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Narus Valley in Kidepo Valley National Park
Narus Valley of Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the best places to visit by tourists on Uganda wildlife safaris in Kidepo Park. This beautiful area is between the Kidepo Valley plains and the Mountain Morungole plains.
The fact that Narus Valley holds the permanent water sources in Kidepo National Park means it’s a habitat for most game animals in this beautiful park. Narus River, a water hole, as well as Narus Dam, are the main water points within Kidepo and these attract many game animals around, including grazers and predators.
Some of the common animal species in Narus Valley include large herds of Zebras, Elephants, Cheetahs, Topis, Elands, Giraffes, Hartebeests, Hyenas, Leopards, Giraffes, and Lions, to mention but a few.
On your visit in Kidepo Narus Valley area, you can enjoy game drives, nature walks, and even bird-watching expeditions since the area holds an array of birds, for instance the black-breasted barbet, Karamoja Apalis, yellow-billed hornbill, Secretary bird, etc.
Tourists on Uganda wildlife tours can explore Kidepo’s Narus Valley any time of the year but, for the best game viewing experience, target the dry months.
Popular Tourist Attractions in Narus Valley
There are many things to see in Narus Valley by visitors on game viewing tours in Kidepo Valley National Park, including most of the African safari Big five animals as well as birds.
Below is a detail of the attractions in Kidepo’s Narus Valley:
Game Animals
Since the Narus Valley is rich in both water and food, it is home to a wide variety of game animals. Kidepo safari goers on wildlife tours in Kidepo are likely to see a wide variety of game animals.
The most common animal species spotted in the beautiful golden savannahs dotted with acacia trees include zebras, big herds of Cape Buffalos, elephants, cheetahs, lions, bat-eared foxes, topis, warthogs, Jackson’s hartebeests, and spotted hyenas, to mention but a few.
The best way to spot all the mentioned wildlife is going for a game drive. In most cases, wild animals are encountered around water sources and lions are usually common in areas with rock outcrops.
Bird Species
Narus Valley is the best place for spotting bird species in Kidepo Valley National Park. Within the Kidepo protected area, over 450 bird species have been recorded and this region offers the best bird-watching experience.
Among others, avian lovers in the Narus area will spot species of birds such as African jacana, Kori bustards, secretary bird, Karamoja Apalis, Abyssinian ground hornbill, superb starling, black-breasted barbet, little weaver, singing bush lark, white bellied go away bird, etc. Visitors can spot the black coucal in the rainy season.
The Narus River
Animal species in Kidepo Park rely on the River Narus as the main water source point. Unlike the Kidepo River, the Narus River provides water to the park year-round; it doesn’t dry out completely.
This river flows into the park from the northwest and is a tributary of Lake Turkana. In the valley’s ecology, it’s crucial.
This river and its environs are the best places to see wildlife during the dry season during game viewing tours in Kidepo Park, a stunning park in Uganda’s semi-desert region.
Expenses around this river are inhabited by numerous wildlife species such as zebras, cape buffalos, elephants, hyenas, Uganda kob, water bucks, warthogs, Rothschild’s giraffe, elands, oribis, and topis, among others, plus water birds.
Morungole Mountain Ranges
This mountain ranges all the way to the South Sudan border and is located at the base of the Narus Valley. Mount Morungole is home to Uganda’s tiniest cultural group, the Ik, who live on its slopes.
A physically fit hiker is required to hike Morungole’s steep trails, but a park ranger provided by the park management will lead you every step of the way on your hike.
As you explore Morungole Mountain, you will be able to see the Manyattas of the IK people and learn about their fascinating traditions & norms as you walk in their local communities.
Tourist Activities in Narus Valley of Kidepo Valley National Park
Within Narus Valley, visitors on Uganda tours in Kidepo Park can enjoy various safari expeditions, and below we have discussed these thrills for you.
i. Game Drives in Narus Valley
Due to the high concentration of game animals in the Narus area, this expanse is the main region for game viewing in Kidepo Park in the Karamoja region.
Safari vehicles can reach most parts of the valley thanks to the many game tracks in the region, allowing visitors to witness a wide variety of wildlife. During the dry season, the majority of animals can be seen drinking from the Narus Dam, especially in the afternoon hours.
On the game drive, spectacular herds of buffalos are commonly spotted around Apoka feeding in golden, rugged savannah. Lions and cheetahs are common around rock-out crops normally nearby Lomej Hills.
Tourists on the Kidepo Valley tour in this valley can do a morning game drive, an afternoon game drive, and even an evening game drive.
Kidepo game drives cost $40 for international tourists in the country of Uganda.
ii. Bird Watching in Narus Valley
The biggest number of birds in Kidepo Valley National Park can be spotted within the Narus game area.
In some areas, visitors are only limited to safari drives but guided game walks are possible in some parts. Birding expeditions in this valley are mostly done with a local birding guide who holds extensive knowledge about the birds in this protected area.
On your bird checklist for Kidepo, be expected to see: white-billed buffalo, red-billed Oxpecker, Black-breasted barbet, Marsh Tchagra, Singing bush lark, Chanting goshawk, Clapperton’s francolin, Straw-tailed whydahs, Secretary bird, Bateleur, Fan-tailed raven, Meyer’s parrot, Vivacious bird, Yellow-billed hornbill, Pygmy falcon, Silver shrike, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Yellow-billed Shrike, etc.
