Home » NATURE WALKS IN KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK
NATURE WALKS IN KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK
Nature walks are one of the outdoor activities where individuals walk in the environment to observe and appreciate the surrounding flora, flora and stunning landscapes.
Hiking/Nature Walks in Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the Uganda national parks with vast, beautiful scenery and is full to the brim. To many travelers on a Uganda safaris, Kidepo has the exact features of the authentic African wilderness.
Kidepo Valley NP is Uganda’s remote park in the northeast corner of Kabong District, near Uganda’s border with South Sudan.
This park, which is considered one of East Africa’s great wildernesses, was established in 1958, and it covers an area of about 1442 km² between 914m and 2750m above sea level.
It is considered East Africa’s great wilderness because of its untouched vast landscapes, abundant wild creatures, and low visitor numbers, offering a unique and remote safari experience. It is one of the two game parks where visitors can get out of the safari vehicles and explore the vast savanna on foot on a nature walk.
Kidepo Valley NP is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers alike. The park’s wildlife species include lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffalo, and others.
Kidepo NP is also one of the three places where cheetahs can be found. Other places include Pian Upe Game Reserve and the northern parts of Murchison Falls National Park.
Flat plains in scenic landscapes and land features where beautiful wild animals spread into all corners of the grasslands and mingle at will.
Visitors on Uganda hiking safaris in Kidepo Park can walk along the splendid Kidepo River Valley between the banks of the attractive Borassus palm forest. Namamkweny Valley can be reached in one hour from Apoka.
There is also a hike to Kanangorok Hot Springs, which is just 11 km from the river. This hot spring holds temperatures of over 500°C. At the hot spring, expect to find some locals who believe that the hot spring possesses some healing power.
Visitors can also meet members of the IK tribe for a cultural tour to discover the unique culture of the Ik people during prearranged hikes to the Morungule mountain range outside the park. The Morungule range, which rises from the plains to the northeast of Apoka.
Nature walking safaris start at around 7 am at the Apoka tourism office, where you can explore on foot with an experienced ranger guide escort from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The rangers will share with you the wilderness experience and all the knowledge about different plants and the way of life of the different animals you may encounter.
These helpful rangers will keep you safe and shield you from any potential animal encounters, allowing you to confidently explore the beautiful savannah. Their protective presence will give you a sense of courage and assurance as you wander through the vibrant savannah.
Short nature walks and hikes around Apoka Rest Camp provide the chance to view species such as burchell’s zebras, hartebeest, mountain reedbuck, bulbul, elephants, and reedbuck, among others.
Longer walks through the open grasslands of the Eastern Kakine circuit (East Kakine) provide sightings of Rothschild giraffe, buffalo, elephant, and perhaps distant lions.
Visitors can also explore part or all of the 15km Rionomoe Trail on the southern side of the Narus valley. The Narus valley gives you a clear panoramic view of the Kidepo plains onto the Morungole mountain ranges. This nature walk also requires guides.
Another nature hike is a walk to Namamukweny Valley. Many visitors to this destination abandon their safari vehicles to roam the expansive plains and even get their toes wet in the sandy river remains.
Lonyilli Mountain is situated near the park on the border of Southern Sudan and is one of the great places ideal for nature walks and mountain hiking. The mountain provides striking views of the splendid mountain forest canopy and an overview of the Kidepo valley and Southern Sudan in the far distance.
The magnificent mountain is largely covered by montane forest, making it a habitat for a significant number of primates, such as red-tailed and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Other Activities in Kidepo NP
There are many other tourist activities that visitors can actively get involved in. These include.
The park is a birders’ haven, showcasing various bird species that are more than 475 avian, including the abyssinian roller, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white crested turaco, clapperton’s francolin, kori bustard, common ostrich, secretary bird, Singing Bush Lark, Red-winged Lark, and others.
These safari drives involve navigating the park’s rugged terrain on a 4X4 safari vehicle to spot the different animals and stunning landscapes.
