Kidepo Valley Top Tourist Attractions : Kidepo Valley National Park famously known as unmatched safari wilderness and one of the most ranking Uganda safari destination with unique species that are inhabitant on the area covering about 1,442 square kilometers national parks in the Karamoja region of northeast Uganda. The park is rugged with open savannah, dominated by the 2,750 meters Mount Morungole and divided by the Narus river and Kidepo.
The main tourist’s attraction at Kidepo Valley National Park
Mount Morungole
This is one of the major top attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park that gives an impressive spectacular view across Kidepo and Narus Rivers that nourish the park’s species of wildlife and natural habitat as entirely which stands at an average of about 2,750 meter.
Wildlife Species
Kidepo Valley National Park a home to over 86 mammal species offering excellent explore of lion and elephant views, often about 1,000 herds pf buffalos are adventured, Cheetah and so many dry species like Caracal, Aardwolf, Greater and lesser kudu, Mountain reedbuck and Guenther’s dik-dik among others.
Apoka Tourism Centre
This is tourism hub, a home to an upmarket lodge and simple ‘UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority cottages that gives gainful view of game rich Narus Valley. More so, Apoka Tourism Centre works as a meeting point where Ranger guides can be stationed at Apoka to accompany travelers on game drives and walks. Those on private transport can hire them.
These center was designed with craft shop with books and souvenirs; bottled water, soda and other soft drinks can be bought here. Here food is cooked on request and cooking gas and utensils can be hired by individuals who wish to cook for themselves.
Narus Valley
The Narus Valley is the major attraction of which the high concentration of mammals can be seen here. The area comprises of beautiful rolling grassland plains enclosed by distant mountains. This valley also acts has permanent water and all year round the park’s wildlife congregates here. Despite the area which offers game tracks with four loop circuits exploring the valley around Apoka. Some of the creatures to see includes; Lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, reedbucks, oribis among others. Cheetahs and leopards are less commonly seen. In Kidepo Valley National Park, Narus Valleys act as a water hole that quench animal thirsty located near the Tourism Centre, offering perfect observation point for game viewing, mostly during the dry season.
To the southern end of the Katurum loop views north across valley towards the Morungole mountain range.
Visit Kidepo Valley and Kanangorok Hot Springs
Kidepo valley is also part of the park known to be a dry kidepo River that raise along its 50meter wide bed of white sand between banks covered with borassus palms. The word Kidepo which is in local means to pick from below and the valley was visited by people who used to come gather fallen borassus fruit for fermenting to make palm beer. More so, Kanangorok Hot Springs is located 11 kilometers beyond the Kidepo River on the Sudan border. Absolutely, an impressive place to visit and view the mountains summits and the view is rewarding.
Namamukweny Valley
Namamukweny is in local word which means a place with no birds or a lonely place with few people ,though good area for birding .The valley is inhabited by a various notable bird species like Common Bulbul , White-crested Turaco ,Eastern Paradise Whydah , Green Wood Hoopoe many more. This valley is located in the north-west side of the park and can be accessed by both car and on foot.
Lomej Hills
It is just short drive from the headquarters one to access the Lomej Hills . This hills provides great view point for birding and animal viewing including the mountain reedbuck.
Visit Lonyil Mountain
This mountain locates between Kitgum and the Sudan border and its largely covered by montane forest a home to primates like colobus monkeys. Due to poor condition in the area the road is currently out of use, Kidepo Valley Top Tourist Attractions
Birdlife in Kidepo
Kidepo Valley is also a remarkable birding site with more than 470 species, the second highest birding site after Queen Elizabeth National park. Best captured from April to June and November. November to April good to sight see migratory bird species.
Bird list to see includes; Greater Kestrel, Abyssinian roller, Black-breasted barbet, Chestnut weaver, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Fox Kestrel, Golden pipit ,White-bellied go away bird , Rufous chatterer , Rose-ringed parakeet ,Jackson’s hornbill , Karamoja apalis ,Northern carmine bee-eater ,Pygmy falcon among others.
Game viewing experience; This is the most done a
ctivity that rewards with great view of different game while driving the vehicle on dirt roads to its southern and western parts of the park.
Note that, you can book your activities from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices in Kampala or at any entry point of the park or by help of reputable tour operator on local ground, Kidepo Valley Top Tourist Attractions
Best time to visit the park;
Kidepo Valley National park can be visited throughout the year, although conditions in the park sometime looks to be difficult during the rainy season of April to Mid-June and November .It can be quite hot and dry while June to September is more prevalent .
Temperatures can be warm and storms which is rarely last more than an hour. But visitors are advised to use 4x 4vehicles while in the park.
Accommodations in Kidepo
The park has few accommodation facilities very scarce and options such as Nga Moru Wilderness Camp, Zebra Safari Lodge and Apoka Safari Camp.
There is only one budget accommodation available; Apoka Rest Camp managed by ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Accessibility;
Travel by road; From Kampala or Entebbe to Kidepo Valley National Park estimates about 12 hours’ drive, recommended 4×4 wheel drive vehicle. Alternative, you can use regular scheduled flights by Aero Link that can take about 2 hours and fly into Kidepo from Entebbe Airport. You can use charter flights to fly you to Kidepo through help of tour operators.
