Kidepo National park
Kidepo National Park is located in the remote North Eastern Part of Uganda covering an area of 1,442 square kilometres (557 sq mi) in the Karamoja Region- Kaabong District. It is transected by Rivers Kidepo and Narus with Mount Morungole. The North Western border of the park lies along the South Sudan border and by road, the park is about 220 kilometers (140 mi) North West of Moroto and 520 kilometres (320 mi) North East of Kampala. In the park is Kanangarok a luke warm permanent hot spring located n the far Northern region and a permanent water source for wildlife animals which come here for water.
Vegetation
The vegetation in the park comprises of open tree Savannah vegetation due to differences in the rainfall amounts i.e of 89 centimeters (35 in) in Narus and 64 centimeters (25 in) in the Kidepo basin with wildlife animals that inhabit both regions of the park. Vegetation in the Park’s Narus Valleys is shorter red oat grass and taller bunchy Guinea grass and fine thatching grass. In the dry regions of the park are red thorn acacias, , drumstick trees and desert dates where as the wet areas comprise of sausage trees and fan palms. The wildlife animals you watch include; hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, Cape buffaloes, bat-eared foxes, Rothschild’s giraffes and about 500 bird species. There are also Streams in the park dotted with palms.
Activities to do in the park
Game Drives
Game Drives are the most prominent safari activity carried out in the park as you transfer from one track to another in a 4×4 wheel drive. You watch wildlife animals like the elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, ostrich, buffalo, Kavirondo bush baby. Ostriches are prominently spotted around the beautiful Kanangorok Hot Springs.
Birding
Kidepo National Park is a birder’s paradise as the park inhabits various bird species like the 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, Secretary Bird, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk etc.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Kidepo National Park offers amazing hiking and Nature Walk adventures to all travelers interested. The hikes proceed to the Lomej Mountains as well as the Narus Valley. You will transfer to discover the culture and traditions of the remote tribe of the IK people and be amazed about the beautiful Kidepo River Valley which flows between the banks of borassus palm forest.
Hike to Lomej Mountains
The hike to the Lomej Mountains will take a period of 4 hours and starts in the morning at 7:00 am where as the shorter guided walks through the Narus Valley take about 2 hours stretching over 5 kilometers from the Apoka Tourism Center.
Nature Walk to Kidepo River Valley & Namamkweny Valley
The hike to the Kidepo River Valley takes you between the banks of the beautiful Borassus palm forest offering unique views at nature.
The hike to the Namamkweny Valley is also remarkable for it requires 1 hour from Apoka.
Take on a guided Hike and nature walk to visit the remote Ik tribe.
Cultural Encounters
Kidepo National park offers remarkable cultural encounters as you transfer to visit and discover the Lorokul Cultural Group who are the cattle herding Karamajong who occupy the distant North Eastern region of Uganda. Visit the Lorukul Cultural Group located outside the park to learn the traditions & culture of these amazing people.
Herding livestock is their main activity and their social, cultural and way of life is fully explained when you go visiting them. Proceed on your jurney as you explore the Karamajong Manyattas-Homesteads, cattle enclosures as well as granaries. Get involved into their culture as you learn how to make their unique beads, local meals, talk to the Karamajong King who will inform you more about their beliefs and customs from previous generations.