The Lonyiri nature walks in Kidepo National Park are one of the best activities any traveller should not miss when on a Uganda safari.

Kidepo Valley National Park is known worldwide for its stunning beauty and great wilderness that is evident in the vast open savanna plains, valleys, rivers like the Kidepo River and Narus River, among others.

Kidepo NP is Uganda’s remote game park located in northeastern Uganda in Kaabong District, near Uganda’s border with South Sudan.

It was established in 1958, covering an area of approximately 1442 km², making it one of the largest game parks in Uganda.

This picturesque safari park offers many interesting activities, but one of the most common ones is the nature walks in Lonyiri. The Lonyiri nature walk allows visitors to discover what the park is composed of.

Detailed Overview of the Lonyiri Nature Walk 

The Lonyiri Nature Walk is a 25-kilometer walk in Kidepo Valley National Park, East Africa’s great wilderness, offering an opportunity to enjoy wildlife experiences, explore soaring mountains, and have cultural experiences with the people who settle around the park on foot.

It is a newly discovered nature walk that is designed to offer a particular pursuit to tourists who get involved in the activity.

The Lonyiri Trail is located away from the busy park, allowing for a quiet walk in the extensive sprawling savannah land.

The main idea of the Lonyiri Nature Walk is to inspire creativity and imagination in tourists through their exploration of nature. Visitors do this by creating their own guides and collections based on their discoveries.

Duration For Lonyiri Nature Walk 

The Lonyiri Nature Walk takes just eight hours to complete, depending on the starting time, and it usually starts at 7 am, right from the Apoka Tourism Office.

However, a two-day nature walk can be organized, featuring shorter guided walks through the Narus Valley extending over 10 km up to Akonya Rock.

How Are the Nature Walks Done in Lonyiri? 

The nature hike is done with the help of experienced tourist guides and Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who will protect you from the would-be attacks from animals that roam within the park.

The protective presence of rangers will give you courage as you trek through the park.

What To See While on Lonyiri Nature Walk?

When on the new Lonyiri nature hike, you will see the majestic Lonyili Mountain that is situated in Kitgum District near the border of South Sudan, which also offers interesting mountain climbing experiences.

Ascending the mountain’s summit offers breathtaking views of the montane forest canopy, the Kidepo Valley, and South Sudan from afar.

You will see primates like olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, among others, as you hike the mountain.

Several mammal species living in the park that may be spotted on a nature stroll, including bush baby, lions, wild pigs, elephants, mountain bushbucks, great buffalo herds, and elusive cheetahs (the fastest land animal but also the weakest mammal), and many others.

With the very impressive bird list of over 470 species, Kidepo Valley National Park has the second highest population of any Ugandan reserve or game park, and some of these bird species reside in Lonyiri.

The 25km Lonyiri Nature Walk provides opportunities to see rare bird species endemic to Kidepo Valley National Park, including the Black-breasted Barbet, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Hoopoe, Mosque Swallow, superb starlings, little green bee eater, yellow billed shrike, silver bird, black breasted barbet, Red cheeked Cordon bleu, etc.

While on Lonyiri nature hikes, you will have an opportunity to discover plant species, including Afromontane trees like Podocarpus and Prunus africana.

The 25km Lonyiri Nature walk also allows participants to engage in activities such as insect observation, rock collection, and, for this reason, microscopes are used during the trek to give visitors a close look at a variety of insects.

Benefits Of the Lonyiri Nature Walk

Your reward on this nature hike is only limited by your imagination and willingness for a fitness adventure.

For those who need a psychological boost, psychologically walking in the untamed environment and having exposure to nature reduces stress and boosts well-being by reducing obsessive, negative thoughts.

Other Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park

In addition to the nature hikes, there are other activities in Kidepo Valley NP that you can participate in.

Bird Watching 

When on a birding tour to spot several bird species, the southern Narus Valley is a great spot to start bird watching in Kidepo NP.

Visitors can observe over 470 bird species in Kidepo Valley NP during nature walks, including species endemic to the park and the migratory bird species, which are present from November to April.

The park is good for spotting raptors, with 56 species recorded, including the Dark Chanting Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, and various vultures, making the valley one of the best destinations for birding in Uganda.

Other bird species include Silver Bird, Yellow-billed Shrike, Vinaceous Dove, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller, Kori Bustard, superb starlings, Red-winged Lark, Common Ostrich, Black breasted Barbet, Singing Bush Lark, and others.

Game Drives

Kidepo National Park offers game drives on a 4X4 safari vehicle, allowing visitors to explore the park’s rugged terrain while witnessing the numerous wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.

The park offers day and night game drives for wildlife viewing, primarily in Narus Valley, a high-concentration area.

Cultural Tours 

Besides game drives, nature walks, and birding, Kidepo NP also provides opportunities for cultural encounters with local communities.

During the cultural encounters, you will visit the IK people, a small ethnic group that lives in the Morungole Mountains.

The IK people, once hunters and pastoralists, abandoned cattle rearing due to Karamojong cattle raids and started practicing subsistence farming, goat rearing, and honey production.

Fees Paid at Kidepo NP for Nature Walks

According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the following are the fees paid per person.

