Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northeastern Uganda, covering an area of 1,442 square kilometers encompassing a rugged Savannah on the foothills of Mount Morungole and is transected by the Narus and Kidepo rivers. The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game drives
During these game drives, tourists are rewarded with opportunities to see a lot of wildlife, like elephants, leopards, buffalos, lions, bat-eared foxes, hyenas, jackals, waterbuck, eland, ostrich, zebra, and giraffes, among others. This also gives the tourists the opportunity to take good photos because of the nature of the landscape and beautiful scenery.
Bird Watching
Kidepo Valley is famously known as home to over 480 bird species, the most notable being the red and yellow barbet, Karamoja apalis, little bee-eater, black-breasted barbet, and black coucal, among others. This makes it a famous spot for bird lovers to see as many birds as they can. Bird lovers are advised to carry with them binoculars and good cameras for photographs.
Cultural encounter
A visit to the Karamojong local community is one of the most thrilling, adventurous, and unforgettable experiences tourists should not miss while on their visit to the Pearl of Africa and most probably the Kidepo region. A visit to the manyatta community takes you back to the early days of the Karamojong, with kraals around their community as a sign of protection from invasions from enemies and stories from the elders as they take you back to the early days. Learn about their ways of dressing, survival skills, and how they communally do work. The Karamojong culture is known as one of the remaining cultures in Uganda that is not tampered with.
Hiking
This is done at Lonyili summit and Mount Morongule, giving the tourist the best views of the Karamoja region.
When to visit Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the most recommendable time is during the dry season, which is from December to February or June to August.
Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park
There are so many accommodation options in and out of the park, ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury, depending on what the tourist wants.