Tourist Attractions in Kidepo National Park | Uganda Wildlife Safaris
Tourist attractions in Kidepo National Park: Kidepo Valley National Park is ranked as one of the most interesting and magnificent national parks in Uganda. This magnificent park is situated in the northeastern region of Uganda along the border of Uganda and southern Sudan.
Kidepo Valley National Park, stretching through an area of 1442 square kilometers, is a home to many wildlife species such as bat-eared foxes, cheetahs, striped hyenas, Caracal and aardwolves.
The more uncommon ungulates are the greater & lesser Kudu, roan antelope, Chandler’s mountain reedbuck, beisa oryx, klipspringer, Bright’s gazelle, oribi, Burchell’s zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, bush pigs, bohor reedbuck, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, defassa waterbucks, cape buffaloes, elands and many more.
Birds in the park include ostriches African swallow-tailed kites, eastern pale chanting goshawks, pygmy falcons, fox kestrels, stone partridges, Clapperton’s and Heuglin’s francolins, yellow-necked spurfowl, Kori, white-bellied and Hartlaub’s bustards, violet-tipped coursers, black-headed Plover and many more.
Kidepo National Park offers amazing safari activities such as cultural visits, hiking, nature walks, bird watching and game drives.
Kidepo national park consists of many attractions, which include
CULTURE
Kidepo National Park is a one-stop center for culture encounters, which are served in many interesting dimensions. In Kidepo National Park you get an authentic culture experience by visiting two tribal groups: the Karamojong pastoralists and the Ik people.
The Karamojong are a pastoralist group of people who depend on rearing cattle. In the Karamojong community, the Manyata houses will fascinate you. Manyatas are unique architectural houses beautifully built using wood and fenced using grass, which separates the houses from the main compound; there are many manyatas in one vicinity sharing one compound.
The Karamojong perform their cultural dances, which are loved by tourists. These dances have much resemblance to the dances of the Masai and Turkana people.
The Ik group of people are a minority group who were the ancient inhabitants of Kidepo National Park before gazetting it as a park. The Ik are an interesting group of people living in the high altitudes of Mount Morungole, which is situated on the border of Uganda and Kenya in Kidepo National Park. Visiting the Ik people is an interesting full day’s activity, which consists of hiking to the top of the mountain to meet these people. Upon your arrival in the Ik society, you will be welcomed by cultural dances and songs; if you are looking for authentic African culture, the Ik group of people is your best option.
APOKA TOURISM CENTRE
The Apoka tourism center is situated in Apoka, a tourism hub in Kidepo National Park. The center overlooks the fascinating Narus Valley, making it a major attraction in the park. The Apoka tourism center is a station for ranger guides who escort tourists on game drives. From the Apoka tourism center, you get to view a number of wild animals, which flock the valley.
The center also caters to tourists through its craft shop, which consists of books, souvenirs and refreshments like mineral water, soda and alcoholic beverages at the mini bar.
Apoka tourism centre also serves different dishes at request and for tourists who wish to do their own cooking, cooking gas and utensils are available for hire at a reasonable price tag
MOUNT MORUNGOLE
Mount Morungole is a magnificent mountain standing at an altitude of 2,750 meters above sea level. The mountain is a home to the Ik group of people, offering a fascinating hiking experience up to the Ik minority people for a cultural experience.
Mount Morungole, situated in the southern region of Kidepo National Park, is crossed by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers, which adds more beauty to the mountain. This mountain is only reached on foot, as there are no demarcated routes to facilitate cars to the top of the mountain.
NAMAMUKWENY VALLEY
Namamukweny Valley is situated in the northwest region of Kidepo National Park. The valley name Namamukweny is a local word meaning “a place with no birds” or “a lonely place with few people.” Regardless of the name Namamukweny valley is an important birding site in the park as it is inhabited by numerous bird species for example Kori bustard, hornbill, Broad-tailed Warblers, Marsh Tchagra & Crimson-rumped waxbill, African Moustached & Clapperton’s Francolin, Black Coucal White-faced Scoops Owl, Orange-winged & Red-winged pytilias, yellow-necked Spurfowl, Four-banded Sand Grouse, red-billed Oxpecker, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Abyssinian Ground, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Rufous, Chestnut Sparrow and many more
NARUS VALLEY
The beautiful Narus Valley in Kidepo National Park stretches through the south and western region of the park; the valley is a home to many interesting wildlife species such as lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffaloes, giraffes, Oribis and reedbucks. Narus Valley is the best spot for game drives, nature walks and amazing sightseeing.
The valley is enclosed by distant mountains and a permanent water source; that is why it is visited by much wildlife. For game drives, the valley has properly kept game drive tracks with four loop circuits exploring the valley around Apoka.
In this valley Narus Dam and the water hole near the Apoka tourism center are perfect spots for observing animals, most especially in the dry season. Narus Valley is drained by the Narus River, which floods during the wet season and in the dry season the valley retains oases, which are sources of water for animals.
KIDEPO VALLEY and KANANGOROK HOT SPRINGS
Kidepo Valley stretches in the north and northeast regions of Kidepo Valley National Park; the valley is an interesting attraction in the park. Because of lack of a permanent water source, Kidepo Valley has few wildlife animals but still it is worth visiting as you get to view mountains on the border and visit River Kidepo, which dries up during the dry season, creating a 50-meter-wide bed of white sand between borassus palm-covered banks.
Again, in Kidepo Valley, you get to visit the magnificent Kanangorok hot spring.
Kanangorok offspring is situated 11 kilometers from Kidepo River on the southern border in Lotukei, while at this hot spring you get to enjoy watching hot water jetting from the ground, spilling all over the surface.
LOMEJ HILLS
The Lomej Hills are situated just a short drive from the park’s headquarters. The hills give extremely magnificent scenery, and it is a great sport for viewing a number of animals and bird species, such as mountain reedbuck.
Visit Kidepo Valley National Park and enjoy the abovementioned attractions; though the park is found in a remote area, you will surely have the best experience in your life.
