Kidepo National Park Safaris

Kidepo national park safaris to Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda dubbed by CNN Travel as the best African wilderness is such a great Uganda safari destination. The park covers 1,442 square kilometers (557 sq mi) situated in the far northeastern region of Uganda within the Karamoja region.

Kidepo National Park was named after the Kidepo valley that crosses through the park, this is a rugged savannah also dominated by Mount Morungole (2,750 m) and transected Kidepo and Narus Rivers. Kidepo national park is the furthest park northeast of Uganda approximately 520 kilometers from Kampala –Uganda’s capital. This makes the drive to the park last about 11-12 hours, however, when you reach the park it is all worth it.

The park consists of the two major valley systems which are Kidepo and Narus Rivers. The valley floors lie between 3,000 feet (910 m) and 4,000 feet (1,200 m) and rimmed by several mountains which is why the park is named Kidepo Valley National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park is such an extraordinary place to visit and therefore choose when planning to have an authentic African safari. There are several reasons to visit Kidepo and here is what to do and see in Kidepo.

Activities to do during Kidepo National Park Safaris

Wildlife tours

Nubian Giraffes in Kidepo Valley National Park

Wildlife is a highlight for the park with several animals that roam through the wilderness with about 86 mammal species known to be within the park boundaries.

Some of the wildlife in the park include the Rothschilds giraffes, lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, wild dogs, elephants, zebras, African buffalo, bat-eared foxes, antelopes like the elands and dik-dik.

Primates like monkeys can also be found in the park. It is only in Kidepo where cheetahs can be seen in Uganda.

To see wildlife during Kidepo national park safaris is by undertaking a game drive or nature walk. With the vastness of the park, it is best recommended to have at least two days in the park and that’s why our 4 days Kidepo safari is a perfect road safari to the park. This trip can be either by road or air.

Bird watching

Kidepo is the second national park with the highest population of bird species after Queen Elizabeth National Park. This makes it such a rewarding Uganda birding safari destination. The park has a very impressive bird species of 470 bird species and 60 birds on this list haven’t been recorded in any other Ugandan park. The park is especially known as good for spotting raptors with about 56 species of them.

Some of the notable birds in Kidepo Valley National Park include the dark chanting goshawk, kori bustard, little bee-eater, red and yellow barbet, Abyssinian roller, black-breasted barbet, chestnut weaver, fox kestrel, greater kestrel, Jackson’s hornbill, purple grenadier, pygmy falcon, rose-ringed parakeet, rufous chatterer, and many more.

The ostrich, which is the largest bird is only seen in Kidepo national park in Uganda.

People and culture of the Karamojong – Kidepo national park safaris

Kidepo is found in the Karamoja region, a group of people with a very unique culture. There are two groups of people who live around the park and these are the IK and Karamojong. The cultures, traditions, and way of life of these two tribes are amazing.

You can spend the day on a cultural tour with the Karamojong or hike to mount Morungole to see the IK people. Participate in their dance, traditional dances, and learn something from these people.

Choose to undertake Kidepo national park safaris and enjoy the best of the African wilderness in a remote setting. Uganda wildlife tours to Kidepo can be by road or air.

The most recommended shortest safari to the park is the 3 days tour and the longest can be a 5 days tour to explore the park. Book with Acacia safaris the perfect kind of safari to Kidepo.