Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo valley national park (KNP) is located in Kaabong district Karamoja sub-region in north eastern Uganda along the border with South Sudan to the east and Kenya to the west. Karamoja is a semiarid and low-lying plain that stretches from the shores of Lake Opeta (1,050m) and gradually rises, north east ward towards the escarpment of the Great East African Rift Valley along the border with Turkana county in Kenya. The plain is characterized by several volcanic physical features including rock kopjes, dry mountains including Mount Morungole 2,750m, Mount Moroto (3,083m), Mount Kadam (3,063m), and Mount Napak (2,500m), making for some of the best hiking destinations.

The protected area alone covers an area of 1,442 sq. km which is largely an open savanna grassland wilderness area interspersed with rocky outcrops, hills, and rugged mountain ranges. The park encampasses the Narus and Kidepo river valleys and the summit of Mount Morungole the highest point of the park among other rugged hills of Lonyill and Morunyang. The Narus river valley has open terrain and contains permanent sources of water which include wetlands and pools. Its where most of the park’s wildlife stays throughout the year and Narus is the main area for game drives. The Uganda Wildlife Authority visitor center at Apoka Rest Camp overlooks the valley and there are raised platforms and scenic view points.

The Kidepo river is seasonal and the valley is relatively larger stretching up to the rugged Lonyill hills along the border with South Sudan and Kenya. There are sand river crossing points, hot springs and the area aattracts nocturnal species including leopards due to acacia woodlands. The valley  offers spectacular views of the rugged volcanoes, making for a must-visit gem for a keen photographer.

Kidepo valley national park

History

Kidepo was established as a national park in 1962 and at the time the park was home to black and white rhinos, East African orxy, roan antelope, African wild dogs and a huge number of Rothschild’s giraffes. However, insecurity and poaching that persisted from 1980s to early 2000s led to their extinction except for a few giraffes that were saved through intervention by government such as disarmanent of the Karimojong cattle warriors. Karamoja has experienced relative peace and security which has allowed tourism development and conservation, making for a safe place to visit on Uganda safari. UWA in partnership with other stakeholders has over years done several wildlife restoration mechanisms including law enforcement, working with and empowertranslocation of giraffes, Uganda kobs, from other parks to restore biodiversity. UWA also uses GPS technology to monitor predators and elephants and their numbers has been raising. According to Wildlife Conservation Society of Uganda: Biodiversity Surveys of Kidepo Valley National Park, the number of wildlife in Kidepo is steadily raising and there has been return of species that were previously thought extinct such as the African painted dogs and white eared kobs due to peaceful transborder conservation efforts of the Greater Kidepo Landscape which includes the adjacent South Sudan’s Kidepo game reserve, the surrounding forests and community wildlife management areas including Zulia (931 sq.km) to the east, Nyangea-Napore to the west, and Morungole in the south east forest reserves, and the Karenga Community wildlife management area.

Local people

Kidepo Valley National Park is surrounded by the Karamojong people, a semi-nomadic pastoralist ethnic cluster of tribes including the minority IK, Taposa, Dodoth, Jie. Karimojong are the largest group within the cluster is known for their traditional cattle herding practices such as drinking fresh milk and blood of fatty bulls. When they slaughter cows and lambs for meat, they also use bi-products such as dung, hides and skins for home decorations. Among other unique customs include high jump dance and body scarification, almost similar to those of the famous Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania. Cattle symbolize wealth and status within the community and the traditional housing of the Karimojong people known as manyatta reflects their nomadic and pastoralist lifestyle. Their homesteads can be visited in Lorukul, Kaperimoru, Kawalakol, and Kalenga on the way to or from the park via the Eastern Uganda route. Visiting the Karamoja homesteads offers an opportunity to interact with the craftsperson. You can learn how a wide range of arts and crafts are made including making of colorful beads and jewelry, which is an integral part of clothing and beauty especially among women. Those in Entebbe town can obtain Karamoja souvenirs at the Bafrika Creationz Art Gallery next to Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Vegetation

In the lower elevations at 914 m in the Narus valley, vegetation is mostly open savanna grasslands interspaced with various acacia tree species including Acacia gerrardii, Acacia nilotica (commonly known as the gum arabic tree) and Commiphora africana. Fig trees (Ficus spp.) and borassus palms, and Balanites aegyptiaca grow around the river valleys. A mosaic of papyrus swamps contain water lilies, known for their large, round leaves and vibrant flowers that float on the water’s surface that provide important habitat for birds and aquatic species like hippos and crocodiles.  Kidepo river valley on the other hand is seasonal and contains thicker woodlands dominated by Juniperus-Podocarpus forests on the slopes of the surrounding hills and forest reserves including Zulia (931 sq.km) to the east, Nyangea-Napore to the west,
and Morungole in the south east.