Guided Nature Walks Fees in Kidepo Valley National Park
- US$20—Foreign Non-Resident Visitors
- US$15—Foreign Resident Visitors
- UGX 10,000—East African citizens
Kidepo Lonyili Summit Hike Fees
- US$50—Foreign non-resident and foreign Resident Visitors
- UGX 50,000—East African Citizens
How To Get to Kidepo NP
Kidepo Valley NP, which is located in the northeast corner of Kabong district, can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
By Road Transport
For visitors traveling by road, there are four routes to use. These include
- A route from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, and then to the park headquarters. This route takes about a 12-hour drive. The distance here is 740 km.
- A route from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum, and then to the park headquarters, which takes about 10 hours of driving. This is only 571 km from Kampala, and it is considered to be the most popular and easiest route.
Although this route is popular, whether to use it depends on the traveler’s itinerary.
- A route from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Matany, Kotido, Kabong, and then to the park headquarters, which takes about a 13-hour drive. This journey is 780km.
- A route from Kampala via Karuma, Lira, Kotido, Kabong, and then to Kidepo park headquarters, which takes about a 12-hour drive. This journey is 705 km.
By Air Transport
Kidepo Valley can still be accessed by air when you book charter flights or scheduled flights with Aero Link Uganda or Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Apoka airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Air flights to Kidepo Valley NP must be booked in advance since there is a specific number of travelers carried per flight at a particular time. The minimum number of people to carry per flight is 4 people, according to the civil aviation authority.
A flight from Entebbe Airport to Apoka airstrip takes about 2 hours, and its location in the park makes it the most convenient option.
What To Pack for A Nature Walk in Kidepo National Park?
The following are some of the things essential to pack when preparing for a nature trail.
- A pair of safari shorts
- Hiking shoes and socks
- Light tops in dull colors,
- a safari hat or cap to protect you from the scorching sun.
- Sunglasses to protect you from direct sun rays
- Rain gear during the rainy season
- Carry drinking water and snacks.
- Insect repellant to protect you from insect bites
- Sun scream
- Binoculars to spot animals from a far distance
- A camera to capture memorable moments.
- A map and a compass for clear directions
- Guidebook and first aid kit
Where To Stay Near Kidepo Valley NP
The accommodation in Kidepo valley national park include safari camps, hotels, and safari lodges near the park. These range from budget, mid-range, to luxury options.
These include UWA Bandas and Apoka Rest Camp, among others. Accommodation fees here range from 90-100 dollars a night per person.
These include Nga Moru Wilderness Camp, Adere Safari Lodge, and Kidepo Savannah Lodge, among others. These charge around 100-200 dollars a night per person.
These include options like Apoka Safari Lodge, among others. These charge around 200-400 dollars a night per person.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Kidepo National Park?
The best time to visit Kidepo NP for nature walks and outdoor activities is during the dry season. This season runs from December to February and from June to October.
It is considered the right time because the roads leading to the park to enjoy exciting activities, such as hiking, are dry. During this time, the vegetation in the park also thins, which makes wildlife viewing easy when on hiking safaris or a game drive.
It is the right time to observe animals converging at the different water points, which is not the case with the wet season that runs from March to May and from October to November. However, the park is open for wildlife safaris in Uganda throughout the year.
Nature Walks in Kidepo Valley National Park (FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Kidepo Valley Famous For?
Kidepo NP is Uganda’s most isolated game park, famous for its untouched, stunning wilderness. The park harbors diverse flora and fauna in its vast savanna and other landscapes.
Why Are Crocodiles Not Found in Kidepo National Park?
There are no crocodiles because the park lies in the arid areas of the Karamoja region, and the arid climate of the place does not favor the survival of crocodiles.
What Is the Most Visited Game Park in Uganda?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited game park, and it is most famous for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and easy accessibility.
Why Is Kidepo Valley National Park Rarely Visited?
Kidepo Valley NP is rarely visited primarily due to its remote location, which requires long and challenging journeys to reach, and also due to past security concerns and limited tourist infrastructure.
What Is the Vegetation in Kidepo National Park?
The park has many species of plants, including acacia woodlands, short red oat grass, Guinea grass, and perennial grasses like Themeda, Chloris, Panicum, and Setaria, among other plant species.
Ready for an amazing adventure in Uganda? Explore the beauty of Kidepo National Park with hiking safaris. Get ready to immerse yourself in the untouched wilderness of the park for an unforgettable experience.
