great opportunity to experience the kind of life most African tribes lived about a century ago.

Bird Watching

Kidepo Valley National Park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 465 species including over 100 bird species which are only residents of northern Uganda and Kenya, various endemic species to Kidepo region. During your exciting bird watching tour, you’ll see bird such as Karamoja apalis,  rose ringed parakeets, clapperton’s francolin,  ostrich, secretary bird, kori bustard, red throated bee-eaters, the Abyssinian roller,  Nubian woodpecker, Mosque swallow, Vinaceous Dove, Ruppell’s and superb sterling, Hoopoe, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-cheeked Cordon bleu, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Little Green Bee-eater, Long-tailed, Standard-winged Nightjars, White-bellied Tit , Pygmy Falcon, African Grey Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Eastern Yellow ,  Jackson’s Hornbills, Red-winged Lark, Little Weaver and  Red-cheeked weaver among others. Early mornings are the best time to spot various species as they are more active, feeding and singing. The diversity of ecosystems in the park, from grasslands to wetlands, makes Kidepo an exceptional place for birdwatching, providing ample opportunities to capture stunning photos of these beautiful creatures.

Best Time to Visit the Park

The ideal time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park is from December to February and June to September. During these months, the weather is generally dry, making wildlife easier to spot as they gather around water sources.  More so, the road accessing the park are dry and driving through is easy compared to wet season. The cooler temperatures also make for enjoyable exploration. However, the park can as well be visited throughout the year and you will be able to do the above activities in Kidepo National Park

Best Accommodation Facilities

While visiting Kidepo, you’ll find a variety of accommodation options ranging from luxurious lodges to budget-friendly campsites. You can choose to stay in Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Valley Lodge, Adere safari lodge, kidepo savannah lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, Katurum Lodge, Zebra Safari Lodge and UWA bandas among others. For budget travelers, there are basic camping options that allow you to connect with nature more directly. Regardless of your preference, the facilities are designed to provide a comfortable and memorable stay.

How to Get to the Park

Kidepo National Park is 521 kilometers away from Kampala city by road. From Moroto town, the distance to the park is 219 kilometers. To reach Kidepo Valley National Park, you’ll typically fly to Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip, then take a domestic flight to Kidepo Airstrip, which is the quickest option. Alternatively, you can opt for a road trip, which takes about 10 to 12 hours from Kampala. The quickest and most popular route runs from Kampala via Gulu and Kitgum then connect to Kidepo National Park which is 571km. You can as well visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for on foot Rhino tracking then proceed to the park; with this you need to have stop in Gulu for overnight to break the journey. The drive offers stunning scenery, giving you a glimpse of Uganda’s diverse landscapes. Whether you choose to fly or drive, the journey will lead you to one of Uganda’s most captivating national parks.