4 Days Kidepo Wildlife Safari
4 Days Kidepo Wildlife Safari : Kidepo national park as a tourist destination has its origin as to why the park is called Kidepo national park till date. Before Kidepo was gazetted as a game reserve by the British colonial government in 1962 then later as a national park, the area where Kidepo national park sits was a settlement area for the Dodoth and IK people. Kidepo national park is Uganda’s best tourist destination for game viewing. Unlike other Uganda national parks, Kidepo valley national park has a variety of wild animals in largest populations. The park has mainly two places for game drives that are Narus and Kidepo valley. Narus valley is vast grassland rolling plain amongst distant views mountains and hills. Narus valley is rewarded with permanent water supply from Narus River that which attracts large concentrations of animals in the valley throughout the year, commonly found animals in Narus whilst on a game drive include the Savannah elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbacks, lions and hippos in some of the water logged areas to mention a few. Kidepo valley unlike Narus valley is has less concentration of animals given its dry nature however driving through the Kidepo valley is thrilling while exploring the dry Kidepo with white sand bed.
While on a game drive in the Kidepo valley for wildlife like the Ostriches, a visit of the hot springs is must not, the Kanangorok hot springs lay about 11m over Kidepo river on South Sudan border. The Cheetah and the Ostrich bird are the unique animals that tourists look out when they visit the park. Other animals to be enjoyed while on a game drive in Kidpeo include; the Zebras, Kangoni, hyenas, Eland, Cape buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants, warthog, bush duiker, Jackal, bush back to mention but a few
Karamojong culture is one of the richest cultural heritages you ought to experience while on a Uganda tour. The Karamojong people are similar to the Masai people of Kenya and Tanzania described by their pastoral activities; they have a range of traditional instruments like the costumes, jewellery, stools, spears, bows, knives and beads. They occupy the areas around Kidepo valley national park in the furthest North Eastern part of Uganda. The existence of Kidepo Park has supported the villages of Karamoja through community tours. Visiting some of the homesteads around Kidepo will give you a true feeling of African life. The homesteads are constructed inform of grass thatched and a community is composed of an extended family, each with their own house and family. Some of the communities that have gained in the park inform of community tours include the Lorukul village that is situated just outside the park boundaries and the Ik people are can only be seen on a hike to mount Morungole.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Kigtum (7-8 hours)
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo national park – Afternoon/Evening game drive (4-5 hours)
Day 3: Game drive in Narus and Kidepo valley – Hot springs visit
Day 4: Return to Kampala (10-12 hours)
Detailed safari
Day 1: Transfer to Kigtum (7-8 hours)
Depending on your location in Kampala, meet your guide as early as 6 am and set off to the Northern part of Uganda heading to Kidepo Valley national park located in Karamojong region (Kaboong district). Given the 10 to 12 hours’ long drive from Kampala, you will stay overnight in Kigtum district which is about 7-8 hours’ drive from Kampala with en-route lunch. Dinner and overnight stay at Kitgum Boma Hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo national park (4-5 hours)
After breakfast, meet your guide as early as 6 am and set off to the Northern part of Uganda and proceed to Kidepo Valley national park located in Karamojong region (Kaboong district). This is a 4-5 hours’ drive arriving at good time for lunch at your reserved lodge.
Later afternoon, connect for an afternoon game drive in Narus valley where we find plenty of animals. This area is famous for finding the big 4 game including the lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes. If you are lucky, you will spot the Cheetahs and hyenas as well. Other animals to be found include the kobs, Oribi, Zebras, the giraffes to mention a few. Dinner and overnight stay at Apoka Safari lodge for luxury/Kidepo Savannah lodge for mid-range/Apoka Rest Camp for budget
Day 3: Game drive in Kidepo valley – Hot springs visit and community tour
After breakfast, connect to Narus for yet another exciting morning game drive in Narus valley where you have more opportunities to see most of the animals in case you missed out on most of them. Return to the lodge for lunch.
Later afternoon, explore the Kidepo valley in anticipation of seeing some of the animals, the Ostrich birds and also visit the hot springs of Kanangorok before you return to your lodge. Spend the rest the rest of the evening at leisure. Later evening you can visit a community for a cultural experience. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 4: Return to Kampala (10-12 hours)
On this fourth final day of your safari, you wake up quite early, have your breakfast then check-out of the lodge and be helped to pack back your language in the safari van for your long day journey back to Kampala. Since your journey is quite long, you will have several stopovers to refresh and have your lodge. Upon arrival in Kampala/Entebbe, you will be dropped off at your own booked hotel as you advise. End of the trip
