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SIZE:
1,442 sq km
LOCATION:
On the Sudanese border in the northeast
The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of
Uganda's most spectacular parks. It is 1,442
square kilometres and harbours scenery
unsurpassed in any other park in East
Africa. 'It could not be any better' is a
common comment on the scenery by visitors
who often promise and do come back to
Kidepo. Tucked into the corner of Uganda's
border with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers
breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end
in rugged horizon. A huge latitudinal range
and correspondingly wide climatic conditions
have evolved an extremely diverse flora. As
a result the variety of animal species in
the park is equally abundant including many
which are found no where else in Uganda.
The vegetation can best be described as open
tree Savannah which varies much in structure
and composition. Mountain forest dominates
some of the high places, while areas along
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.
Meals:
Neither the Rest Camp nor hostel stock food,
visitors are therefore advised to carry
sufficient food and drinks for the duration
of their stay in the park. The Rest Camp
staff can arrange for the cooking. However
other supplementary diet such as chicken and
goat meat can be arranged from the nearby
community for visitors who intend to stay
longer.
Getting there:
Road Transport:
Kampala-Lira-Kotido-Kidepo-705 km
Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kidepo-792 km
Kampala-Mbale-Sironko-Kotido-Kideop-740 km
Kampala-Soroti -Kotido via Amuria 656 km
Driving is more rewarding as vast parts of
Karamoja are scenic and total wilderness.
However road conditions are some times
difficult and 4-wheel drive vehicles (4WD)
are recommended. Visitors should note that
the road mainly in use from Kotido to
Kaabong passes via Kanawauat.
Visitors intending to travel by road are
advised to contact UWA headquarters to seek
advice about conditions and safety on the
roads.
Air Transport:
Chartered aircraft are available from
Entebbe International Airport to the Park
Headquarters. The Civil Aviation Authority
manages an airstrip at Lomej about 3 km
south of the Park Headquarters.
WHAT TO DO:
Game Viewing
The park harbours a great diversity of
animal species than other parks. Of the 80
species of mammals listed in 1971, 28 were
not known to occur in any other Ugandan
park. Carnivore species unique 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 high chances of viewing tree
climbing lions that always sits on sauces
trees along Narus valley or on rock just as
you enter the Apoka Park Headquarter. Other
wildlife include elephants, leopard, bush
duiker, jackal, bush buck, bush pig,
kavirondo bush baby, buffalo and much more
that are some times seen right from the
veranda of Apoka Rest Camp.
The park boasts an extensive avifauna. 465
species have been recorded (three new
species were added to the list in 1995). Of
particular interest, the ostrich and the
Kori bustard are principally associated with
arid regions.
The park is outstanding for its birds of
prey. Of 58 species recorded 14 are believed
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 quite
common. There is however no comprehensive
survey in Kidepo and keen visitors stand a
good chance of adding to the current list.
Hiking and Scenery viewing
Hiking can be carried out on Lamoj Mountains
just a few kilometers from the Park
Headquarters. Visitors can also go to view
the splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated
by Borassus palm forest; its wide flat bed
is dry for most of the year. From Kidepo
Valley, you may also visit the Kanangorok
Hot Springs, which are located only 11 km
from Kidepo river valley.
The mountain and Savannah landscape of the
park is spectacular. The Narus valley is
situated in the South West of the park; the
rugged Napore-Nyagia mountain range forms
its western boundary. Separating it from the
Kidepo Valley in the northeast, are the
Natira and Lokayot Hills. To the north in
the Sudan are the Lotukei mountains and the
Morungole range marks the southern boundary
of the park.
Picnic
To add flavor to your visit to Kidepo River,
take time and visit the picnic site located
on the sand and you won't also miss the
sound of palm leaves in constant motion in
the wind.
Cultural Performance
The local community has a group of cultural
entertainers who on request are always
available to perform. The performers have a
large menu for you, traditional dances such
as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia,
ethnic groups and Larakaraka and Apiti
dances of the Acholi are waiting for you.
The money that this group earns is used for
uplifting their welfare.
Nature Walk
If you are interested in increasing your
knowledge on African culture, visits to the
Karimajong manyattas (homesteads) and
probably kraals to see traditional costume,
stools, spears headdress, knives, bows and
arrows and jewelry can be arranged. Some of
the above mentioned items can be purchased
from the park tourist office. It's advisable
that you make arrangements for the nature
walk two days in advance. This booking can
be done from the park headquarters in Apoka
or from Uganda Wildlife Authority
Headquarters in Kampala.
Visitors who choose to follow the
Soroti-Moroto road will be enthralled by the
view of the steep volcano of Alekilek about
midway Moroti and Soroti. And for those who
take the Lira-Kotido road will enjoy the
scenery of the Labwor hills and in
particular the massive and bare Alerek (Kidi
Rwot) rock about 55 km to Kotido.
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