Kidepo National Park Uganda
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the far northeastern part of Uganda and very isolated from the rest of the country by the sparsely populated, arid badlands of the Karamoja still offering the best and untouched wildlife encounters in Africa only that it is on a few Uganda tour operators’ websites till recent when many of these are starting to feature it. The not visits to the park are majorly due to its accessibility which might take not less that 14 hours if getting there by road from Kampala.
Kidepo Valley National Park covers an area of 1,442 sq kilometers, lying between 910 – 2750 meters above sea level. The highest point in the park is mount Morungole which lies just on the Sudanese border and view-able from different points in the park. The mountainous terrain is broken by the Narus valley in the southwest and the Kidepo valley in the northeast which make the park diverse and hold unique wildlife. The dominant habitat is open or lightly wooded savanna, on a single visit to the park, one will note that it is interspersed with patches of montane forest, riparian woodland, all decorated with beautiful looking borassus palms and rocky koppies. The national park once had 86 mammal species now reduced to 77 after a rash of local extinction in recent years. The bird checklist of 463 confirmed and 26 unconfirmed species is second only to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and more than 60 of the birds listed have been recorded in no other Ugandan national park making it a must visit destination to bird watchers visiting Uganda.
Five primate species have been recorded in Kidepo, including the localized patas monkey. Predators are particularly well represented, with 20 resident species. Of these, the aardwolf, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, cheetah and caracal are found in no other national park in Uganda except here. Other predators recorded in Kidepo are the side-stripped jackal, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, and a variety of mustelids, genets, mangoose and small cats. Twelve antelope species occur in Kidepo of which the greater kudu, lesser kudu, Guenther’s dik-dik, and mountain reedbuck occur nowhere else in Uganda making this indeed a unique destination. Other antelope species found in Kidepo are Jackson’s hartebeest, eland, bushbuck, klipspringer, common duiker, Oribi, Defassa waterbuck, and bohor reedbuck. Kidepo also supports populations of elephant, Burchell’s zebra, warthog, bushpig and buffalo. The black rhinoceros recently became extinct in Kidepo, but giraffes have been saved from local extinction by the translocation of several animals from Kenya. Kidepo’s long bird checklist is made even more impressive by the relatively small size of the park and the fact that as many as 100 of the birds listed are either dry-country species which within Uganda are practically confined to Kidepo, or else northern or eastern species which have been noted elsewhere only in the north of Murchison Falls National Park and in the Mount Elgon area. Raptors are particularly well represented: 56 species in total, of which the most commonly observed, are the dark chanting goshawk, pygmy falcon, tawny eagle, bataleur, secretary bird and several types of vultures. Other birds which must be regarded as Kidepo’s specials, at least within Uganda, include the ostrich, white-bellied go-away bird, kori bustard, fox and white eyed kestrels, , carmine, little green and red-throated bee-eaters, Abyssinian roller, Abyssinian scimitarbill, d’Arnauds, red and yellow and black-breasted barbets, red-billed, yellow-billed and Jackson’s hornbill, Karamoja apalis, Rufous chatterer, chestnut weaver, red-billed and white-headed buffalo weavers, northern brownbul, golden pipit, and purple grenadier – to name only a few but the checklist is on going.
Isolated form Uganda’s mainstream by the harsh plains of the Elgon Kidepo is one the Africa’s last great wilderness areas, a tract of rugged savannah dominated by the 270m mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Naurus rivers. Perennial water make Kidepo an oasis in the semi desert, reflected in its 86 mammal species (28 being endemic to this valley) and almost 500 bird species. Predators are well represented-lion, cheetah and leopard, but also the delightful bat-eared fox and insectivorous hyena-like aardwolf- while a long list of dry country antelopes include the regal greater Kudu and beissa Oryx. While game viewing can be excellent it is the thrilling sense supreme isolation that distinguishes this rare slice of wild Africa, as yet been undiscovered by the mass safari market.
A number of activities have been registered in the wilderness park virgin waiting to be discovered.
Game drives: these can be down along the Naurus valley as the wildlife congregates here much of the year. This area has adequate tracks circuits enabling visitors vie w animals at a close range the Katurum kopje provides superb views north across the valley towards Morungole mountain ranges.
Nature walks: Nature walks can be done around the Apoka camp at anytime of the day, visitors will be able to view species of animals like the zebras, elephants, bulbul, and reedbucks. At the eastern Kakine circuit, visitors can see wildlife at a close range of up to 50-70 metres. Nature walks can also be done along Rionomoe trail and around this hill where one can view the lower side of the Naurus valley.
Community Walk: community walks are one of the ways one can get to know more about the Karamajong lifestyle, cultures, dressing style, dancing, and the tools used. The Karamajong are traditionally cattle raiders and hunters. However through community conservation education their lifestyle is gradually changing and most of them now know the value of conserving the park.
Mountain Hiking: The Morungole ranges rise from the plains a few kilometers north of Apoka. A trip to Kidepo valley is needed to get a good view of Morungole Mountain, the highest peak in Kidepo. Even at 2,749 m, this peak is not easily seen from most vantage points in the Naurus valley. This can be explored on foot with a ranger guide escort.
Sand along the River Kidepo: Kidepo River is an intermittent sand river found in the northern part of the park. It stands out because it is lined by borassus palms, making it look like an oasis in the Sahara. The sand bed experience on the river bed Kidepo can be very fascinating especially during the dry season. Many birds species can be seen around this area and one cab enjoy the wilderness experience while listening to the difference beautiful songs of the different birds.
Bird Watching: this activity can be done either in the morning or afternoon and the park has got a variety of birds. The experienced guides will show you around.
There are four routes by road: the 705km from Kampala via Lira, Kabong and then Kidepo. The 740kms journey from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kabong and then Kidepo, the 78km journey form Kampala to Mbale, Soroti, Matany, Moroto, Kotido, Kabong and then Kidepo, and the 571km journey from Kampala through Gulu, Kitgum and to Kidepo. Driving through the wilderness can be exciting as visitors can pounce on a chance of better scenery. A 4×4 wheel drive is necessary especially in the rainy season
Chatter air flights to Kidepo National Park can be arranged from Kajansi or Entebbe international airport to Lomej airstrip near the park headquarters. Flight takes two hours. However there is scheduled flight to Kidepo from the international airport once a day.