KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
First gazetted as a game reserve in 1958 by the British colonial government and later transformed into a national park in 1962, Kidepo national park is a true safari gem that boasts an incredible diversity of big game, unique landscapes and rich birdlife. It is home to over 77 mammal species and a striking 476 bird species, making it a major destination for wildlife lovers and adventure explorers.
Settled in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is an untouched wilderness that ranks among Africa’s finest safari destinations. Spanning 1,442 square kilometers of jagged savannah, dramatic mountains, and seasonal rivers, Kidepo offers an unmatched blend of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and ironic cultural heritage.
Often described as a “hidden gem,” its isolation has preserved its untouched beauty, making it a must-visit for exploratory travellers seeking an authentic African safari experience.
Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s most remote and least explored national park, yet it is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness areas. Located in the semi-arid valleys of Karamoja, the park borders South Sudan to the northwest and Kenya just 5km to the east, sitting approximately 700km from Kampala.
Location of Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the northeastern side of Karamoja region of Uganda, within Kaabong District, it borders with South Sudan in the northwest and Kenya in the east.
The park is approximately 520 kilometers northeast of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and about 220 kilometers northwest of Moroto, the largest town in the sub-region.
The park’s northwestern boundary borders South Sudan’s Kidepo Game Reserve, and its eastern edge is just 5km from Kenya’s Northern Frontier District.
The park’s remote location contributes to its exclusiveness, as it receives fewer visitors than more accessible parks like Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth. Access to Kidepo is possible by road, air, or a combination of both:
How big is Kidepo Valley National Park?
Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1,442 square kilometers making it third of Uganda’s biggest national parks
The park’s altitude ranges from 914 meters above sea level on the valley floor to 2,750 meters above sea level at the peak of Mount Morungole, creating diverse ecosystems from savannah grasslands to montane forests.
The park is defined by two major valley systems—the Kidepo Valley in the north and the Narus Valley in the southwest divided by the seasonal Kidepo and Narus rivers.
What is Kidepo Valley National Park Famous for?
Kidepo’s fame comes from its unique combination of scenic beauty, biodiversity, and exclusivity:
Stunning Landscapes; CNN Travel ranked Kidepo the third most attractive national park in Africa, citing its sweeping savannahs, rugged hills, and the gloomy presence of Mount Morungole.
Unique Wildlife; The park hosts 86 mammal species, including 28 found nowhere else in Uganda, such as cheetahs, ostriches, and bat-eared foxes. It’s the only Ugandan park with resident zebras and elands.
Birding Paradise; With 476 bird species, Kidepo is second only to Queen Elizabeth National Park for avian diversity, featuring rarities like the Karamoja apalis and Abyssinian ground hornbill.
Cultural Heritage; Home to the Karamojong and Ik people, Kidepo offers rich cultural encounters, particularly with the Ik, one of Africa’s smallest ethnic groups.
Exclusivity; Its isolation ensures low tourist numbers (2,300 visitors in 2012-2013), offering a private safari experience.
Conservation Success; The park’s Rothschild’s giraffe population recovered from three individuals in 1992 to over 50 today through translocation efforts.
Historical Significance; Once a playground for Idi Amin, Kidepo’s ruins and its 1962 gazetting as a national park under Milton Obote add historical depth.
Key Features in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo’s key features are a blend of natural wonders, wildlife, and cultural sites, making it a complex destination.
The park’s most wildlife-rich area, fed by the Narus River, which retains water pools in the dry season, attracting herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and predators like lions and cheetahs.
Offers sweeping views from vantage points and is ideal for game drives and walking safaris.
Kidepo Valley
A drier, semi-desert landscape near the South Sudan border, known for its wild beauty and seasonal sand rivers lined with Borassus palms trees.
Best for spotting ostriches, secretary birds, and kudu, with the Kanangorok Hot Springs as a scenic highlight.
Mount Morungole
Rising to 2,750 meters, this sacred peak is home to the Ik people and offers hiking opportunities with panoramic views of the park and montane forests hosting black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Kanangorok Hot Springs
Located 30 kilometers north of Apoka in Lotukei, near the South Sudan border, these tepid springs are the park’s most permanent water source, attracting wildlife and offering a relaxing stop.
