Things to do in kidepo national park
Things to do in kidepo national park : Kidepo National Park is Uganda’s most beautiful, remote and least explored park. However, those that take trouble to visit the park are rewarded with phenomenal wildlife sightings and a level of exclusivity that can rarely be had at any cost in neighboring countries.
For Kidepo National Park is ranked among Africa’s top finest wildernesses. Kidepo nestled in the wild frontier region of Uganda, is a true gem with an abundance of wildlife. Despite its relative obscurity, it stands out as one of the best virgin places for wildlife enthusiasts.
Kidepo National Park is located in the North Eastern Park of Uganda borders of South Sudan and Kenya. It is located 600 kilometers from Kampala. To reach kidepo valley National Park by road takes no less than 12 hours of drive which is why it is one of the least visited parks in the country leaving it isolated from the popular Uganda Safari and tours circuit. Kidepo National Park has two main biomes; Savannah / Acacia grassland in the Narus Valley which lies in the southern area of the park and semi-arid short grass area in the northern kidepo valley. However, its best advised to visit the park during the dry months of January, February, March and December. During the night the park tends to be very cold so tourists are advised to include both warm and light clothes when visiting the park. Therefore, the best time to visit kidepo valley national park is during the dry seasons when the animal can much easier be seen around the various water places.
Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1442 square kilometers in the Karamoja region of northeast Uganda. It is rugged savannah terrain, dominated by the 2750-meter-high Mount Morungole and crisscrossed by the kidepo and Narus rivers. Kidepo hosts over 75 species of mammals and an impressive 470 species of birds. Some of the wildlife species found here are unique and cannot be seen in other Ugandan national parks. The common animals include Elephants, Zebra, Bush Pigs, Rothschild Giraffes, Eland, Jacksons Hartebeest, Buffalo, Oribi, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Black backed Jackal. Kidepo is the best park in Africa for great buffalo herds.
THE ACTIVITIES DONE AT KIDEO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK.
GAME VIEWING
The park has the highest concentration of game variety of animal species than any other park in Uganda. It’s the only park in Uganda where you can see the Ostriches and Cheetahs. Kidepo national park is fully supported by game drive through the park and the major areas for the game drive is Narus Valley best known to possess the largest buffalo herds than anywhere else in the entire world. There are also high chances of spotting big cats on a hunt and on a lucky day; the rare cheetahs too which are endemic to Kidepo in the whole of Uganda. The other is Kidepo valley close to South Sudan border, whilst here you can see most of the birds like the ostriches. On your game drive, adding a stop at the hot springs kano ngorok the place of black stones will increase on your adventure.
NATURE WALKS
Kidepo national park is one of those parks in Uganda where you can get off your vehicle and explore on foot, Nature guide activity, you are provided with a ranger guide who will guide you through the walking trails along the dry banks and bushes. This will give you a breath of nature beneath the Savannah landscape.
NIGHT GAME VIEWING
Kidepo national Park is a great destination for night game drives, unlike the other national parks, Kidepo is very rewarding during the night game activity. it’s a good opportunity to find the wild casts hunting and feeding on their prey.
CULTURAL TOURS
Kipedo national park is one of the rich parks in cultural tourism. The history of the Karamojong people in relation to their way of life, cultural affiliations of different ethnic groups is an interesting experience. The main livelihood of the Karamojong people is cattle herding and they also do some farming on their land. The most interesting ethic group is the IK, also known as the mountain people of Uganda. They are the smallest number of Karamojong ethnicity with about 10000 people living on Mount Morongole serving on only pastoral activities. Visiting the IK village is a full hiking up the mountain however meeting them is excitingly rewarding as they are very humble, loving and welcoming people. Kidepo national park also has other small communities that stay close the park for example Lorukul village where you will be taken through their food process, the cultural matters in the village and finally you will be entertained in the local dance and songs of the village and have time to also interact with the villagers.
THE SAND BED ALONG RIVER KIDEPO
River Kidepo is an intermittent sand river found in the northern part. Lt stands out because it is lined by Borasus palms that makes it appear like an oasis in the Sahara. Many bird species can be found around this area
The sand bed experience during the dry season on river kidepo can be fascinating. One can enjoy the wilderness experience while listening to different bird calls.
BIRDWATCHING IN KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK
The park is only discovered by birdwatchers since it has been off the main tourists’ circuits and more bird species are being added to the check list of over 475 recorded species. Kidepo valley nationally park is one of Uganda important bird areas and incredible Uganda birding destination. Black breasted barbet and the Karamoja Apalis are some of the Africa’s rarest bird found at the park. The park is good for semi-arid species which cannot be found in other parts of Uganda such as the Ostrich and also its outstanding for its birds prey with 58 species recorded in the area.
