Kidepo Valley is off the beaten tourist path, on roads less traveled. It is Kidepo Valley National Park. It has names like what has been called “The Long Lost Eden.” Named by CNN – Travel – the 3rd best park in all of Africa and for 2016 naming it as a top African Safari destination. There is no other park in Africa such as Kidepo Valley National Park – rugged, remote, and undiscovered, off the tourist path, home to some of the most abundant wildlife in Uganda. Therefore if you are planning for the best Uganda safari tours do not miss to include this park offering the unforgettable undulating landscapes, wildlife and culture.
The park is home to elephant, zebra, giraffe, huge herds of buffalo, warthog, duiker, hartebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and hundreds of bird species. A game drive around Narus valley offers visitors chance to see the highest concentration of Buffalo, and Elephants. Other animals that may be seen roaming around include: Jackal, Zebra, Roan Antelope, water buck, warthogs, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Eland, Oribi, Cheetah, Leopard, Klipspringer, and Lion etc. The park boosts of being the highest concentration of birds endemic to Uganda like: Ostrich, Kori bustard, vultures, pygmy falcon, horn bills, eagles etc.
One more interesting thing about Kidepo is the cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamajong peoples at Karenga and Kapedo. Meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items. For adventurers, Kidepo is the point where you can visit the IK people who live on top of Mt .Morungole towards the Kenya border via Kawalakol village. A day hike to meet an interact with the IK is amazing and incredible!
This expedition begins from Kampala or town. Departure time from town airport is 4.00 PM and it takes one hour to succeed in the park over flying river Nile, Lake Kyoga, Lake Bisina, and Mt. Elgon, hilltops, small cities and villages. You’ll be transferred to Apoka by a 4 x 4 Truck. Relaxed around as you see animals near the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Apoka Rest Camp.
On the second day, Have an early cup of coffee, take a game drive to Narus valley; a spot which attracts the highest concentration of animals and birds due to the presence of water. Return to camp for breakfast and lunch. After lunch, excursion or a stay among the Karamajong lifestyle is rewarding. Here the guests get a unique, unforgettable experience and understanding of the Nomads lifestyle around Karenga and Kapedo. The elders will show guests the Kraals, grinding stone, local defence fence and cultural dance called ‘Edonga’. Return to the rest Camp for dinner and overnight.
Third day after breakfast, driving back to Kampala: we will visit the abandoned Katurum Lodge. Built by Idi Amin, this impressive structure is worth a visit for the views alone. A must for birders, look out for Fox Kestrel, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Montague’s Harrier, Fan Tailed Raven and the very rare Stone Partridge. On this day we have early morning breakfast and drive back to Kampala as mark an end towards our 3 days tour to Kidepo valley national park but this is through the park as we do game drive, giving you chance to see Elephants, Buffaloes and different kinds of antelopes as we make our exit through the Katarum gate making a brief stop at Katarum Kopje a site of the derelict lodge built in the rock but currently under renovation to have a bird eye view of the park, lunch break in Gulu town, and then Kampala marking an end to this trip.