Kidepo Valley National Park is a 1,442 square kilometres national park in the Karamoja region in northeast Uganda. Kidepo is rugged savannah, dominated by the 2,750 metres Mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus rivers.
Kidepo Valley National Park is among the finest Uganda birding safari destinations. It features a bird list of more than 475 species, and as well ranks second in position to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On this list are dry eastern ” specials” are some endemics as well as East Africa’s most uncommon yet highly sought after species like the Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apallis.
The vegetation in Kidepo is mainly open tree Savannah grassland that differs mainly in composition plus structure. The park is mainly dominated by the Mountain forests within the high areas while areas around River Lorupei are heavily blanketed by acacia forest. The game plus vegetation in the park are rather more characteristic of Kenya than Uganda. Within the park, the terrain is dotted with tiny hills, inselbergs plus rocky outcrops which jointly make Kidepo a very unique Uganda safari destination.
Kidepo National Park has over and offer rewarded its visitors life memories to its visitors especially birders from all parts of the world particularly because of her great diversity of birds among which are Ostriches.
The Silverbird plus small bands of the Yellow-billed Shrike are some of the stunning species commonly spotted in the thorny trees close to the camp. At the rim of the camp is a tinny permanent water-hole which attracts a y of bird species such as the Yellow-rumped Seedeater.
What to do there:
Game Drives:
Kidepo National Park supports a wonderful variety of animal species in comparison to other parks. Back in 1971, of the 80 mammal species of recorded 28 were not known to be found in any other parks in Uganda. Among the resident Carnivore species only endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region are the hunting dog, bat-eared fox, cheetah, striped hyena, caracal, and aardwolf. During the Rule of Idi Amin, this Kidepo Park suffered severe poaching and up to date it is still recovering from that tragedy that left some species completely depleted.
Hiking:
Hiking is normally conducted just a couple of Kilometers from the headquarters of the park on the on Lamoj Mountains.
Cultural Performances:
There is a local cultural group of entertainers who are at all times ready to perform on request.
Nature Walks:
Enhance your knowledge on the African culture as you visit the Karimajong homesteads which are locally referred to as manyattas and maybe the kraals to view their traditional costumes, jewelry, stools, bows & arrows, spears headdress plus knives.