KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Kidepo Valley National park is located in north- Eastern part of Uganda, 700km from Kampala and it is located between the borders of Uganda, Kenya and Sudan making it the most isolated park in Uganda. It covers an area of 1,442 sq km. It lies in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of Karamoja province; those that make the long journey north would agree that it is the most attractive park. The park also harbours scenery not found in any, other park of East Africa as well as great numbers of fauna and floral species. The vegetation can best be described as open tree Savannah which varies much in structure and composition. Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forests.

Getting to the park
The Park is accessed by both road transport and air transport. However due to the existence of the stubborn Karamajong pastoralists tourists are encouraged to use air transport as the situation on the road may be un predicted. Chartered aircraft are available from Entebbe International Airport to the Park Headquarters. For all the activities through out the park high level of security and safety is maintained. It should be noted however that driving is more rewarding as much of Karamoja, like Kidepo itself is a wide range o unspoiled wilderness. Hence roads conditions in park are sometimes difficult and 4WD vehicles are essential. Kidepo national park has got four possible routes by road for those who prefer road transport. Routes via Mbale pass to the east of Lake Kyoga to reach to northern Uganda, routes via Karuma pass to the west.
Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kidepo this route is about 792kms
Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo which is 740kms
Kampala-Karuma-Lira-Kotido-Kidepo is 705kms
Kampala-Karuma-Gulu-Kitgum-Kidepo is about 571kms
it should be noted however that the road mainly in use is from Kotido to kaabong passes via kanawat not Losilang as indicated on most maps. Thus those intending to travel by road are advised to contact UWA headquarters to seek advice about conditions and safety on the roads.

Where to stay
Accommodation is more concentrated at Apoka which is located on the shallow slopes of the scenic Narus valley. Apoka lodge offers spacious and luxurious cottages with expensive views across the plains. Bottled drinks are available but visitors are advised to bring their own food.
There two basic campsite are sited in the Narus valley. Each is provided with a pit latrine and shower stall but visitors should bring all their own equipment.

FLORA AND FAUNA
Kidepo is highly unhibited by woodland and forest this comes as a result of the open tree savanna habitant which dominates the park. Hills are colonized by the dry mountain forest and some watercourses support Acacia forests. Some hilltops are covered by rock kopjes which prove habitats for klipspringer and give panoramic views.
The national park contains one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan national park with 77 species of mammals, many of which are restricted to Kidepo and Karamoja region. Some of the localized carnivores include the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal and cheetah. Other carnivores present include lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and a black-backed and side-striped jackal. Less common ungulates include the grater and lesser kudu, chandlers mountain reedbuck, klipspringer etc. some of the larger ungulates include elephant, burchell’s zebra, bushpig, warthog etc. the park has got five species of primates are found in the park including the endemic Kivirondo bush baby.
The park has got 463 bird species confirmed and 26 unconfirmed and its second to Queen Elizabeth NP. There few species to note in the Ugandan contest are the ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird, carmine among others. Kidepo is also known for its birds of prey. Among the 56 species recorded, 14 including Verreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon, are believed to be endemic to the Kidepo and Karamoja region.

Local people
Kidepo national park is surrounded by the Karamajong who are mainly cattle keepers, who are slowly adapting to changes in their traditional way of life. Interested visitors are able to visit the Karamajong homesteads to see traditional customs, stools, spears, beads, jewelry, and arrows among others.

Around the park
Narus valley
Most of the park’s wildlife is concentrated in the Narus valley for much of the year; this area is well equipped with game tracks. There are three loops circuits that explore the valley around Apoka that is to say, at the southern end of the katuruma loop, katurum kopje provide a superb views north across the valley towards the Morungule mountain range. A park truck is provided and charged per kilometer for those who don’t have transport.
Morungule Mountain
This ranges rises from the plains a few kilometers north east of Apoka. And can be explored on foot with a ranger guide escort.
Kidepo valley
Since Kidepo receives little rain a year, lack of surface water means that little wildlife is found in Kidepo valley. Never the less its still worth giving a drive to visit the seasonal Kidepo river and move along its wide bed of white sand between banks covered with borassus palm forest and its about 50m. There also hot spring found on the Sudan border 11km beyond the river crossing.

Mammals
The park has over 80 mammalian species with around 28 of them being not found in any other Ugandan National park. These include Carcal, Bat-eared Fox, Klipspringers, and Cheetahs. Other mammals include Elephants, Common Zebras, Buffaloes, Bohor Reedbucks, Waterbucks and Kongoni, Spotted Hyenas, Leopards and Lions, Oribis, Guenther's Dik Dik, Senegal Galagos, Side striped Jackals among others.
Birds
The park is blessed with a number of bird species which include Silver birds, Yellow-billed Shrikes, Vinaceous Doves, Hoopoes, Nubian Woodpeckers, Mosque Swallows, Starlings, Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Little Weavers, Red-cheeked Cordon-blue swallows, Yellow-rumped Seed eaters, Sand grouses, Clapperton's Francolin, Black Coucal, African Mustached and Broad-tailed Warblers, Marsh Tchagra and Crimson-rumped Waxbill among others.

Game viewing
The park harbours a great diversity of animal species than other parks in Uganda. These include carnivores, ungulates, and primates. There are high chances of viewing tree climbing lions that always sits on sauces trees along Narus valley or on the rock just as you enter the Apoka Park Headquarter. Right from Apoka Rest Camp other animals that can be seen include elephants, leopards, bush duikers, jackals, bush bucks, bush pigs, kavirondo bush babies, buffaloes and much more.

Birding
The Park boasts of an extensive avifauna. 465 species have been recorded birds of particular interest include the ostrich and the Kori bustard which are principally associated with arid regions. The park also has outstanding numbers of birds of prey. In this category, 58 species of birds that have been recorded. Amongst these 14 are believed to be endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region.
Hiking and scenery viewing
Hiking is carried out on Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometers from the Park Headquarters.

Cultural performance
The local community near the park stages cultural dances and performances. Traditional dances such as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi are interesting to see and participate too.

Nature Walk and cultural visits to the Karamajong manyattas (homesteads) where you will be able to see kraals belonging to local communities, traditional costume, stools, spears headdress, knives, bows and arrows and jewelry among others.
Visit the splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated by Borassus palm forest.
Visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, located only 11 km from Kidepo river valley.
Picnicking from the sand