Best Time to Visit Kidepo Valley National Park.
Are you planning your dream safari to Uganda’s unspoiled park destination and wondering about the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park. This blog will help you choose the appropriate option to have a safari in the park. Kidepo National Park is situated in the northeastern corner of Uganda, bordering South Sudan and Kenya. It’s one of the least explored national parks in the country, yet rewarding. It’s the third largest park, spanning an area of approximately 1,442 square kilometers and it was established as a national park in 1962 after Uganda gained its independence. The park is celebrated for hosting the highest number of buffalo in Uganda, over 11,000 individuals, and it has a rich biodiversity.
It hosts up to 490 bird species, such as birds of prey, the park’s endemic species, savannah birds, waterbirds and savannah birds. It also has over 80 mammal species, including 28 species which are only found in Kidepo in the whole country, like caracals, cheetahs, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, striped hyenas, greater kudus, dikdiks, and more. The park’s rich biodiversity contributes to its unique safari activities that attract various travellers to immerse themselves in nature. Kidepo Valley National Park is open throughout the year, and the best time to visit the park is determined by an individual’s travel plans. Just like all other parks in East Africa, it experiences two seasons: the dry season and the wet season, both of which provide unforgettable safari experiences.
Best Time to Visit Kidepo Valley National Park.
Dry Season.
The dry season is the most loved period of the year by most travellers visiting Kidepo Valley National Park. This season runs from December to February and from June to September. During this period, the park receives no to little rainfall, the tracks are less muddy and slippery, making it easy to penetrate the park. The vegetation cover is thin and scattered, which creates clear views of enjoying birds and wildlife species in the park. During the dry season, animals concentrate around the water bodies in Narus Valley, and game drives and nature walks are best done in this region during this period. Visitors should be prepared that during this period the park is always hot and they should carry light clothes on their safari.
Wet Season.
This season is from October to November and March to May, which is characterised by enough rainfall; the park is muddy and slippery, making penetration of the park challenging. The vegetation cover is tall and dense, which makes viewing animals from a distance challenging and taking clear pictures. During this period, can enjoy game drives and nature walks in both Kidepo Valley and Narus Valley. Bird lovers find the wet season to be the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park for birding safaris. This is the breeding period for many bird species, and migratory birds always come to the park in this season. They run away from Europe due to harsh weather conditions and in search of food. The availability of abundant food in the park during this season prevents birds from going deep into the park in search of food, making bird watching easy and memorable. This season also favours budget travellers as accommodations and travel agencies give discounts during this season.
