Kidepo Valley National Park is found in a remote area of northern Uganda. There are no ATMs or banks inside the park, but they can be found in nearby towns. It is important for visitors to withdraw cash before entering the park.
Towns with banks and ATMs include Kaabong, which is about 3 hours from the park. Kotido is about 5 hours away, while Moroto and Kitgum are each around 6 hours from the park.
In Kaabong town, you will find banks like Stanbic Bank Kaabong and Centenary Bank Kaabong. These banks have ATMs, although they may not always be reliable. PostBank Uganda also offers cash withdrawal services.
Kotido town is slightly larger and has more stable services. It has Stanbic Bank Kotido and Centenary Bank Kotido, both with working ATMs. Bank of Africa also operates in Kotido, though its services may be limited.
Moroto town has Absa Bank Moroto, which is considered one of the best banks in the Karamoja region. Stanbic Bank Moroto offers foreign exchange services, and Centenary Bank is also available. These banks are convenient for travelers coming from Soroti or Mbale.
Kitgum town has Stanbic Bank Kitgum and Centenary Bank Kitgum, both with working ATMs. These are useful for visitors coming from Kampala through Gulu.
Tourists can also withdraw cash in Kampala before heading to the park. Being the capital and business center of Uganda, Kampala has many banks and ATMs to choose from.
Some lodges near the park offer emergency cash services, but these usually come with high charges. You can also find many mobile money agents in trading centers like Lodiko and Lokori. MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money are the most commonly used networks in Uganda.
Visitors can also link their bank accounts to mobile money services to access funds. However, this can be costly for international users, so it is best to inform your bank before traveling to avoid any blocks on your card.
It is advised to carry enough cash, as this is the most common form of payment in Uganda. Breaking the money into smaller notes is also helpful for small purchases. If you need to exchange currency, do so before entering the park.
ATMs and banks near Kidepo are not very reliable. Plan ahead to make sure your safari experience goes smoothly.
