Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda in the Kaabong district. Found near the borders of Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo. Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted as a game reserve by the British colonial in the year 1958 and later in 1962 established as a national park. After its establishment, the local Karamojong people called Dorothy occupied it practicing pastoralism. Kidepo Valley National Park is recognized as a beautiful national park found in remote areas which makes it the number one isolated park and the least visited park in all the national parks in Uganda.
Activities done in Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is endowered with several activities where visitors have got big opportunities to get engaged in them thus having unforgettable memories of the park these activities include,
Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game driving is one of the top activities carried out in Kidepo Valley National Park where visitors are exposed to the open savannah plains. game drive is done in two sessions, here some tourists can either decide to go for an early morning game drive and others the evening game drive depending on their preferred time. This activity is done through the savannah plains where you will first get a briefing from a trained guide and later, he accompanies you to the juggle where you will sight lots of wildlife species such as buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, Oribis, leopards, hyenas among others. The morning game drive is considered the best because this is when animals are actively looking for what to eat unlike in the evening when they are resting under the trees.
Birdwatching
Bird watching is another interesting activity carried out in Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park is home to a variety of 480 recorded bird species including, flycatchers, weaver birds, blackhead gonolek, pied kingfishers, African bulbul, barbet birds, sunbirds, and woodpecker to mention but a few. Those who are bird lovers get a chance to view most of these species some making their nests, others in the air, and then others in the trees mostly during morning hours and late evening when they are looking for a cool breeze.
Nature walks
Nature walking is another adventurous activity carried out in Kidepo Valley National Park where visitors get out of the comfort of tourist vehicles and explore the park on their foot accompanied by a well-experienced tour guide with an armed ranger to protect you from any dangerous animal that may want to attack you. Nature walks are mainly done in Apoka camp and Lomej mountains among others. During this activity, you will have a chance to get close to different wildlife species such as buffaloes, elephants, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and bushbucks, among others. When you go to Apoka camp you will get an opportunity to hear the beautiful melodies of the different bird species as well as enjoying the beautiful scenery of Kidepo Valley National Park. park.
Cultural encounters
Kidepo Valley National Park also allows you to interact with the Karamojong people and IK people. Visiting Karamojong communities is done daily where you will get to learn about their culture, traditional dances, hand bangles made of beads, and the way they make their stools, and bows among other things. You will also get to meet their king who will take you through their lifestyle and their history ever since they existed.
The best time to do these activities is in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park can be visited at any preferred time of the year. The best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park is specifically during the dry season when savannah grassland is dry and becomes thin which makes the viewing of these wildlife very easy. bird lovers can also choose to visit Kidepo during the wet season in November, and October among others when some birds migrate from one country to another.
How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park which is located in north-western Uganda can be accessed by both road and air transport. When you decide to use road transport, you will drive from Kampala to Karuma Falls, Gulu, Kitgum, and then to the park headquarters which will take you 10 to 12 hours.
Kidepo Valley National Park can also be accessed by Air transport means which is always booked in time for easy preparations. You will book a scheduled or chartered flight with Aero Link Uganda from Entebbe Airport or Kajansi Airfield to Apoka Airstrip and then hire a private car that will take you to the park headquarters.