The wonders of Uganda are enclosed in the beautiful Landscape, Birds & Great wildlife in Kidepo national park.
This park is one of the most interesting parks with 1,442 square kilometers. It environment is home to unique features and animals that are found nowhere else in the parks of East Africa.
This lovely park is situated in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of Karamoja province on the far northern border with the Sudan. Kidepo Valley is Uganda’s most isolated national park and “It could not be any better” is a regular comment on the landscape by tourists who over and over again promise and return to Kidepo. Some of them are the under taken pilgrimage to the park but the stunning beauty of this pristine wilderness impresses all that make it Tucked into the corner of Uganda’s border with Sudan and Kenya, the park provides magnificent Savannah landscapes, which end in rugged horizon.
A great latitudinal range and correspondingly wide climatic conditions have changed a greatly big flora. As a result the number of animal species in the park is usually abundant including many which are spotted no where else in Uganda.
Those fascinated by birding, Kidepo Valley National Park is a home to over 475 bird species, a total next to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Within the host of dry, eastern “specials” not seen in any other Ugandan national park are some of East Africa’s uncommon and most sought after birds like Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apallis.
The open tree Savannah vegetation in the park changes much in structure and composition. The high place fills up some of the Mountain forest, on the other hand areas near the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forest. The flora and fauna of the park are more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions.
Activities
Hikes and Scenic viewing
Hikes are take place on Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometers from the Park Headquarters. Tourists can also go to see the marvelous Kidepo River Valley filled up by Borassus palm forest; its big flat bed is dry for most of the year. When you come from Kidepo Valley, you may on the other hand visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs which are 11 km from Kidepo river valley.
Cultural entertainment (Performance)
A section of cultural entertainers by the local community is usually a vailable in case you book in time. It will perform for you. The entertainers have a large menu for you, traditional dances like the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, ethnic groups and Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi are just enough to make your day. Income gained by the performers has helped in making better the welfare of the indigenous people.
Game Viewing
The park is a home to a big number and exclusive number of animal species as compared to other parks. Of the 80 species of mammals noted down in 1971, 28 were not reported to have been in any other National park in Ugandan. Carnivore species exclusive to Kidepo and Karamoja region include the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog. Less common ungulates include the greater and lesser kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, dikdik and bright gazelle; beisa oryx and roan antelope have been severely depleted by poachers in the recent years. Among other large ungulates are elephant, burchell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog, Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water buck, bohor reed buck, jackson’s hartbeest and oribi. Five species of primate are found in the park of which the Kavirondo bush baby is endemic. Carnivores present include lion, leopard, several small cats, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal. The easiest to see being the jackals.
There are many opportunities of seeing tree climbing lions that usually sits on sauces trees along Narus valley or on rock just as you go into the Apoka Park Headquarter. More animals include elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bush buck, bush pig, kavirondo bush baby, buffalo and much more that are at times spotted right from the veranda of Apoka Rest Camp.
The park boasts a great number of avifauna. 465 species have been registered with the ostrich and the Kori bustard being of particular interest in the arid regions.
One more wonderful feature in the park species of prey birds. Out of the 58 species registered 14 are thought to be endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region. These include Verreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon. Also of note are four species of hornbills. The redbilled, the yellow-billed and Jackson’s hornbill are peculiar to Kidepo, while the giant Abyssinaia ground hornbill is some how common. There is on the other hand a comprehensive survey in Kidepo and fascinated visitors stand a good chance of adding to the current list.
Picnic
To make the visiting memorable to Kidepo River, take time and visit the picnic site situated on the sand and you won’t also miss the sound of palm leaves in constant motion in the wind with fresh air.
Nature Walk
During these walks, you may get more knowledge about the African culture, tour the Karimajong manyattas (homesteads) and perhaps kraals to view traditional costume, stools, spears headdress, knives, bows and arrows and jewelry can be organized. You may on the other hand buy some of those items from the park tourist office. Organize for the nature walk must be done two days in advance.
Accommodation
At the park premises, there is a privately owned Apoka Rest Camp overlooking the Narus Valley with breath taking room environment and rooms that provide accommodation on full board in addition to bed and break fast plus bandas and other camp sites.
Move to the park by road from Kampala:
Road Transport:
Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Kotido-Kideop-740 km
Kampala-Lira-Kotido-Kidepo-705 km
Kampala-Soroti -Kotido via Amuria 656 km
Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kidepo-792 km.
By Air Transport:
To reduce on the time spent on the road, you may take on Chartered aircraft from Entebbe International Airport to the Park Headquarters. The Civil Aviation Authority caters for the airstrip at Lomej approximately 3 km south of the Park Headquarters