Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo National Park, Uganda Wildlife safari tour in Kidepo Valley National Park
“The pristine magical true African Wilderness” – Kidepo Valley National Park
Background of Kidepo valley national park Uganda – The 3rd Best Africa Safari Destination!!
Africa just like you imagine though not common in the 21st century only remained existent in this one Uganda safari tour destination. The word Kidepo comes from a Dodoth verb “akidep” meaning “to pick up” which can literally be described as telling you to come and pick up the true African savanna wilderness during your safari in Uganda. The park was formerly occupied by the Dodoth pastoralist and IK farmers, gazetted as a game reserve in 1958 during the British colonial government which decided to leave this place alone purposely to protect the animals from hunting and prevent further clearing of the bush for tsetse fly control. The game reserve was later converted into a national park in 1962, the year Uganda gained her sovereignty, the first chief warden was Ian Ross a Briton later replaced by a Ugandan named Paul Ssali in 1972.
Brief Facts about Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda
Location: Uganda
Region: Northern Region, Uganda
Sub Region: Karamoja
District: Kaabong
Sub County: Karenga, Uganda
Coordinates: 03°54′N 33°51′E
Area: 776 km2 (300 sq mi)
Established: 1962
Governing body: Ugandan Wildlife Authority
What to see at Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda | Attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda
This park has a variety of attractions that provoke tourists to endure the long distance to on this Uganda safari tour that has always left tourists wishing to come back to this park and these include;
Wildlife; A profusion of wildlife with over 77 mammal species with about 28 endemics to this park including the fastest land animal-the cheetah, Bat-eared fox, carcal and klipspringer. The other big game of the park includes the lions, Elephants, maneless Zebras ranging from North west Kenya and South Sudan, giraffe, Hyenas, Eland, Hartebeest and probably Africa’s largest single herd of Buffalo, a wildlife Uganda safari which gives an extension to Kenya wildlife safari tours as well Tanzania wildlife safari tours
Birding Safari; Uganda Birding Safari lovers are blessed with a tune of birds that add up to more than 475 species ranks the park as the second national park with diverse bird species including the Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apallis that are endemic to this park. The silver bird and small bands of yellow-billed birds are frequent on the thorn trees of the open wilderness, the Vinaceous Dove, Hoopoe, Nubian wood pecker, Ruppels and superb starling are some of the sky beauties of this vast open wilderness.
Kanangorok hot springs; Kanangorok hot springs in the northern part of the park beyond Kidepo river is one of the magical spots to sit nearby and relax on your adventure Uganda safari tour. The hot spring is in the middle of the park, about 500 C hot which can boil an egg and believed by the locals to have healing powers.
What to do at Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda | Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park
Uganda tour Wildlife Game Drives; are a perfect Uganda safari activity in this wild game packed but little accessed. The park with its rugged savanna allows the drive through the open park easy with sighting of the lions that maybe on the valley’s various rocks. Other game that can be sighted at the park are the elephants, leopards, bush duiker, jackal, ostrich, bush buck, buffalo all together with the uniqueness of this land giving the best wildlife safaris in Uganda through the park
Uganda Birding Tours; are thrilling for passionate birders at this park especially on the fringes of the Narus and Namamukweny valleys with 475 beautiful bird species like the silver bird, small bands of yellow -billed birds, Vinaceous Dove, Hoopoe, Nubian wood pecker, Ruppels and superb starling. The must tick bird species on your bird list are the endemics of Kibale valley national park which include the Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apallis.
Mountain Hiking Safaris in Uganda; on the high striking Morungole mountain 2,749m (9,019ft) high above the open sky within Kidepo Valley national park Uganda near the border with Sudan covered by rugged terrain for the daring climbers of the excruciating but rewarding mountain. The mountain hike is more rewarding accompanied with nature walks on the splendid Kidepo river valley between banks of borassus palm forest and an amazing visit to the mountain people.
Uganda Cultural Safari Tour Encounters; with the friendly natives of the region is a true reward of an African experience as you visit a “manyatta”-the home setting of the Karamojong where the home is surrounded with sticks attached with mud.
How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda – Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda Map
How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park
How to get to Kidepo Valley National park Uganda by road;
The commonly used road is Kampala-Karuma-Lira-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo about 705km 12-hour drive. During this safari one should organize to sleep in one of these towns most probably at Chobe near Karuma in Murchison falls national park. After the tour the Kidepo-Kaabong-Kotido-Moroto-Sironko- Mbale-Kampala route is better such that you get a glimpse of the other part of the country through the marvelous Sipi falls and Mountain Elgon. The roads in Kidepo are sub standard and therefore 4WD cars are essential.
How to get to Kidepo Valley National park Uganda by air;
the flight can be organized from Kajjansi near Kampala or Entebbe international airport about 2 – 3 hours to Apoka airstrip near Apoka safari lodge about 10minutes drive on a marram road.
Accommodations, Safari Lodges & Safari Hotels in Kidepo Valley National Park
Whether you need a luxury, mid-range or budget safari accommodation. For Uganda safari tour we’ve got you covered;
Luxury Safari Accommodations in Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda; Can be accessed in Apoka safari lodge in Kidepo valley national park. The lodge gives the best spot to watch stars like never before in the night and listen to the roaring lions in the wild which is gives a priceless wildlife Uganda safari tours. Read More
Mid-Range Safari Accommodation Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda;can be accessed at Kidepo savannah lodge in Kaabong Uganda amidst the sights and sounds of wildlife with rooms crafted to reflect somewhat the African culture and traditional style with a modern mix, Buffalo Base in Karenga. Read More
Budget Safaris Accommodation Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda; for ultimate wildlife safaris and tours in Uganda can be accessed at Apoka rest camp in Kidepo Valley, Nga’Moru Wilderness camp, UWA Bandas, Lorukul community Bandas (self-catering accommodation). Read More
Short Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour Packages
The short gorilla safaris in Uganda are designed to enable mini break holiday makers to enjoy the taste of nature and encounter the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. These short Uganda Gorilla Safaris range from 3 Days Uganda gorilla safari to 4 Days Uganda gorilla safari, 5 Days Uganda gorilla safari and 6 Days Uganda gorilla safari. The short gorilla safaris are less costly and enable the limited time clients to have an encounter with attractions that they never thought of. The short gorilla safaris to Uganda are well detailed and designed to maximize your Uganda safari experience thus worth undertaking. View More Short Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Long Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour Packages
The long gorilla safaris in Uganda are designed to last a couple of days and are designed to enable Uganda gorilla safari undertakers have an extended encounter with gorillas along with other Uganda safari attractions like other primates, wildlife, scenery and culture. The Long safaris in Uganda extend up to 24 days and are comprehensively designed to enable Uganda safari undertakers to explore Uganda in detail. The destination Uganda is very diverse and every corner has got rich attractions and activities can keep you mesmerized throughout your long gorilla safari in Uganda. Taking you to the virgin wilderness of Kidepo up to the Impenetrable forests of Bwindi in the south west for gorilla trekking while traversing the Chimpanzee trekking destinations of Kibale, wildlife havens of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park along with scenic wonders of the snowcapped mountains of the moon among other attractions like the worldly hospitable people. View More Long Uganda Gorilla Safaris
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