Attractions in Kidepo National Park
Attractions in Kidepo National Park are the different features that the park possesses which attract travelers to come and enjoy the park’s wilderness. A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park will prove to you what true African wilderness is and you will discover what the African wilderness was during those ancient years. There are many reasons as to why you should attempt to visit Kidepo National Park and the attractions are a major reason. Below are the attractions in Kidepo National Park:
The wildlife: There is plenty of Uganda wildlife safaris more especially game drive viewing. The game drive viewing in Kidepo valley national park is the most enjoyable and impressive experience among Ugandan national park, it can be only compared to that of Masai Mara in Kenya and some people say that Kidepo might be more rewardable than Masai Mara. The two protected national parks border each other and mammals understand no boundaries so they move over and back at will.
For many travellers tend to visit Kidepo National Park they will be able to see the most sought lions, cheetahs, and many other wildlife species. The more common mammals in the park include predators like lions, leopard, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, elephants, cape buffaloes, zebras, giraffes,12 species of antelopes such as Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, eland, klipspringer among others.
Bird watching: Birds in Kidepo National Park are part of the top attractions. The park is haven for birding paradise with over 500 bird species of which 58 species are endemic such birds include; Verreaux’s eagle (Aquila verreauxii) Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) and 14 raptors are rare to this park in the entire country, they include Kori bustard bird, Ostrich, Abyssinian &Rufous-crown Rollers and many more. Some of the commonest bird species include; Pygmy falcon grey flycatcher, Karamoja Apolis, Nubian Woodpecker, White-bellied Tit, Little green Bee eater, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Eastern yellow and Jackson’s Hornbills, White-faced Scoops Owl, Orange-winged & Red-winged pytilias yellow-necked spurfowl, Fan-tailed Raven, Yellow-spotted Petronia, Yellow-billed Shrikes Eastern Violet-backed, Rose-ringed parakeet and many more. All these species are habitant of savannah and montane forests.
The Nature of Kidepo: Ideally, Kidepo Valley National Park is the finest African wilderness and its wilderness is amazing with, hot springs, mammal species, and grassland. The park is located between verdant valleys giving you a spectacular view of the scenic landscape while enjoying the fresh air breath. The park being a nature wonder area there is nothing less than captivating.
Kidepo for Culture: Around the park, there are two unique tribes and the park has co-existed within kidepo’s wildlife for a long time which are the unique IK People and the Karamojong people each of these tribes have a different interesting traditional lifestyle in culture and grossly rejected civilization. They still preserve their ancient traditions and are proud of their traditional culture which amazes to many tourists who visits the park on their culture safari to the park and the most interesting culture are the IK People who expose the uniqueness of their culture to the travellers, but they live within the park along Mount Morungole but are believed to have come to Uganda from Ethiopia.
The Hot Springs: The bubbly kanangorok hot springs which mean the place of black stones simmers away next to the South Sudan border and is believed to have healing powers for skin diseases. The drive to kanangorok hot springs takes you through the kidepo River valley which is a seasonal river with great sight-seeing.
Accommodation in Kidepo National Park
Kidepo valley national park is located in a remote area but with well-developed accommodation facilities option ranges between Mid-range to Luxury lodge such lodges include; Apoka safari lodge –luxury, Apoka Rest Camp –Mid-range, Kidepo Safari lodge-mid-range, and Nga moru Camp Lodge –Mid-range many more.
Bet time to visit Kidepo National Park
Visiting kidepo valley national park is throughout the year, but most especially in drier seasons which start from September to March. It is when wildlife is easier to view and from June to September there can be less rainfall but still, road accessibility is easier and game viewing is rewardable. The wet season occurs from April and May.
Accessibility to Kidepo National Park
Kidepo National Park can be easily accessed whether by Air or by Car but the most comfortable transport means is to travel by air, flying from Entebbe international Airport to Apoka Airstrip takes 2 hours by Air. You can decide to use road transport which starts from Kampala Uganda’s Capital city with a rewardable viewing of features on the way. You can do Rhino trekking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on your way to Kidepo since the route you are using is the same route that takes you to the true African wilderness. Road transport takes 12 hours to reach the park.
