What to do in Kidepo Valley National Park.
What to do in Kidepo Valley National Park is a frequently asked question by travellers planning to visit the park, and this blog will talk about the most do activities while on your dream safari in the park. Kidepo Valley National Park is an untouched wilderness paradise in Uganda, situated in the northeastern corner of the country, spanning an area of about 1,442 square kilometers. It was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1958, and it was declared as a national park in 1962 with the aim of protecting the Big game that existed by that time. It got its name from the River Kidepo, which is a dry river that flows through the park to the River Nile in South Sudan for a few hours and leaves behind white sand.
Kidepo is home to the fastest mammals, the Cheetahs, which are only found in the park in Uganda. The park is home to over 480 bird species, such as the water birds, savannah birds, migratory birds and the park’s endemic species, and it has up to 77 mammal species, including over 28 species which are only found here in Uganda. The park’s mammal species include cheetahs, caracals, Kudus, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, Uganda Kobs, hyenas, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves and more. The park offers various activities for all travellers, which cater to all their needs, whether you are looking for bird watching experiences or simply connecting with nature. Kidepo Valley National Park must be added to your bucket list.
Things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Game Drives.
Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park are one of the best activities that travellers can do on their safari in the park. They start with a briefing at the park’s office about the rules and regulations of the park. This is a guided activity led by an experienced tour guide who gives more insights about the park’s wildlife and bird species that you might encounter. Visitors can do morning game drives, which give them a chance to see early risers like predators when they are roaming around the park or with their prey. The evening game drives allow travellers to see animals when they are concluding their day, and the night game drives give great opportunities of spotting nocturnal animals, which rest during the day and are most active at night, like leopards, hyenas, bush babies and more. While on game drives, visitors will see various animals like elephants, buffalo, lions, zebras, caracals, cheetahs, kudus, Uganda Kobs, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, leopards and more. Bird lovers will enjoy the melodic songs and sounds of various bird species like Common Ostrich, African Pygmy-Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Helmeted Guineafowl, Western Crested Guineafowl, Stone Partridge, Crested Francolin, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, and more.
Bird Watching.
Bird watching is one of the best things that bird enthusiasts and ornithologists can do in Kidepo Valley National Park. This activity is led by a knowledgeable park birder who assists visitors in identifying the beautiful songs and sounds of unique bird species found in the park, and also gives more in-depth information about the bird species that they encounter. Birding is best done in areas around the Narus Valley, Kidepo Valley and Apoka Rest Camp. Some of the bird species to encounter include African Gray 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, African Crake, Lesser Moorhen, Gray Crowned-Crane, Black Crowned-Crane, Senegal Thick-knee.
Nature Walks
Nature walks are among the best things to do in Kidepo Valley National Park that give nature lovers a chance to explore the scenic views of the park. These are guided activities led by an armed ranger guide who protects the participants and helps them identify and give more information about different birds and wildlife species that they might spot. Nature walks are best done in areas around Narus Valley, Apoka Rest Camp, Morungole Mountain and Longyilli Mountain. Visitors will see different plants and tree species, animals like zebras, elephants, waterbucks, giraffes and birds Allen’s Gallinule, Black Crake, Eurasian Moorhen, African Crake, Lesser Moorhen, Grey Crowned-Crane, Black Crowned-Crane, and Senegal Thick-knee.
Cultural Encounters.
Cultural encounters in Kidepo are among the most interesting activities to enjoy on your safari in the park. The park is neighbouring two communities, the IK people, a small tribe living in the mountains bordering Kenya and the Karamojong, a semi- nomadic pastoralist group. A visit to these communities allows visitors to connect with them. These experiences allow guests to learn about the traditional lifestyles of these tribes, like hunting, traditional dances, music and storytelling.
