Kidepo National Park lies in the rugged, semi arid valleys between Uganda’s borders with south Sudan in the north west and only 5km from the eastern border of Kenya, some 700 km from Kampala.
Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses.Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species.
Amongst these are such charismatic African animals as Bat-eared Fox, Carcal, Cheetah and Klipspringer. Unfortunately, Kidepo suffered the same fate as many other Ugandan parks, is regaining it’s game herds which population had been affected by poaching in recent times.
Striped Hyena, Lesser Kudu, Grant’s Gazelle and Beisa Oryx have not been seen at all in recent times and are presumed to be locally extinct. Other large mammals have shown a remarkable recovery and there are now healthy population of Elephant, Common Zebra, Buffalo, Bohor Reedbuck, Waterbuck and Kongoni.
Predators are plentiful and Spotted Hyena, Leopard and Lion are frequently seen. Oribis is abundant in the Narus Valley, whilst the dry thorn thickets in the north are home to Guenther’s Dik Dik.
Senegal Galago and Side striped Jackal may be found in the rest camp at night and White-tailed Mongoose is common but more likely to be found on a night drive. The park also has a very rich and diverse reptile fauna.
ACCOMMODATION
Apoka Rest Camp, run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority offers comfortable bandas within the national park including bedding, mosquito netting and showers.
A more upmarket option is the exclusive Apoka Lodge. This luxury lodge is located in the middle of Kidepo National Park with spacious rooms and private veranda.
Each room has a sitting room and ensuite bathroom. A restaurant and swimming pool are available as well.
It is recommended that a ranger-guide accompany you at all times whilst at Kidepo Valley National park and this can be arranged on arrival at Apoka. Patrick is an excellent ranger who knows many of the birds.
Park officials also suggest that all vehicles travelling north into the Kidepo Valley be escorted by ranger guards due to the periodic presence of poachers and cattle rustlers in the area.
KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK- ACCESS
Kidepo Valley National Park is accessible either by road or by air. The most Accessible route is from Kampala via Gulu and Kitgum. It is a 600 km journey taking a minimum of 12 hours, a 4*4 Safari Vehicle all weather terrain is highly recommended.
- District : Karamoja.
- Elevation : 914m on Kidepo valley floor to 2749m a top Mount Morungole
- Size : 1442 km 2
- Habitat : Semi-desert scrub, open thorn-scrub, open thorn-bush, long and short-grass open tree savannas, riparian woodland including Borassus and Kigelia woodland, thick, “miombo- like” woodland, montane forest and granite out-crops..
- Status : National Park since 1954
- Birds Recorded : 475 species.
- Best time to visit : March-April for all the specials and many transit migrants, although good year – round.
- Time Required : 4-7 days tour
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