Kidepo Valley National Park

Near the borders to South Sudan and Kenya lies the Karamoja region, home to Kidepo Valley National Park. Its remoteness and the fact that it has only recently opened up to tourists have helped preserve its pristine state. You want to escape the crowds? You want to discover a nearly undiscovered corner of Uganda? And you want to experience the most untouched version of this wonderful country? If you’ve answered all of these questions with a loud and clear “yes”, you should definitely add this park to your to see list. Even if you haven’t, you should go 😉

Mount Moroto

Mount Moroto is a 3,000 metre high inactive volcano watching over the Karamoja region. Captivating peaks, geological formations, staggering escarpments and a unique flora and fauna form this natural giant which you can explore during a hike. The tour to the summit is challenging – once you’ve reached the top, though, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views which will take your breath away.

Not just about wildlife and landscape

Kidepo Valley National Park is not just about wildlife and landscapes; it’s also a place to engage with the indigenous communities. The Karamojong are the indigenous pastoralists who call this region home. Their traditions, dances and stories tell you more about their way of life. Their villages are called manyattas. Glimpse into their traditional houses and their everyday life. Lean back and enjoy traditional dance performances (or get up and dance with them) and talk to the Karamojong elders – impressions you’ll remember forever.

Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park

The park’s diverse landscape provides a wealth of natural beauty and recreational activities.

Narus Valley: This valley is the heart of the park. The Narus River is home to fascinating animals which you can marvel at during your game drive. Kidepo Valley National Park is also one of the few parks where you can embark on a night game drive.

Kidepo Valley: The rugged terrain of Kidepo Valley is captivating, with lush vegetation and rich wildlife. Just hop into your 4×4 and switch into your explorer mode.

Kanangorok Hot Springs: These geothermal springs are an intriguing natural phenomenon in which you can even take a little bath – the locals believe them to have healing powers. However, we would not recommend.

Kidepo River: The park’s namesake river flows through the arid plains, providing a lifeline for wildlife. If you want to marvel at scenic beauty and loads of animals, just find a cosy spot somewhere close.

Lomej Hills: Lace up your hiking boots and hike up the Lomej. On the summit you will not only be greeted by stunning views, but also by a mountain tribe called Ik – a cultural encounter of the very special kind.

How to get there

Reaching Kidepo Valley National Park may require a bit of effort due to its remote location, but the journey is an adventure in itself.

By Air: From Entebbe International Airport you can take a domestic flight to Kidepo Airport, which is the closest airstrip to the park.

By Road: The park is approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) from Kampala. Either you drive around 12 to 14 hours, or you add a few stops along the way.

If you’re already in the Karamoja region, Moroto is the closest major town to Kidepo. It’s about a three to four hour drive to the park.

Climate

Kidepo’s climate is typical to the savannah, with parched, sun-soaked days in the dry season and flourishing greenery during the wet season.

Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park

You can visit Kidepo throughout the year. During the dry season from June to August and from December to February you’ll find a lot of animals gathering around the waterholes – animal spotting made easy 😉

The rain season lasts from March to April and from September to November and is the ideal time for bird lovers.