Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda (East Africa)

Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the Kaabong District in North-Eastern Uganda. The park adjoins the frontiers of Kenya and South Sudan. Established in 1962, this stunning wildlife abode covers an area of 1,399 km² (540ml²) of sweeping wooded savannah; with the topography dominated by 2,750m (9,020 ft) high Mount Morungole; which is cut across by Kidepo and Narus Rivers.

The park hosts an enormous diversity of animal species than any other park in Uganda. Of the 80 species listed in Uganda in 1971, 28 occurred only in this park. Carnivorous species unique to Kidepo include the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aard wolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog. The rare angulates include the greater and lesser kudu, chandler’s mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, bright’s gazelle; beisa oryx and roan antelope. Among other bulky ungulates are elephant, burchell's zebra, bush pig, warthog, Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water buck, bohor reed buck, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi. Five species of primate are found in the park, of which the Kavirondo bush baby is endemic. Other carnivores harboured by the park include lion, leopard, several small cats, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal.  

The park boasts an extensive avifauna population; for which 465 species have been recorded. Of particular interest are the ostrich and the Kori Bustard.

The park is well-known for its stunning number of birds of prey. Of the 58 recorded, 14 are considered to be endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region. These include the Varreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture, and pygmy falcon. Also present there are 4 species of hornbills; for which, the red-billed and yellow-billed are peculiar to Kidepo; while the giant Abbyssinian ground hornbill is quite common. This is the only park in Uganda where visitors can view the zebra and giraffe; as well as the remarkable white buffalo.

Hiking can be carried out on Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometres from the park’s headquarters. Guests can also visit the splendid Kidepo River Valley, dominated by borassus palm forest. From Kidepo Valley, one can also visit the Kanangorok hot springs, which are located only 11 km from Kidepo River Valley. The Narus Valley is situated in the south-west of the park; with the rugged Napore-Nyagia Mountain range forming its western boundary. Separating it from the Kidepo Valley in the north-east are the Natira and Lokayot hills.

Accommodation in the park ranges from self-catering chalets to non-catering bandas and campsites.

Kidepo National Park can be reached by road or by air. By road, one travels from Kampala; Uganda’s political capital, via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto to Kidepo; or Kampala via Mbale, Sironko-Kotido then Kidepo. The second option is to board a chartered flight from Entebbe Airport to Lamoj near the park’s headquarters.