KIDEPO NATIONAL PARK RANKED AMONG THE TOP 8 SAFARI DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA

A fact that very many splendid protected areas exist in Africa and the world at large, making the best choice on which destination for one to have lifetime experience becomes a big challenge. However, for many years, Kidepo Valley National Park has featured and still ranked among a few exceptional safari destinations in Africa and no wonder it has once again featured among the best 8 (eight) safari destinations in this continent. It featured in the CNN ranking and it is remarkably a few national parks with the most splendid sceneries. It is the most isolated park in Uganda and if your dream has always been to have authentic travel experience then take a tour to this beautiful protected area and you will be guaranteed. This park boasts of its extensive plains of Kidepo and Narus Valley which are over shadowed by the mountain scapes of the Morungole-a home to endangered Ik people. Besides, its sceneries are very appealing and in fact worth to be the most beautiful park in the continent. It was ranked together with the Zimbabwe’s Hangwe National Park, Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Kalahari Desert, Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park and Etosha National Park in Namibia.

In addition, it boasts of its diverse tourist attractions including more than 77 mammal species, 475 avian species that make it also the second destination with the highest number of birds just after Queen Elizabeth National Park. The rare birds that live in this park include the black breasted barbet and Karamoja apalis. Others include the little weaver, Silverbird and small band of yellow billed shrike, Nubian woodpecker, mosque swallow, superb and Ruppell’s starlings, vinaceous dove, ostriches, long tailed and standard winged night jar, Egyptian vultures, pygmy falcons, Verreaux’s eagle, Kori bustards, Abyssinian and Rufous crowned rollers, yellow rumped seed eater, broad tailed warblers, crimson rumped waxbill a mention but a few. Its faunal species include African lions, leopards, African elephants, bushbucks, elands, Rothschild giraffes, side striped jackals, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, bat eared fox, klipspringer and others. This park is good for game drives, hiking, birding, nature walks, community walks and many more. If you are on safari and you feel Kidepo isn’t enough then Murchison Falls National park should be a must to visit where you will be amazed by the powerful roar of dramatic Murchison falls, embark on wildlife safari to see its big game and several savanna grassland wildlife species or launch cruise to catch a glimpse at numerous crocodiles, hippos and aquatic bird species. Besides, Uganda has for long been regarded and still a destination where you find all that Africa has to offer. It is the perfect destination for ape watching especially mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo forest reserve, Kibale forest national park and many other areas.

Getting to Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park can be reached both by road and by air. By road, you will drive from Kampala through Lira, Kotido, Kaabong and then you connect to the park and this covers about 705 kilometers. You can also drive from Kampala through Mbale, Soroti, Matany, Kaabong and then to Kidepo national park. The other route takes you from Kampala via Gulu, Kitgum and then to the park. To reach this park, you will need to hire a four wheel drive safari vehicle to help you navigate through the remotest routes that lead visitors to the park. By air, you can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and then land into Lomej airstrip which is next to the park headquarters. On flight, you will spend about 2 hours compared to about 10 to 12 hours’ drive on road.

Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park

The available accommodation options for visitor overnight stay at this park include Apoka safari lodge, Apoka hostel and Apoka rest camp.

In conclusion, Kidepo Valley National Park is undoubtedly a wilderness area with hidden gem for you to explore while on safari in Uganda. Due to its wilderness, it is that one tourist destination that rewards travel endeavors with true African experiences.