For a wonderful birding experience in Narus, birders should have binoculars, cameras, and walking boots. If you are to have a whole-day bird-watching adventure, get a packed lunch from your lodge.
The cost of bird watching in Kidepo Narus Valley is $40 for international tourists.
iii. Enjoy Guided Game Walks
Guided nature walks are possible in Narus Valley of Kidepo Valley National Park. While on this adventure, travelers will enjoy close-up encounters with the amazing fauna and flora in Kidepo park.
This thrilling walk is led by an armed ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority so you’ll be safe.
Visitors on the hike have a wonderful opportunity to spot wildlife such as zebras, cape buffalos, elephants, antelopes, Rothschild’s giraffe, bat-eared fox, olive baboons, and beautiful unique bird species. You will also have views of the Narus Valley and even Morungole Mountain.
Hikes to Morungole Mountain offer breathtaking views of the park and even the surrounding areas of this wonderful park holding two valleys.
What to Park for Uganda Safari in Kidepo Valley National Park Narus Valley?
An adventure to explore Narus Valley in Kidepo National Park is part of Uganda wildlife safaris in Kidepo Park, Uganda’s isolated national park. Therefore, this packing list is not different from any other game-viewing thrill in this country.
These very ones can work even on wildlife safaris in Tanzania and Kenya.
Here is what you need for a remarkable wildlife viewing tour in the Kidepo Narus game area:
- A nice camera for photography
- Safari hat: this region in country Uganda receives much shine; therefore, a safari hat will be of help to you.
- Binoculars
- Insect repellents
- Safari walking boots
- Environmentally friendly safari clothes
- Travel documents
- Personal toiletries
- Simple day pack bag
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Personal medications for emergencies
Best Time to Visit Kidepo National Park Narus Valley
From extensive experience in tailoring Uganda wildlife safari tours in various national parks, Narus Valley in Kidepo Park is open to visitors year-round despite the fact that it’s in a semi-desert. However, visitors should note that the dry months offer the best game viewing expeditions.
Being an area with semi-arid conditions in the north-eastern part of Uganda, the dry months in Kidepo run from September to March. Kidepo’s wet season is from April-August and normally during this time, the temperatures are pleasant and the scenery is great for photography.
Other Attractions in Kidepo Park to Explore
These include:
- Kanangorok Hot Springs: Kanangorok Hot Springs is the only hot spring in Karamoja region.
- The Karamojong people
- Namamukweny Valley—the vegetation and animal populations in this area are wonderful.
- Lonyili Mountain
- Lomej Hills
- Apoka Tourism Centre
- Ostriches. It’s possible to spot ostriches also in Pian Upe Game Reserve.
How to Get to Kidepo Narus Valley?
Kidepo Valley National Park has two main access points (gates). Among these are the Lokumoit gate and the Apoka gate, which are near the park headquarters. The other gates include Lopi, Lotukei, Kalokudu, and Nataruk.
Through all these gates, you can easily access this valley for a game drive in Kidepo Park, a scenic park situated in Uganda’s semi-arid valleys on borders with South Sudan & Kenya.
From Kampala, Uganda’s capital, it is about 628 km by road to this park. If you don’t love long drives, it’s possible to take a chartered flight to this protected area.
Best Lodges in Kidepo National Park for Tourists Exploring Narus Valley
Visitors on Uganda safari tours in northern Uganda—Kidepo Valley NP—have various options for accommodation as they explore the Narus game area. Safari lodges in Kidepo welcome every class of traveler, budget, and even those tourists on luxury Uganda safaris.
The following are the common lodges in Kidepo Park, a lovely park managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority:
Apoka Safari Lodge
Apoka Lodge is a wonderful luxury facility built around a beautiful rock outcrop overlooking Kidepo’s Narus Valley. Its cozy rooms hold canvas walls, thatched roofs, as well as massive outdoor rock tubs ideal for spending a day overlooking the incredible beauty of the park with open tree savannah vegetation featuring Guinea grass & sausage trees.
A massive swimming pool carved from the rock face serves as the showpiece of Apoka, inviting visitors to dive in with yelps and screams of delight.
Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Situated on the edge of Kidepo Park, Kidepo Savannah Lodge is a lovely, comfortable standard facility for travelers. This lodge has the best views of the Narus Valley, Mount Morungole, and the faraway mountain ranges that form the border with South Sudan.
Kidepo Savannah Lodge has 12 beautifully decorated safari tents that are set up on high decks. Each of the large tents has its own private verandah with a view of the vast grassland.
Adere Safari Lodges
Adere Safari Lodge is among the best luxury lodges for tourists on Uganda safaris in Kidepo Park. It features twenty separate chalets, each with a grass-thatched roof and gorgeous furnishings, which are available to visitors, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury.
A king-size bed and a mosquito net are standard in each room. The views from your own balcony have the potential to be quite stunning. For the convenience of business travelers, this lodge features a spa, steam bath, sauna, and a business center.
Other accommodation facilities in Kidepo Park, a beautiful park bordering South Sudan;
- Apoka Rest Camp
- Nga Moru Wilderness Camp
- Kara-Tunga Safari Camp
To summarize, wildlife safari tours in Kidepo Park are incomplete without exploring Narus Valley, the main area to spot wildlife in Kidepo Valley National Park. Within this beautiful area, tourists will enjoy safari drives, game walks, Mountain Morungole hikes, and even bird-watching adventures.
The lovely scenery of this area is incomparable to other national parks in Africa; however, it can be only matched with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and even Masai Mara in Kenya.