Flora

Due to a variety of habitats, Kidepo valley national park has rich biodiversity with 86 mammal species of which over 13 are not found anywhere else in Uganda including cheetahs, bat-eared foxes, stripped hyenas, black-backed jackals, white eared kobs, African painted dogs, Aardwolves, West African Sahelian crocodiles (Crocodylus suchus), Greater and Lesser Kudus, mountain reedbucks, Crested Porcupines, (Hystrix cristata), and the heart-nosed bat (Cardioderma cor). In addition to the endemic species, Kidepo is home to over 1,000 elephants and 10,000 buffaloes, over 77 Rothschild’s giraffes. Among other mammals include zebras, impalas, elands, and topi, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribi, and bushbucks. Kidepo along with Murchison falls, Lake Mburo national parks are the only Ugandan destinations where you can see a combination of zebras, giraffes, elands, and impalas.

Birds

Kidepo also boasts a rich avifauna with over 475 species of birds, making for a good destination for birdwatchers on Uganda safari seeking to spot a wide range of species in one location. The species adapted to the semi-arid environment are rare to find in other parts of Uganda including the Karamoja apalis, a small, inconspicuous bird. Among other unique species include Abyssinian ground hornbill, the ostrich, the world’s largest bird, rose ringed parakeets, red-throated bee-eaters. Kidepo also boasts over 56 raptor species that include secretary bird, lapped-faced vulture, African crowned and long crested eagle, and the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), known for its incredible speed and aerial hunting prowess, particularly of other birds.

 

Activities

Game drives

Game drives in Kidepo national park are mainly done in the Narus valley given that most of the park’s mammal species tend to dwell there all year round due to permanent water sources, open plains, and rock jopjes. Game tracks including Nagusokopire, Kakine, and Katurum start at Apoka UWA visitor center and wind through the various sections of the Narus valley. Those intending to explore and discover more of the park can opt for the new tracks that UWA has opened up North West of Apoka and to the south of the crocodile pool.  The rest camps at Apoka and Kakine offer observation points where visitors can get spectacular views of Narus valley and the soaring mountain ranges.

Kidepo valley

A game drive in the Kidepo valley is a better option for a keen photographer who isn’t much interested in wildlife.  The Narus-Kidepo watershed is one of the spectacular scenery. There are opportunities to walk across the riverbeds made of dry sand to the Kanangorok Hot Springs. In addition to scenery, Kidepo valley also offers some sightings of leopards, ostriches, and buffaloes.

Kidepo valley national park

Karamoja Community Tours

Some of the lodges and tour operators collaborate with local communities around Kidepo valley national park offer guided cultural tours, home stays which offers opportunities to get some of the locally made Karamoja arts and crafts and and authenticity of their culture.

The IK tribe cultural tour

The IK were once hunter-gatherers, but over time, their mode of survival evolved to include subsistence farming and beekeeping.  This was a result of eviction when Kidepo was gazetted into a protected area in 1962. The IK, however, continue to maintain their traditional customs and speak their native language.  According to national census 2014, the total population of the Ik is 14,000 of which 6,500 are males and 7,500 females. They live on the slopes of Mount Murongole, in Kamion, and on the edge of Timu Forest Reserve. Tours to visit them range from 1-3 days and are available for booking through a tour operator.  In addition to IK tour, visitors can also visit the Dodoth ethnic group and Timu forest nature walk.

Best time to visit

Visiting Kidepo National Park means considering the best times for different activities like game drives, bird watching, and photography, which are influenced by seasonal changes and wildlife behavior. The dry season from March, June to September is the best time for game drives in Kidepo National Park. Due to clearer visibility and reduced vegetation, spotting wildlife can be easier. During morning animals are active and in the afternoon they tend to gather around permanent water sources within the Narus River valleys which increase the likelihood of encounters with lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and among other iconic African species. In addition to good weather, the road conditions are generally better, facilitating smoother game drives.

Bird watching in Kidepo can be rewarding throughout the year, however. The dry season overlaps with the breeding season for many bird species in Kidepo valley national park. Birds are more active, vocal, and colorful during this time as they establish territories and court mates. Those intending to spot migratory species can visit in November to April.

How to get there

Kidepo valley national park is 571 km (10-hour drive) north east of Kampala capital city via the Kampala-Karuma-Gulu-Kitgum-Kidepo route. This route offers an option to go through Murchison falls national park. Getting to Kidepo via the eastern Uganda circuit, there are 2 routes to consider which include Kampala-Mbale-Nakapiripiti-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo route 740 km (12-hour drive) and the 792 km (13-hour drive) Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo. Eastern Uganda safari circuit offers a wide range of adventure, wildlife and cultural attractions to visit along the way to Kidepo including Source of the Nile Jinja, Nyero rock paintings in Kumi, Lake Opeta Ramsar site, Mount Elgon, Sipi falls, and Kapchorwa.

Where to stay in and around Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo, despite being remote, offers a wide range of accommodations including Eco camps, home stays, and lodges.  Some of the Eco camps operated by Kara Tunga include Kara Tunga Safari Camp, Timu forest eco-camp and Morungole Eco-Camp. Very Eco-friendly with solar energy, bucket showers, composite toilet, and good waste management practices. Popular lodges in Kidepo include Kidepo savanna lodge (budget), Apoka Safari Lodge (luxury) and the UWA Apoka Rest Camp.