4 Day Kidepo wildlife flying Safari
4 Day Kidepo wildlife flying Safari: Kidepo national park is Uganda’s most beautiful, remote and least explored park however those that take trouble to visit the park, are rewarded with phenomenal wildlife sightings and a level of exclusivity that can rarely be had at any cost in neighbouring countries, for Kidepo park is ranked among Africa’s top finest wildernesses. This park is found in the far and remote North East of Uganda in the popular Karamonja region in rugged and semi-desert parts of the Karamonja region coverning an area of 1,440 square kilometres with hidden gem same as that of Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti national park. This 4 days Kidepo national park tour is one of the best ways to explore the park extensively experiencing wildlife, culture and hiking. The main activity in this park is game viewing as the park is the richest wildlife national park in Uganda.
Note that it takes 12 to 13 hours driving directly from Kampala city to Kidepo national park and the best way to manage this, is by dividing the journey into 2 days with a stop at one of the towns like Gulu or Kitgum on the first day and proceed to the park on the second day. However, there are domestic flights operated by Aerolink Uganda that offer flights to Kidepo national park. The flight is about 2 hours given that they are connecting flights.
Highlights
- Day 1: Fly to Kidepo national park
- Day 2: Game drive and Hot springs visit in Kidepo Valley
- Day 3: Game Drive in Narus valley and community visit
- Day 4: Fly back to Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Kidepo national park
Depending on your location in Entebbe, transfer to Entebbe airport on a scheduled connecting domestic flight operated by Aero-link to Kidepo which operates only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to Kidepo departing at 12:30 hours arriving Kidepo at 14:45 hours. This 2 hours flight will allow you beautiful Arial views of the lush countryside. (Please note that if there are no extra passengers on board for the flight, you will have to pay for the extra seats.)
You will land at Apoka airfield and your driver/guide will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon, head out for a game drive to explore the remarkable landscapes of Kidepo including the magical Narus Valley where you will have many chances of seeing a range of game including the herds of Cape Buffaloes, African elephants, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Klipspringer, Jackals and possibly Lions among others before heading back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option: Apoka Safari lodge/Adere Safari lodge#
- Mid-range option: Kidepo Savannah lodge
- Budget option: Apoka Rest Camp
Day 2: Game drive and Hot springs visit in Kidepo Valley
Have breakfast and brace yourself another thrilling game drive in the vast savannah of Kidepo Valley intercepted by patches of borassus palm and the rising scenic hills. Enjoy the stunning views of the morning sun shining over the hills of Lomej, the Lotukei Mountains to the north close to the Sudan border, the Morungole range to the southern boundary of Kidepo before the rays strike down to the endless valleys of Kidepo and Narus valley and also visit the Kanangorok hot springs and you can encounter Ostriches within the region although their numbers are highly threatened by poaching by south Sudanese before you return. Dinner and overnight at lodge as above
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option: Apoka Safari lodge/Adere Safari lodge#
- Mid-range option: Kidepo Savannah lodge
- Budget option: Apoka Rest Camp
Day 3: Game Drive in Narus valley and community visit
After breakfast, connect to Narus valley, a true wilderness for the early risers, you will set out for another rewarding game drive through the open savannah where you can easily spot the lions, the Cheetah, leopards and other animals including; the Cape Buffaloes, African elephants, waterbacks, Klipspringer, Jackals and different antelope species.
After enjoying your lunch, drive to visit some of the existing local communities around the park. The Karamojong people are known for a truly unique culture similar to that of the Masai of Kenya. The Karamojong culture is still pure and totally unique from most other tribes in Uganda; they have rejected civilization and still live like in the ancient times. The Karamojong are predominantly pastoralists and live purposely to fight for their cattle as it is in their belief that every cattle in the world belongs to them. They are a very interesting group of people with a very unique culture visible in their way of dressing, cooking, dancing and other daily life activities. A visit to the Karamojong is a truly rewarding experience you should look forward to. Later transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Fly back to Entebbe
Have breakfast and depending on your time of return flight, go for another game drive in Narus valley to increase your chances of seeing what you might have missed out the previous day. Check out of the lodge and transfer to Apoka airfield for a return flight to Entebbe departure at around 15:00 hours to Entebbe arriving at 16:30 hours to connect with your onward flight or be transferred to your lodge in Entebbe. End of the trip
