KIDEPO VALLEY N/P
Kidepo National Park is an isolated park covered by vast savanna grasslands created in 1962, located in the North Eastern region of Uganda in Kaabong District within the Karamoja sub-region. It is the most virgin park whose natural features and creatures have not been tampered with, therefore hosting a variety of extinct animals that can’t be found in any of the other national parks in Uganda. Perched within the Kidepo valley, its name means “to pick” in the local language. It experiences a semi-arid climate composed of less rainfall and very high temperatures of about 400c, this climate has greatly contributed to the savannah vegetation covering each corner of the park.
It is the most popular savanna safari destination in the country and ranks third among Uganda’s top National Parks. It is fortunate to be home to the Big Four animals, which include Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and buffaloes. Along with this, there are over 75 animal species, including about 1000 buffalo herds, the largest population in any Ugandan park. There are approximately 470 bird species for bird lovers to enjoy.
During the longer dry spells that the park experiences, Narus Valley comes to the rescue. Rain falls only in April and September, leaving the remaining months dry. When it rains, however, large floods form, forcing animals that can’t withstand the high water to migrate to safer locations. This time of the year turns the park green as plants bloom. The waters are then fed into the Kidepo River, a seasonal river that provides water to the animals for only a limited time.
Tourist attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Apoka Tourism Center
Apoka Tourism Center, located on a high hill, is the most developed region adjacent to the park; it is where most of the park’s administrative work is done, hence the park headquarters and most of the accommodation facilities, such as Apoka Safari Lodge, are located. Small planes can land on its airstrip. You can get an aerial perspective of the park from the top of this hill, which is a must-see while visiting Kidepo Valley National Park.
The Karamojong People
These were the park’s original residents before they were relocated in order to preserve it. They are naturally nomadic pastoralists who take pleasure in their vast cattle herds. They occasionally grazed their animals from the park and live in Manyattas, which are grass thatched huts belonging to members of the same family.
They are constantly attacked by cattle rustlers from neighboring communities, such as the Masai from Kenya, who recently left them with a large scar after stealing all their cattle because they couldn’t defend themselves or protect their cattle because they lacked guns, which were recently confiscated by the Ugandan government. They experienced famine, which killed many people due to hunger.
Narus Valley
This is a muddy section of the park that retains water even during the dry periods. Whenever it floods, it is a collection for water that in the long run acts as a water source to both the animals and the Karimojong people. It is a favorite spot for most animals like waterbucks, buffaloes and therefore a must visit during game drives. Narus in the local dialect means “muddy/soggy.”
The IK People
A small cultural group that lives in the Karamojong plains; they used to live in the Kidepo valley before being relocated in order to preserve the region for wildlife exclusively. The IK are polygamous and constantly have teenage marriages. They have a lot of children because they consider it a blessing from their ancestors. Their homes are built on Mount. Morungole’s slopes.
Mount. Morungole
This is a sacred spot to the IK people, who consider it to be their ancestral home. It is located to the south of Kidepo and is the source of the rivers Kidepo and Narus.
Activities carried out in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Game Drives
Game drives involve traveling through the valley floor to hot spots notable for attracting a variety of animals, such as the Narus valley. Game drives are conducted in the mornings and evenings since both times provide opportunities to see nocturnal species such as leopards, cheetahs and lions.
During day rides, you will encounter buffalo herds grazing in the savanna grasslands. The rides are conducted in four-wheel drive vehicles developed expressly for game drives, though any four-wheel drive vehicle can be utilized.
Bird Watching
A birdwatcher’s paradise with over 470 bird species, 50 of which are indigenous to the Karimojong region. The majority of the birds migrate to the area from North Africa. The various savanna vegetation is conducive to the stay of a range of birds. As a result, bird viewing can also be done while on a game drive.
Hiking mount Morungole
A trek up Mount Morungole is the activity you shouldn’t miss if you want to lose some weight while taking in the scenery. The main objective is to reach the top, where you can take in an aerial view of the park and take some great photos of the stunning surroundings. Hiking is done very early in the morning before the sweltering sun rises.
Cultural Visits
You can visit either the Karimojong or the IK people and get to observe how they live, the food they eat and how their social interactions and behaviors are.
Best time to visit Kidepo National Park and how to get there?
The best time to visit is when all the animals are within easy vicinity and this is during dry spells between the months of June and September and December to February, because when it rains heavily like during March – May season, most animals tend to hide deep inside the park.
Kidepo national park can be accessed by road, about 600 km from Kampala or by air through booking a scheduled flight which lands at Apoka airstrip from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield.
