Uganda is generally known as an outstanding birding destination with over 1000 bird species recorded. Kidepo national park is one of the leading hot spots for amazing birding expeditions in Uganda with more than 475 species recorded making it second, only to Queen Elizabeth national park in western Uganda. Kidepo is hidden in the northeastern corner of Uganda far from human disturbances making it one of the truest exciting wilderness parks to explore in the region.
Even though commonly visited for its stunning game drives, Kidepo has also earned a name from its magical birding experiences. The rolling savannah plains give visitors an easy way to view the countless bird species that call Kidepo home.
The top sites to carry out your birding expedition include Namumukweny Valley, Apoka rest camp, and borders of the Narus Valley. Notable birds to look out for include the ostrich (the largest bird on earth and in Uganda only found in Kidepo), Karamoja Apalis endemic to the park, Egyptian vultures, Hoopoes, Steel blue whydahs to only mention a few.
Best time to do birding in Kidepo.
Birding, like most tourism activities can be carried out all year round thanks to the awesome climate Uganda boasts of. Birding expeditions can be arranged in the morning or evening hours when the birds are extremely active. Even though it’s an all-year-round activity, a few months stand out and these are March and April when food is abundant and the area has the best views. Also, this period has more migratory species recorded.
The area receives some rain between June and August but it’s not a reason to discourage birders as the region is semi-arid and its rain isn’t a big threat to tourism activities.
What to carry along for birding safaris in Kidepo national park?
What to carry most times is an issue when planning a safari but a birding trip should not worry you a lot as it requires almost the same apparel as other activities. On top of the lightweight clothing in terms of shirts and trousers or shorts to make your birding comfortable, you are reminded to include sturdy hiking boots as this activity may involve harsh terrain, thickets or slippery grounds depending on the location of birds.
Remember to carry a hat to protect you from direct sunlight and most importantly your favorite binoculars to spot the birds and a camera to capture some of the stunning bird actions in the wild. As a precautionary measure, include a waterproof field bag to shield your apparel like cameras, field books, and binoculars in case it rains. A little sunscreen and insect repellent come in handy to safeguard you against the hot sun and pesky insects in Kidepo.
Other activities you can do while in Kidepo. Other than birding, Kidepo is famous for its memorable game drives in the Narus valley. With the largest herds of Buffalo recorded on the African continent, enchanting lion prides, and numerous game like zebra, giraffes, and cheetah this is a must-visit site.
You can also have a community experience to interact with the Karamajongs the original inhabitants of the park and have an understanding of how they lived and still preserve their tact culture even with the coming of modernization.
How to get to Kidepo National Park for birding.
Kidepo is located in the far northeastern corner of Uganda and accessing it might be difficult but it’s the most rewarding park you will come across in the region. It can be accessed by either road or air transport. Road transport has two routes of Eastern route and western route. The Western route is the most used one and it goes through Kampala to Gulu via Karuma falls then Kitgum and then connects to the park.
The eastern route goes through Kampala, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and join the park which is approximately 12 hours’ drive.
You can also book a flight from Entebbe to the park which is usually 1 and half-hour’ flight. These flights operate from Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
When thinking of a birding expedition in Uganda or East Africa don’t leave out Kidepo national park as it’s your only chance to have the best birding experience in Africa’s wilderness.
