Best Safari Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park | Uganda Tours

Discover the best safari activities in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda’s finest savanna protected area.

Located in northeastern Uganda’s Karamoja circuit, Kidepo is the 3rd-largest park, covering 1442 sq. km. A Kidepo Valley National Park safari offers nature enthusiasts a range of amazing experiences.

Each of the Kidepo Valley National Park activities rewards tourists with incredible encounters with the park’s abundant wildlife.

Kidepo alone protects wildlife such as African bush elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, lions, leopards, Jackson’s hartebeest, elands, bat-eared foxes, zebras, Rothschild giraffes, oribis, and Klipspringers, plus 475 species of birds.

Top Kidepo Valley National Park Activities to Do

The amazing things to expect to do on a Uganda safari in Kidepo National Park include game drives, birding, hiking/nature walks, cultural visits, and cycling.

Game drives

Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park are a perfect way to embark on ultimate immersion into the uncrowded wilderness.

Kidepo is known for its authentic wilderness experiences, and visitors can engage in a guided game drive along the different trails.

The main game viewing trails to expect to explore on a game drive in Kidepo include Narus Valley on the Southern edge of the park.

The Narus circuit of Kidepo is famous for its exceptional wildlife sightings, including giraffes, elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, and more.

It is along the Narus Valley where permanent water sources exist, thus attracting huge concentrations of wildlife.

The Kidepo Valley and Kanangorok Hotsprings trail takes you to the Northern circuit of Kidepo National Park.

Guided game drives along these wildlife tracks in Kidepo allow you to explore mostly ostriches and also visit the seasonal Kidepo River.

Kidepo offers different game drive schedules, including morning sessions, afternoon or evening drives, and night game drives.

The morning game drive in Kidepo begins at 6:00 am and is an ideal period to enjoy sightings of the predators and many other animals as they become active for the day.

Afternoon game drives begin at around 2:00 pm or even 3 or 4 pm. It is a perfect session to enjoy sightings of Kidepo’s wildlife as they return to their resting spots.

Night game drives offer excellent sightings of nocturnal species, including hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, and bat-eared foxes.

When it comes to game drives/wildlife viewing in Kidepo, you need a sturdy 4×4 vehicle to help you navigate through the park’s game tracks with ease.

Visitors are also required to have paid the park entry fees in order to have access.

Birding

Kidepo is one of the amazing places in Uganda with an abundant bird population.

Over 475 bird species exist in Kidepo Valley National Park alone and include savannah species, migratory, Somali-Masai biome, and forest bird species.

The birds expected to be spotted in the charming Kidepo include Clapperton francolins, fox kestrel, purple grenadier, Abyssinian ground hornbills, red-billed oxpeckers, black-breasted barbet, and white-bellied go-away bird, etc.

Nature walks

Kidepo features a unique landscape worth exploring on guided hikes or nature walks.

The key areas to consider for nature walks in Kidepo include Kakine Circuit, Narus Valley, Namamukweny, and more.

During the guided nature walk in Kidepo National Park, expect to come across many wildlife, especially antelope families.

Hiking

Kidepo’s landscape is characterized by not only vast savannahs but also beautiful mountains.

Hikers can embark on a mountain trek through Mount Morungole (2750m) and Lomej Mountain. Short hikes can be enjoyed along the Narus and Kidepo Valley.

The hikes can be conducted with the guidance of an experienced park ranger guide.

Visitors interested in guided hiking adventures in Kidepo Valley National Park can consider packing adequate drinking water, hiking boots, insect repellents, and comfortable clothes.

Accommodation

While on a Kidepo Valley National Park safari, expect to retire for a night at the Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, and Kidepo Savannah Lodge.

Getting to Kidepo, Uganda

Kidepo National Park can be safely reached from Kampala via the Gulu-Kitgum route, about 10 hours’ drive.

Or Kampala via the Kotido-Kaabong route, about a 12-hour drive. You can also depart from Kampala and drive via the Mbale-Moroto route to Kidepo and reach the park in about 12 hours’ drive.

By air, book a fly-in safari through Flawless Adventure Planners and connect to Kidepo with ease.

It can take you about 2 hours on a flight to reach Kidepo using Aero Link Uganda, starting from Entebbe International Airport (EBB).