SIZE:
1,442 sq km
LOCATION:
On the Sudanese border in the northeast
The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of
Uganda's most spectacular parks. It is 1,442
square kilometres and harbours scenery
unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa.
'It could not be any better' is a common comment
on the scenery by visitors who often promise and
do come back to Kidepo. Tucked into the corner
of Uganda's border with Sudan and Kenya, the
park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes,
which end in rugged horizon. A huge latitudinal
range and correspondingly wide climatic
conditions have evolved an extremely diverse
flora. As a result the variety of animal species
in the park is equally abundant including many
which are found no where else in Uganda.
The vegetation can best be described as open
tree Savannah which varies much in structure and
composition. Mountain forest dominates some of
the high places, while areas along the Lorupei
River support dense Acacia geradi forest. The
flora and fauna of the park are more typical of
Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape
throughout the park is studded with small hills,
rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can
obtain stunning views in all directions.
Meals:
Neither the Rest Camp nor hostel stock food,
visitors are therefore advised to carry
sufficient food and drinks for the duration of
their stay in the park. The Rest Camp staff can
arrange for the cooking. However other
supplementary diet such as chicken and goat meat
can be arranged from the nearby community for
visitors who intend to stay longer.
Getting there:
Road Transport:
Kampala-Lira-Kotido-Kidepo-705 km
Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kidepo-792 km
Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Kotido-Kideop-740 km
Kampala-Soroti -Kotido via Amuria 656 km
Driving is more rewarding as vast parts of
Karamoja are scenic and total wilderness.
However road conditions are some times difficult
and 4-wheel drive vehicles (4WD) are
recommended. Visitors should note that the road
mainly in use from Kotido to Kaabong passes via
Kanawauat.
Visitors intending to travel by road are advised
to contact UWA headquarters to seek advice about
conditions and safety on the roads.
Air Transport:
Chartered aircraft are available from Entebbe
International Airport to the Park Headquarters.
The Civil Aviation Authority manages an airstrip
at Lomej about 3 km south of the Park
Headquarters.
WHAT TO DO:
Game Viewing
The park harbours a great diversity of animal
species than other parks. Of the 80 species of
mammals listed in 1971, 28 were not known to
occur in any other Ugandan park. Carnivore
species unique to Kidepo and Karamoja region
include the bat-eared fox, striped hyena,
aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog. Less
common ungulates include the greater and lesser
kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer,
dikdik and bright gazelle; beisa oryx and roan
antelope have been severely depleted by poachers
in the recent years. Among other large ungulates
are elephant, burchell's zebra, bush pig,
warthog, rothschild giraffe, cape buffalo,
eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water
buck, bohor reed buck, jackson's hartbeest and
oribi. Five species of primate are found in the
park of which the Kavirondo bush baby is
endemic. Carnivores present include lion,
leopard, several small cats, spotted hyena,
black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal. The
easiest to see being the jackals.
There are high chances of viewing tree climbing
lions that always sits on sauces trees along
Narus valley or on rock just as you enter the
Apoka Park Headquarter. Other wildlife include
elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bush
buck, bush pig, kavirondo bush baby, buffalo and
much more that are some times seen right from
the veranda of Apoka Rest Camp.
The park boasts an extensive avifauna. 465
species have been recorded (three new species
were added to the list in 1995). Of particular
interest, the ostrich and the Kori bustard are
principally associated with arid regions.
The park is outstanding for its birds of prey.
Of 58 species recorded 14 are believed to be
endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region. These
include Verreaux's eagle, Egyptian vulture and
pygmy falcon. Also of note are four species of
hornbills. The redbilled, the yellow-billed and
Jackson's hornbill are peculiar to Kidepo, while
the giant Abyssinaia ground hornbill is quite
common. There is however no comprehensive survey
in Kidepo and keen visitors stand a good chance
of adding to the current list.
Hiking and Scenery viewing
Hiking can be carried out on Lamoj Mountains
just a few kilometers from the Park
Headquarters. Visitors can also go to view the
splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated by
Borassus palm forest; its wide flat bed is dry
for most of the year. From Kidepo Valley, you
may also visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, which
are located only 11 km from Kidepo river valley.
The mountain and Savannah landscape of the park
is spectacular. The Narus valley is situated in
the South West of the park; the rugged
Napore-Nyagia mountain range forms its western
boundary. Separating it from the Kidepo Valley
in the northeast, are the Natira and Lokayot
Hills. To the north in the Sudan are the Lotukei
mountains and the Morungole range marks the
southern boundary of the park.
Picnic
To add flavor to your visit to Kidepo River,
take time and visit the picnic site located on
the sand and you won't also miss the sound of
palm leaves in constant motion in the wind.
Cultural Performance
The local community has a group of cultural
entertainers who on request are always available
to perform. The performers have a large menu for
you, traditional dances such as the Emuya of the
Naporre and Nyangia, ethnic groups and
Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi are
waiting for you. The money that this group earns
is used for uplifting their welfare.
Nature Walk
If you are interested in increasing your
knowledge on African culture, visits to the
Karimajong manyattas (homesteads) and probably
kraals to see traditional costume, stools,
spears headdress, knives, bows and arrows and
jewelry can be arranged. Some of the above
mentioned items can be purchased from the park
tourist office. It's advisable that you make
arrangements for the nature walk two days in
advance. This booking can be done from the park
headquarters in Apoka or from Uganda Wildlife
Authority Headquarters in Kampala.
Visitors who choose to follow the Soroti-Moroto
road will be enthralled by the view of the steep
volcano of Alekilek about midway Moroti and
Soroti. And for those who take the Lira-Kotido
road will enjoy the scenery of the Labwor hills
and in particular the massive and bare Alerek
(Kidi Rwot) rock about 55 km to Kotido.
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