Namamukweny Valley
Despite it’s Napore name meaning “place with no birds,” this northwestern valley is a birding hotspot with species like the white-crested turaco and Abyssinian roller.
Lonyili Mountain
Near the Sudan border, this montane forest habitat supports primates and offers aerial views via charter flights due to poor road access.
Apoka Tourism Centre
The park’s heart, featuring a man-made dam where wildlife gathers, an airfield, and accommodations like Apoka Safari Lodge. Ideal for starting game drives and cultural tours.
Activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Game Drives
Conducted in the Narus Valley or Kidepo Valley, game drives are best in early morning or in the evening during the dry season (September-March) when animals gather at water sources.
Expect to see lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and buffalo. Narus Valley is known for its largest herds of buffaloes.
Nature Walks and Hiking
Guided walks (2-3 hours) in Narus Valley or around Apoka Rest Camp offer close encounters with wildlife and plants. Longer hikes to Lomej or Morungole Mountains provide cultural and scenic rewards.
Birdwatching
With 476 species, including 60 not found elsewhere in Uganda but in kidepo national valley national, Kidepo is a birder’s haven. Key species include the ostrich, black-breasted barbet Karamoja apalis, and northern carmine bee-eater.
Hotspots include Namamukweny Valley, Apoka Rest Camp, and Narus Valley fringes.
Photography
Kidepo’s “dawn of creation” landscapes, as described by Tripadvisor reviewers, are ideal for photography, especially at sunrise/sunset in Narus Valley or Kidepo Valley’s sand rivers.
Wildlife like cheetahs on rocky outcrops and buffalo herds provide dramatic subjects.
Cultural Encounters
Visit Karamojong manyattas (homesteads) to experience pastoralist traditions, including Apiti dances and Emuya, cattle keeping, and crafts like spears and jewellery.
The Ik people on Mount Morungole offer a rare sight into their hunter-gatherer way of living, with village walks and storytelling.
Camping
Camping at Apoka Rest Camp or Kidepo Savannah Lodge offers an immersive wilderness experience under star glowing skies.
Wildlife found in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo’s biodiversity is a major attraction, with 86 mammal species and 476 bird species, of which many are unique to the Karamoja region. The park hosts four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo)
Predators; Lions, cheetahs (which are rare in Uganda), spotted hyenas, leopards black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, caracals, side-striped jackals and aardwolves.
Herbivores; African buffalo (herds up to 10,000), Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda Kob, common zebras, elands, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeests, elephants, klipspringers, and Guenther’s dik-diks.
Primates; Five species, including the patas monkey, black and white colobus monkeys and Kavirondo bush baby.
Endemic Species; 28 mammals, such as bat-eared foxes, cheetahs, and lesser kudu, are restricted to Kidepo within Uganda.
Birds; Notable species include ostriches (Uganda’s only population), secretary birds, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Karamoja apalis, and 56 raptor species like the Verreaux’s eagle.
Conservation Status; The park suffered poaching during Idi Amin’s era, destroying species like the Rothschild’s giraffe (down to three in 1992). Translocation efforts have increased giraffe numbers to over 50.
Lions and elephants are recovering, supported by Global Conservation’s anti-poaching initiatives and the Northern Rangelands Trust.
Challenges include poaching outside park boundaries, where 50% of wildlife roams.
How to get to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Visiting Kidepo requires planning due to its remoteness, but the journey is rewarding. Here’s how to get there and prepare:
By Road: The most direct route from Kampala is via Gulu and Kitgum to the Lokumoit Gate, covering 520km and taking 8-10 hours in a 4×4 vehicle. Alternative routes through Karamoja via Moroto to Nataba Gate are longer taking 10-12 hours but offer cultural immersion. Stopovers at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or Kitgum can break the journey.
By Air: Scheduled flights by Aero link Uganda operate from Entebbe International Airport to Apoka Airstrip on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, taking about 2 hours. Charter flights are also available.
By Public Transport: Limited options exist, with buses from Kampala to Kitgum followed by private transfers to the park, but this is less reliable.
The park’s main entry point is the Apoka Tourism Centre, where visitors clear permits, book activities, and access accommodations. Its remoteness, once a barrier due to regional conflicts, now enhances its attraction as an untouched wilderness.
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