Kidepo National Park in Uganda
Kidepo National Park is located in the remote North Western Part of Uganda spanning the Karamoja Region in Kaabong District covering an area of 1,442 square kilometres (557 sq mi). It comprises of Mount Morungole with 2,750 metres (9,020 ft) and transacted by the Narus and kidepo Rivers at 3,000 feet (910 m) and 4,000 feet (1,200 m) with the North western Border casting along the border of South Sudan.
Within the Park is the Kanangarok a luke warm permanent hot spring situated in the distant Northern region of the park near the border of South Sudan and here wildlife animals come to drink to break their thirst.
Vegetation
Kidepo National Park comprises of Open Tree Savannah vegetation due to the variations in rainfall of 89 centimetres (35 in) in Narus and 64 centimetres (25 in) in the Kidepo basin.
The Park includes River Kidepo which is a relevant source of water during the semi desert climate and the wildlife animals you watch include; the spotted hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, Cape buffaloes, bat-eared foxes, Rothschild’s giraffes and about 500 bird species.
Safari Activities to do in the park
Game Drives
Game Drives are the most prominent safari activity in the park as you transfer in a 4×4 vehicle with a skilled park ranger watching wildlife animals like elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, ostrich, buffalo, Kavirondo bush baby. Ostriches are prominently spotted around the beautiful Kanangorok Hot Springs.
Bird watcching
Bird watching in Kidepo National Park is very exceptional due to the various species of birds you watch here and these are watched around Apoka Rest Camp, Narus Valley and Namamukweny Valley. The Birds you watch include; Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apalis, Verreaux’s Eagle, Egyptian Vulture and Pygmy Falcon, Silverbird and small bands of Yellow-billed Shrike, Vinaceous Dove, Hoopoe, Nubian Woodpecker, Mosque Swallow, the Ruppell’s and Superb Starlings, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Little Weaver and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Vinaceous Dove, Hoopoe, Nubian Woodpecker, Mosque Swallow, the Ruppell’s, Yellow-rumped Seedeater, Clapperton’s Francolin, Black Coucal, African Moustached and the Broad-tailed Warblers, Marsh Tchagra and Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Common Ostrich.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Hiking and Nature walks are very exceptional in Kidepo National Park as you transfer with a park ranger guide to the Lomej Mountains and Narus Valley. You transfer to look into the culture, traditions and customs of thee IK local people. You transfer through the stunning Kidepo River Valley which offers you scenic views of the borassus palm forest.
Hike to Lomej Mountains
At Kidepo National Park, travelers can hike to the stunning Lomej Mountains a hike that takes you 4 hours starting at 7:00 am. You can as well as go on short guided nature walks for 2 hours through the Narus Valley and these stretch for about 5 kilometers from the famous Apoka Tourism Center. You can also hike to the Namamkweny Valley for a period of 1 hour.
Cultural Encounters
Cultural Encounters are very exceptional at Kidepo National Park as you get a deep insight into the Lorokul Cultural Group who are the cattle herding Karamajong that stay in the far North eastern part of Uganda. You continue on your adventure exploring the Karamajong Manyattas-Homesteads, cattle enclosures and granaries. Learn various traditional skills like making unique beads, local meals, etc.