KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Kidepo National Park is located in north eastern Uganda and shares a border with Sudan.  It occupies an area of 540 square miles (1,399 square km) in wooded grasslands and mountainous scenery in the northeastern corner of the country. It straddles the Kidepo and Larus rivers, Mount Morungole on the east and the Lotuku Ridge rising in the Sudan to the north.

The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda's most spectacular parks and harbors scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. It could not be any better' is a common comment on the scenery by visitors who visit Kidepo. The vegetation comprises of open tree Savannah and Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while areas along the Lorupei river support dense Acacia forest. The flora and fauna of the park are more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape throughout the park is characterized with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions.


Tourist Activities

Game Viewing
Game viewing tracks lead you to a great diversity of animal species. The park hosts over 80 mammal species. Carnivore species unique to Kidepo and Karamoja region include the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog. Less common ungulates include the greater and lesser kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, dikdik and bright gazelle; beisa Oryx and roan antelope have been severely depleted by poachers in the recent years. Among other mammals present are elephant, Burch ell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog, Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water buck, bohor reed buck, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi.

 Five species of primate are found in the park of which the Kavirondo bush baby is endemic. Carnivores present include lion, leopard, several small cats, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal, the easiest to see being the jackals.
There are high chances of viewing tree climbing lions that always sit on sausage trees along Narus valley.

Bird Watching:
Over 465 species have been recorded, of particular interest, the ostrich and the Kori bustard are principally associated with arid regions. The Apoka rest camp and Park headquarters overlooking the southern Narus valley is a great spot to begin your birding. The attractive Silver bird and small bands of Yellow-billed Shrike frequent the thorn trees as do other bird species such as Nubian Woodpecker, Mosque Swallow and superb starlings. The grassland along the Apoka Airstrip is a good place to search for the striking Black-headed Plover, Common Buttonquail and black bellied Bustard.
The park is outstanding for its birds of prey of which 14 species are believed to be endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region. These include Verreaux's eagle, Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon. The park has four species of hornbills. The red billed, the yellow-billed and Jackson's hornbill are peculiar to Kidepo, while the giant Abyssinia ground hornbill is quite common.

 

Scenery Viewing.
Visitors who take the Soroti-Moroto road will be amazed by the view of the steep volcano of Alekilek about midway Moroti and Soroti. And for those who take the Lira-Kotido road will enjoy the scenery of the Labwor hills and in particular the massive and bare Alerek (Kidi Rwot) rock about 55 km to Kotido.
The scenery of the mountain and Savannah landscape of the park is spectacular. In the northeast, are the Lokayot Hills. To the north in the Sudan are the Lotukei Mountains and the Morungole range marks the southern boundary of the park.
  • Hiking
    Hiking trails take place on Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometers from the Park Headquarters. Visitors can also go to view the splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated by Borassus palm forest. From Kidepo Valley, visitors may hike to the Kanangorok Hot Springs, which are located only 11 km from Kidepo river valley.

    • Cultural Dances
    The local community upon request can arrange traditional dances such as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, Larakaraka and Apiti.

    Accommodation - Apoka Safari Lodge