WHY VISIT KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

There are a million reasons why you should consider Kidepo Valley National Park a must-visit destination on Uganda safari. Kidepo Valley National Park is set suitably in the extreme Northeastern Uganda in the semi-arid area. It was established in 1962 and it sits in an area of about 1442sq.kms featuring largely a vast savanna grassland, wetlands, valleys and dotted forest cover. A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park on Uganda safari gets you out of the usual destinations. In 2017, this park was ranked as the third best safari park in Africa by CNN. It is a magical safari destination to explore especially if you are interested in unusual wilderness experiences in Africa.

Reasons why you should visit Kidepo Valley National Park

Abundant wildlife

One of the reasons why you should visit Kidepo Valley National Park is to explore its diverse wildlife and unique flora. Kidepo Valley National Park is undoubtedly one of Uganda’s premier safari destinations. It is the best destination to visit in East Africa for game viewing given its huge concentration of wildlife. A game viewing safari in Kidepo National Park involves you exploring its diverse wildlife species including among others the African bush elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, cheetahs, jackals, zebras, duikers, Jackson hartebeests, elands, mountain reed bucks, patas monkeys, Uganda kobs to mention but a few. It also prides itself as a home to distinct floral species including Borassus palms, sausage trees, acacia, savannas.

Kidepo’s diverse wildlife is best explored on a morning game drive, afternoon or even evening game drive. The key areas to embark on game viewing in Kidepo Valley National Park include the Narus Valley which is known its huge concentration of wildlife and the other is Kidepo Valley which is credited for its distinct landscape.

Birds

Interested in bird watching? Kidepo Valley National Park should be a must-visit safari destination when it comes to bird watching. This park boasts of its over 475 different bird species which makes it one of the premier birding destinations in Uganda. Birding in Kidepo Valley National Park is perfectly conducted along the Narus and Namamukweny Valleys as well as Apoka area. The different birds to identify on Uganda safari in Kidepo Valley National Park include among other Karamoja apalis, purple grenadier, purple heron, red throated bee-eaters, rufous chatterer, white bellied go away bird, pygmy falcon, rose ringed parakeet, greater kestrel, golden pipit, ostriches, Clapperton’s francolins, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Abyssinian rollers, pygmy falcon, Egyptian vulture, black breasted barbet, lammergeyer, Neophron. For migratory birds, Kidepo National Park is best to visit from November to April.

The unique culture

A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park isn’t only about exploring its diverse wildlife but also for you to experience the unique culture. About 2 tribes exist around Kidepo Valley National Park-the Karamojong and the IK people, each offering a distinct cultural experience to visitors on Uganda safari in Kidepo Valley National Park. Get to learn in depth about the different traditions and cultural practices as well as interact with the IK and Karamojong.

Exceptional landscape

Kidepo Valley National Park is popular for its picturesque landscape which makes it an exceptional destination. It boasts of its vast plains which offer visitors a chance to view diverse wildlife. Besides, visit the bubbling Kanangorok hot springs which denote a place of black stones simmers away. These hot springs are found close to the South Sudan border area and mostly credited for their healing power especially on skin diseases.

In summary, with the above reasons consider Kidepo Valley National Park a must-visit destination on your Uganda safari holiday.