Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park (1442km2) with an altitude range of between 914m and 2,750 m above sea level, lies in the far northeast of Uganda. It is one of the most alluring destinations in East Africa with a strong wilderness atmosphere, rugged mountain scenery with exceptional game viewing and birding. The mountain terrain is interrupted by the Narus Valley in the southwest and the Kidepo Valley in the northeast. The dominant habitat is open or lightly wooded savannah, interspersed with patches of montane forest, riparian woodland, borassus palms and rocky kopjes.

Kidepo has one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan national park. With 86 mammal species, it is only the third highest in Uganda protecting a far greater variety of large mammals than any other national park, including 28 species found nowhere else in the country. The bird checklist of 463 confirmed and 26 unconfirmed species make Kidepo second only to Queen Elizabeth National Park and over 60 bird species have been recorded in no other national park in Ugandan national park. Raptors are well-represented with 56 species in total including the dark chanting goshawk, pygmy falcon, tawny eagle, bataleur, secretary bird, and several types of vultures. Kidepo specials include the ostrich, kori bustard, fox and white-eyed kestrels, carmine, Abyssinian scimitar bill, etc.  The variety of butterflies and other smaller creatures is far less than in the forested national parks of western Uganda.

Five primate species including the localized patas monkey have been recorded in Kidepo Valley National Park. 22 predator species are resident including the black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African hunting dog; striped hyena, aardwolf, cheetah and caracal are found in no other national park in Uganda. Other predators in the park include side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, and a variety of mustelids, genets, mongoose and small cats. 17 antelope species occur in Kidepo. 7 of these species are registered nowhere else in Uganda including greater kudu, lesser kudu, Grant's gazelle, roan antelope, Beira Oryx, Guenthera's dik-dik, Jackson's hartebeest, topi, eland, klipspringer, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, Burchella's zebra, Bohor reedbuck, giraffes and mountain reedbuck.

Lodging in Kidepo Valley National Park
Luxury Lodging

  • Apoka Lodge: its grounds are visited by elephants, buffaloes, giraffe and other big game.

    Budget Lodging
  • Apoka Rest Camp
    Camping
  • Kakine Campsite just a few kilometers from Apoka.

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