Kidepo Valley National Park

Far from everything

Kidepo is in the extreme northeast of Uganda, at the meeting point of Uganda, South Sudan and Kenya. It’s hot and dry, with wide plains, thorn scrub and rocky mountains on the horizon. Compared with most Ugandan parks, it’s wide open, and animals are easy to see.

Because it’s so far away, few tourists visit. That’s part of its appeal. A game drive here often has no other vehicles in sight.

Wildlife

Some of Kidepo’s animals are hard to find elsewhere in Uganda. The plains of the Narus Valley support large herds of buffalo, elephants, giraffes and zebras. Cheetah, greater kudu and Jackson’s hartebeest are among the specialities. Lions are present, and leopards are sometimes spotted. Ostrich walk across the plains, and the birding is outstanding, with more than 450 recorded species including raptors and dry-country specialists.

People and culture

The Karamojong pastoralists live around the park, as do the Ik, a small community that lives high in the Morungole mountains. Some lodges arrange respectful cultural visits. As with any community visit, ask how the visit is organised and how it benefits local people.

When to go

The dry season, roughly November to March, is best for wildlife viewing and driving. During the rains, from April to October, the park is green and the scenery is dramatic, but some roads are hard to use, and animals are more dispersed.

Getting there

The easy way is a flight of about two hours from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Lomej airstrip. Driving from Kampala takes 10 to 12 hours, and the road through the north is long, but it can be done with an overnight at Murchison Falls or Gulu. A combined itinerary with Murchison Falls makes a northern Uganda circuit.

Costs

Park entry for foreign non-residents is charged by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the tariff changes periodically. Because of the travel costs, Kidepo is generally more expensive than other Ugandan parks. Lodges are few and range from comfortable tented camps to simple bandas. Book a few months ahead.