Top Things to do in Kidepo Velley National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most thrilling safari destinations in Uganda, situated in the far northeastern region of Uganda. It’s one of the most remote safari destinations and the least visited park in the country, yet it’s a rewarding destination for tourists. Kidepo Valley National Park is the third largest park covering an area of about 1,442 square kilometers. It was gazetted as a national park in 1962, and it was named after the Kidepo River, which is a seasonal river and flows through the park to South Sudan. It has a mix of ecosystems, which include wetlands, savannah grasslands, acacia woodlands, and rolling hills, which act as a habitat to various birds and animal species. It is home to over 80 mammal species and 480 bird species, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. This blog will discuss the top things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park while on your safari, which include bird watching, game drives, nature walks, cultural encounters and walking safaris. All these activities provide unique safari experiences in Africa’s true wilderness.
Top Things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Bird watching.
This is one of the interesting activities to do in Kidepo National Park that gives bird enthusiasts a chance to explore the park’s rich birdlife. It’s home to over 480 bird species, such as migratory birds, savannah birds, birds of prey and the park’s endemic species. Bird watching in Kidepo is enjoyed during the morning and late afternoon hours when birds are most active. This is a guided activity led by a knowledgeable park birder who gives important information about the bird species that they may encounter in the park. Some of the bird species to spot include Crested Francolin, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, African Grey Hornbill, Jackson’s Hornbill, Northern Red-billed Hornbill, Olive Bee-eater, Common Reed Warbler, White-throated Bee-eater, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Secretary Birds, Northern Camine bee-eaters, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Purple Heron, Clapperton’s Francolin, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Egyptian Goose, Garganey, Ring-necked Francolin, Orange River Francolin, Blue Quail, Harlequin Quail, Common Quail, Clapperton’s Spurfowl, Red-necked Spurfowl, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Speckled Pigeon, Mourning Collared-Dove, Lemon Dove, Dusky Turtle-Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Vinaceous Dove, Laughing Dove, Ring-necked Dove, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Namaqua Dove, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Little Swift, Common Swift, Horus Swift, African Palm Swift, Buff-spotted Flufftail, White-spotted Flufftail, African Rail, Lesser Moorhen, Allen’s Gallinule, Black Crake, Eurasian Moorhen.
Game Drives
Game drives are among the top things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park, where visitors have an opportunity to explore the park’s scenic views and its rich wildlife and bird species. The park offers morning game drives, evening game drives and night games. All these are guided game drives led by a knowledgeable park guide who identifies and gives more insights about the birds and the wildlife species encountered. Visitors will enjoy the stunning views of the park and watch various animals and birds on their safaris, which include lions, caracals, cheetahs, zebras, elands, hyenas, giraffes, leopards, bat-eared foxes, elephants, buffalo, Uganda Kobs, Secretary Birds, Northern Camine bee-eaters, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Purple Heron, Clapperton’s Francolin, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Egyptian Goose, Garganey, Ring-necked Francolin, Orange River Francolin, and more.
Nature Walks
Nature walks are rewarding activities in Kidepo Valley National Park that give travellers a chance to explore the park’s wonders on foot. These are guided activities led by an armed park ranger who protects the participants and an experienced park guide who gives more insights about the park inhabitants that you might encounter. These are best enjoyed in the morning or late afternoon hours when temperatures are cool. The park has various areas suitable for nature walks, like Kidepo Valley, Narus Valley, and areas around Apoka Rest Camp. Visitors will enjoy the stunning views of the park, see animals and birds like giraffes, zebras, elands, Uganda Kobs, herds of elephants and more.
Best Time to Visit the Park.
The park can be visited throughout the year, and the best time preferred by most travellers is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. During this season, the park receives little to no rainfall, the vegetation cover is short, and the tracks are dry, making it easy to penetrate it in search of wildlife species. However, visitors can visit the park during the wet season, which runs from October to November and March to May. The park receives abundant rainfall, the tracks are muddy and slippery, making it challenging to penetrate the park.