Fees for Guided Nature Walks in Lonyiri

• US$15 for Foreign Non-residents.
• US$10 for foreign residents
• UGX 10,000 for East African citizens

Kidepo Lonyili Summit Hike

• US$50 for foreign non-residents
• US$40 for foreign Resident visitors.
• UGX 50,000 for East African citizens.

How to Get to Kidepo Valley National Park for a Nature Stroll? 

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northeastern Uganda near the borders with Kenya and South Sudan, and it can be accessed by both road and air transport.

By Road Transport

Traveling to Kidepo NP by road from Kampala can take approximately 10 to 13 hours, depending on the route.

There are four routes to use to reach Kidepo Valley National Park, and they include.

1. A route from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum, and then to Apoka Tourism Center, which is the park headquarters. This route is the easiest and widely used since it is just 571 km from Kampala to Apoka Tourism Center, and the drive takes about 10 hours.

It passes via the edge of Murchison Falls National Park, the largest national park in Uganda, and you can have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

2. A route from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, and then to the park headquarters. It is a 740 km distance, which takes about a 12-hour drive.
3. A route from Kampala via Karuma, Lira, Kotido, Kabong, and then to Apoka Tourism Center. It is a journey of about 705 km, and it takes about a 2-hour drive.
4. A route from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Matany, Kotido, Kabong, and then to the park headquarters. It is a 780km journey, which takes about a 13-hour drive.

By Air Transport

By air transport, visitors can travel to Kidepo Valley National Park when they book a scheduled flight or a chartered flight with Bar Aviation or Aerolink Uganda to fly from Entebbe International Airport or from Kajjansi Airfield to Apoka Airstrip.

From Apoka Airstrip, one can then connect to Apoka Tourism Center by road.

Taking a flight is more convenient because it saves time, as domestic flights to Kidepo NP take about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Entebbe International Airport.

Best Time to Go for Nature Walks in Lonyiri 

The best time to go for a nature walk in Lonyiri is during the dry season from June to September and December to February.

During this time, the vegetation in the park thins, thereby providing an opportunity for nature lovers to spot animals, and it is the prime time for outdoor activities, nature walks, and game drives, among others.

However, the park is open year-round for visitors interested in wildlife tours in Uganda.

What to Pack for a Nature Walk in Lonyiri in Kidepo NP?

When preparing for a nature stroll or engaging in other safari activities in Kidepo NP, it is essential to pack the following items.

• A pair of safari shorts
• Sturdy hiking shoes and socks
• Light tops in dull colors,
• A cap to protect your head from the scorching sun.
• Sunglasses to protect you from direct sun rays
• Rain gear in case you travel during the rainy season
• Snacks and drinking water.
• Insect repellent to protect you from insect bites
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays
• Binoculars to spot wild animals and different bird species from a far distance
• A camera to capture the beautiful scenery and memorable moments.
• A map and a compass for clear directions within and before reaching the park
• A first aid kit that includes medication specifically for tourists with certain illnesses.

Where To Stay When on Nature Walks in Lonyiri?

There are many accommodation options around Kidepo NP to stay for a Lonyiri nature walk in Kidepo, ranging from budget to midrange to luxurious, and they include

• Apoka Safari Lodge
• Apoka Rest Camp
• Kidepo Savannah Lodge
• UWA Bandas
• Adere Safari Lodge, etc.

Visitors are advised to book their accommodation in advance due to limited options in Kidepo NP.

Lonyiri Nature Walks in Kidepo Valley National Park FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Why Is Kidepo Valley National Park Rarely Visited?

Kidepo National Park is rarely visited because of its extreme remoteness. Traveling from Kampala to Kidepo NP is considered the longest journey, irrespective of the route used.

2. What Is Kidepo National Park Known For?

Kidepo National Park is known for its stunning landscapes, including valleys, hills, vast savannahs, and it hosts untamed wild species Uganda Safaris in Kidepo memorable.

3. Why Are Crocodiles Not Found in Kidepo National Park? 

The absence of crocodiles in Kidepo NP is because the park lies in the arid areas of Karamoja, where the arid climate greatly affects their survival since they live primarily in water and occasionally on land.

4. What Is the Most Visited National Park in Uganda? 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited game park in Uganda. This is made possible by the park’s biodiversity and stunning landscapes, including the vast savannah plains, forests, crater lakes, and diverse wildlife, including the rare tree-climbing lions and numerous bird species, among others.

5. What Is the Vegetation in Kidepo National Park? 

The vegetation of Kidepo NP comprises savannah grassland and woodland dominated by acacia and perennial grasses like Chloris, Themeda, Panicum, shrubs, and Borassus palms, among others.

6. When Is the Best Time for Nature Walks in Kidepo Valley National Park? 

The best time for nature walks in the extensive shrubland of Kidepo NP is generally during Uganda’s dry seasons, from June to September and December to February.

7. Is It Safe to Visit Kidepo National Park?

Kidepo National Park, in northeastern Uganda near the border with South Sudan, is regarded as safe because park authorities implement security measures in the area.

These guarantee that the park is clear of potential insurgents who might hide in its forested parts and that the animals are protected from poaching.

Conclusion

Book a Lonyiri nature walking safari in Kidephttps://www.kideponationalparkuganda.com/contact-us/o National Park now and get an opportunity to see epic landscapes like Mt. Morungole, Narus Valley, and diverse wildlife. Add other interesting activities like birding, game drives, and cultural tours to make this Uganda safari memorable.