Kidepo
Valley National Park
|
INTRODUCTION.
Kidepo Valley National park is located in the north- Eastern
part of Uganda; 700km from Kampala and it is tucked between
the borders of Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. The Kidepo Valley
Natuonal Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular
parks; it covers an area of 1,442 sq km and excellent for
walking safaris as well as day and night game drives. It
lies in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of Karamoja province,
and those that make the long journey north would agree that
it is the most magnificent park.
The park harbors scenery unsurpassed in any other park of
East Africa as well as great numbers of fauna and floral
species. The vegetation can best be described as open tree
Savannah that varies much in structure and composition.
Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while
areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi
forests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
ACCESSIBILITY.
The Park is accessed by both road transport and air transport.
However because of security reasons, tourists are encouraged
to use air transport since security situations are unpredictable
on the road due to the existence of the stubborn Karamajong
pastoralists.
Chartered aircraft are available from Entebbe International
Airport to the Park Headquarters.
For the drives through out the park high level of security
and safety is guaranteed. Road conditions are sometimes difficult
and 4WD vehicles are essential.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAMMALS.
The park has over 80 mammalian species with around 28 of them
being not found in any other Ugandan National park. These
include Carcal, Bat-eared Fox, Klipspringers, and Cheetahs.
Other mammals include Elephants, Common Zebras, Buffaloes,
Bohor Reedbucks, Waterbucks and Kongoni, Spotted Hyenas, Leopards
and Lions, Oribis, Guenther's Dik Dik, Senegal Galagos, Side
striped Jackals among others.
BIRDS.
The park is blessed with a number of bird species which
include Silver birds, Yellow-billed Shrikes, Vinaceous Doves,
Hoopoes, Nubian Woodpeckers, Mosque Swallows, Starlings,
Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Little Weavers, Red-cheeked Cordon-blue
swallows, Yellow-rumped Seed eaters, Sand grouses, Clapperton's
Francolin, Black Coucal, African Mustached and Broad-tailed
Warblers, Marsh Tchagra and Crimson-rumped Waxbill among
others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME VIEWING.
The park harbours a great diversity of animal species than
other parks in Uganda. These include carnivores, ungulates,
and primates. There are high chances of viewing tree-climbing
lions that always sits on sauces trees along Narus valley
or on the rock just as you enter the Apoka Park Headquarter.
Right from Apoka Rest Camp other animals that can be seen
include elephants, leopards, bush duikers, jackals, bush bucks,
bush pigs, kavirondo bush babies, buffaloes and much more.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
BIRDING.
The Park boasts of an extensive avifauna. 465 species have
been recorded birds of particular interest include the ostrich
and the Kori bustard which are principally associated with
arid regions. The park also has outstanding numbers of birds
of prey. In this category, 58 species of birds that have been
recorded. Amongst these 14 are believed to be endemic to Kidepo
and the Karamoja region. HIKING AND SCENERY VIEWING.
Hiking is carried out on Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometers
from the Park Headquarters. |
|
|
|
|
|
CULTURAL PERFORMANCE.
The local community neighboring the park stages cultural dances
and performances. Traditional dances such as the Emuya of
the Naporre and Nyangia, Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the
Acholi are interesting to see and participate too.
Nature Walk and cultural visits to the Karamajong manyattas
(homesteads) where you will be able to see kraals belonging
to local communities, traditional costume, stools, spears
headdress, knives, bows and arrows and jewelry among others.
Visit the splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated by Borassus
palm forest.
Visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, located only 11 km from
Kidepo river valley.
Picnicking from the sand
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Tour Attraction
• Day
and Night Game drives
• Bird watching
•
Traditional performances
• Walking safaris
•
Hiking
• Beautiful Sunsets over the Karamojong Plains
• Dream Honeymoon destination
|
|
|
|
