Kidepo National Park is located in the Karamoja region, Kabong district, in North Eastern Uganda. It covers 1,442 square kilometers of land. The park was established in 1962 as a game park, but before that, it was a game reserve set up by the British colonial government in 1958.
From Kampala, it is about 700 km by road. The park borders South Sudan to the northwest and Kenya, which is only 5 km to the east. Kidepo has a semi-arid climate with a dry season from September to March and a wet season from April to August.
Kidepo is ranked as the third-best national park in Africa. It has many animals on the savannah, including over 75 species of mammals and 470 species of birds.
The mammals include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and others. Notable birds include ostriches, red-throated bee-eaters, kori bustards, and pygmy falcons.
The park offers many activities. Game drives in safari vehicles help visitors spot animals. The best time for game viewing is at 6 am when animals are most active.
Bird watching is popular, especially in places like Namukwenyi Valley and Apoka Rest Camp. You can see endemic birds, migratory birds, and forest birds found only in the Karamoja region.
Bird watching is best done early in the morning or in the evening, usually with a guide.
Nature walks are also available. These guided walks explore the Lomej Hills and the nearby valleys, where you can spot wildlife.
Cultural encounters give visitors a chance to learn about the local communities. The Karamojong are a Nilotic-speaking, cattle-loving, nomadic agro-pastoralist group. The Ik people are hunter-gatherers, a small tribe living in the mountains near the Kenya border.
The park has two entrance gates. The main gate is Nataba Gate, which connects to the southeastern side near Kitgum. The Lokumoit Gate is used by travelers coming from the southwestern side.
Lomej Airfield allows visitors arriving by plane to clear customs and reach the park easily. The airfield is about 3 km from the Apoka main offices.
There are several places to stay inside the park, such as Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Nga’moru Wilderness Camp, and Apoka Rest Camp. The best time to visit is during the dry season from September to March when it is easier to see wildlife as animals gather around water and vegetation.
Visitors should bring sunscreen, safari hats, caps, and sunglasses because the sun can be very hot.
Entry fees to the park are $40 USD for tourists, $30 USD for foreign residents, and $6 USD for East African citizens per person.
Other places to explore in the park include Narus Valley, Kanangorok Hot Springs, Kidepo Valley, and Lokulus community. These sites make a visit to Kidepo an unforgettable experience for adventure and nature lovers.
