Night game drive safaris in Kidepo Valley National Park: Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the magnificent national parks in Uganda located in the remote Karamoja region in Kaabong district between the Uganda and South Sudan border. Kidepo Valley National Park is the country’s third largest national park and was gazetted in 1958 due to its beautiful and breathtaking landscape and abundant wildlife species. The park covers a total area of 1442 square kilometers and is comprised of savannah vegetation, hills, and valleys like Kidepo and Narus Valley, and Mount Morungole among others. The park houses about 77 mammal species, 500 bird species several reptiles, and flora such as the smallest antelope, cheetahs, ostriches, and Karamoja Apalis are endemic to Kidepo Valley National Park. One of the most thrilling activities offered in this park is the guided night game drives, where tourist have the opportunity to see the nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.
A night game drive safari in Kidepo Valley National Park is a guided tour that takes place after sunset, typically between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. During this time, specialized vehicles equipped with spotlights and expert guidance take you on a journey through the park’s remote open savannah, forests and valleys to spot nocturnal animals that are active at night. The drive is designed to be quiet and slow-paced, allowing you to get up close and personal with the wildlife without disturbing them.
As the sun sets over Kidepo Valley National, the sky transforms into a canvas of twinkling stars, casting a magical over the landscape. Your guide will expertly navigate the vehicle through the darkness, using spotlights to illuminate the path ahead. During your night game drive safari in the park, you’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of fascinating nocturnal animals such as; Cheetah, leopards, lions, hyenas and antelopes among others
Travelers on a night game drive safari In Kidepo Valley National Park will also have the opportunity to spot some of the colorful bird species which are hardly hard to spot during the day game but can be easily spotted during the night time such as white-faced scops owl, black-headed plover, yellow-necked spurfowl, superb starling, African swallow-tailed kite, eastern pale chanting goshawk, Nubian woodpecker and nightjars and other nocturnal birds as they take flight.
Night game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park also play a crucial role in conservation efforts. By supporting responsible tourism practices, visitors contribute directly to the preservation of this unique ecosystem. more so, the educational aspects of these safaris foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation among nature lovers, encouraging a sustainable approach to tourism in the national as well as Karamoja region at large.
Essential items to consider before embarking on your night game drive safari in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Dress warmly, a night can be chilly in Kidepo Valley National Park, so bring warm clothing and layers to stay comfortable.
Bring binoculars, while spotlights will help illuminate your surroundings, binoculars can enhance your viewing experience by allowing you to observe animals up close.
Stay quiet, and remember to keep noise levels down to avoid disturbing the animals you’re trying to spot.
Follow your guide’s instructions, your guide has extensive knowledge of the park’s wildlife and terrain, so listen carefully to their guidance and advice.
Cost of a night game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
A night game drive safari in Kidepo Valley National Park costs US$ 30 per person for foreign non-residents, US$ 20 per person for foreign residents, and UGX 50, 000 per person for East African citizens including Ugandans. Night game drive safari is only restricted to tourists staying within the park and the use of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides is mandatory for a night drive.
A night game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park when using UWA is a game drive vehicle that costs US$ 40 per person for foreign non-residents, US$ 35 per person for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 per person for East African community citizens. UWA vehicles are only allowed the equivalent of 3 persons for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and 5 persons for East African community members.
The best time to do a night game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
Night game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park can be done anytime throughout the year but the best is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the parks therefore vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to view the nocturnal animals clearly.
Other activities in Kidepo Valley National Park
Besides a night game drive safari in Kidepo Valley National Park, the national park also offers other thrilling activities that tourists can engage in during the Uganda safari including day game drives, birding, hiking and nature walks and cultural encounters among others. A night game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park is an adventurous activity that can also be combined with other exciting activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park among others.
Where to stay in Kidepo Valley National Park
There are a number of accommodation safaris ranging from luxury, midrange and budget where you can stay while on an Uganda night game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park such as Apoka Safari Lodge, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, Mara Safari Lodge, Kidepo, Karatunga Safari Camp, Katurum Lodge, Apoka Rest Camps, Kidepo Savannah Lodge and Zebra’s Safari Lodge, Kidepo, among others.
