Kidepo Valley National Park: Uganda’s Hidden Gem.

Kidepo valley is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary located in the north eastern part of Uganda. It sits on an estimated 1442 square kilometers. It lies in the Karamoja region. What truly makes this place a beautiful gem is its strategic location close to Mt. Morungole, the Kidepo and Narus rivers that are a source of fresh water to the people around it and the animals within this beautiful gamepark. It was established in 1958 with the name, ‘’Kidepo’’ that means ‘’help us’’ as per the Ketebo verb ‘’Kidepo.’’ It is estimated to be 520 km away from kampala . the Ketebo people were the original inhabitants of this area.

Key Attractions in Kidepo Valley
Wildlife

Wildlife in this valley is one of the most beautiful gifts from Mother Nature. The game park is blessed with over eighty five mammals and over four hundred seventy five bird species. The park is blessed with some unique animals like the caracals, jackals, lions, mane less zebras and different species of antelopes. Among the unique bird types found in this park include the Kori bustard and the Karamoja appalis. These are indeed a must see as they are rare and unique bird types and thankfully, they are found in this animal sanctuary.

Kidepo and Narus rivers.

These are two beautiful rivers that flow beautifully through this beautiful park. These rivers act as a source of fresh water for the different animal species in a bid to survive. The Narus river is a permanent river which means that it is a source of fresh water all year round. This makes this river the heart of the game park more so during the dry spell. However, the Kidepo river happens to be a seasonal river which generally means that at some point during the year, it is a dry water bed. These rivers provide beautiful views more so of wild life and animal species when they come through in search for water.

Kanangorok Hot Spring

This is another beautiful feature situated within this gem. The water in this hot spring is hot enough to let one boil and egg and it can be consumed as fully cooked. It is sometimes common for tourists to find the local karamojong and Ki people bathing in this hot spring. This is because it carries a cultural significance to this group of people that believe that the water from this hot spring is used for cleansing from any bad energy or evil. It is another beautiful sport where one can do bird watching.

Mountain Morungole

This is a beautiful mountain situated within the park. It towers high enough giving tourists that take a keen interest in hiking to see the beautiful scenery and wildlife from an aerial view. It is also a beautiful home to the ‘’Ik’’ people who happen to be one of Uganda’s smallest ethic groups. The hike atop this mountain is not all about hiking but also appreciating cultural diversity as one gets to learn about the cultural beliefs and norms of the ‘’Ik’’ people. This learning and appreciation of culture indeed makes the hike valuable as it acts as the cherry on top of the cake.

Lonyili Mountain.

This is another beautiful landmark from which one can sight see the park from an aerial view and also come closer to primates. It is made of montane forest vegetation which makes it the best habitat for monkey species like the Colobus monkeys and the Red tailed monkey among others. One is also able to catch a glance of South Sudan, which is Uganda’s immediate neighbor in the North.
Apoka Tourism Center
This is a beautiful place within the park where one can get refreshments and also tourist guides. However, this place is endowed with a lot of beautiful African art pieces that can be bought at a friendly price. This place also helps one to get to enjoy the local dishes of the people in case they wish to do so.

Activities To Enjoy While At the Park

Guided Nature Walks.
These are done with the help of a well trained and experienced guide as they are aware of the best times and areas where nature can be viewed. The nature walks can be timetabled according to one’s preference and according to the state of the weather.
Game drives
These are done using 4WD vehicles in order to ease movement around muddy areas or areas with rough terrain. At this park, game drives start as early as 6:00 am as the morning shift or 2:00 pm for the afternoon shift. It is therefore important to inquire with your service providers on the best and most convenient time to take on the game drives.
Bird watching
This activity is another beautiful way in which you can spend your time during your visit. The birds can be seen during the game drives or at the banks of the Kidepo and Narus rivers. Bird watching can be made an even better experience through the use of binoculars that help us to see objects that are far at a closer distance.

Community tour in Kidepo

The community tour is also conducted with the help of a guide. As a tourist, one is able to interact with the ‘’Ik’’ people and get to learn about their culture and traditional religious beliefs. Also, the Karamojong are other people that live in the vicinity of the park. With these people, one is able to learn about how they make their traditional shelters called the ‘’Manyata.’’ Also, the Karamojong teach wooden carving from which they make their traditional stool called the, ‘’Ekicolong.’’ In case one is interested in trying their local dishes like ‘’Akuring,’’ which is dried meat, Angodic;which is sour milk mixed with sorghum, bread and ghee and Ekwete which is a local brew made of maize or sorghum and milk and honey. Traditional dances are also performed enabling one to learn and also participate freely.

Favorable Time to Visit the Park

The best time to visit this park is in between July and September. This is because there is less rainfall which therefore enables one to have clear views of the different species of both birds and animals.
Duration of the Journey and How To Connect From Kampala To The Park
The journey lasts an estimated ten hours and forty one minutes by road. However, the place can also be accessed using air transport. Air transport can be accessed by air by booking with Aero link or Kajjansi Airfield.

Cultural Significance of the Park to the Locals.

the park plays an important role in the cultural preservation of its neighbors by preserving certain plant species that are held in high regard by the locals for medicinal purposes. It’s also a home to the Kanangorok hot springs that people bathe in order to self-cleansing which therefore makes this park very important to the locals.
Indeed, Kidepo valley is that place that is the best for your nature get away. It is affordable and is important in the creation of everlasting memories!  Book that trip today and you will surely not regret it.