Kidepo Valley National Park
Introduction
Kidepo is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks (1,442 km). It harbours scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. ”It could not be any better “ is a common comment on the scenery by visitors who often promise and do come back to Kidepo. Tucked into the corner of Uganda’s boarder with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers breathtaking savannah and mountain landscapes which end in a rugged horizon. A huge altitudinal range, correspondingly wide climatic conditions have evolved an extremely diverse flora. As a result the variety of animal species in the park is equally diverse including many which are found nowhere else in Uganda.
Flora & Fauna
The vegetation can best be described as open tree Savannah which varies much in structure and composition. Dry mountains forest dominates some of the hills, while areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forest.
The park harbours a greater diversity of animal species than other parks in Uganda. Of the 80 species mammals listed in 1971, 28 were not known to occur in any other Uganda park. Carnivores species unique to Kidepo and Karamoja region include the bateared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog. Less common ungulates include the greater and lesser kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringers and dikdik. Among other large ungulates are bush elephant, burchell’s zebra, bush pig, wothog, Rothschild giraffe, cape buffalo, eland, bushbuck, jackson’s hartebeest and oribi. Five species of primates are found in the park of which the Kavironod bush baby is endemic. Carnivores present include lion, leopards, several small cats, spotted hyena, black-backed jackals and side –striped jackal.
The park boasts an extensive avifauna. 465 species have been recorded (three new species were added to the list in 1995) of which 112 species were then (1972) not recorded in any other Ugandan park. Of particular interest, the Ostrich and The Kori bustard are principally associated with this region.
The park is out standing for its birds of prey. Of 58 species recorded 14 are believed to be endemic to Kidepo and Karamoja region. These include Verreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon. Also of note are species of hornbills. The red-billed, the yellow-billed and jacksons hornbills are peculiar to Kidepo, while the giant Abyssinia ground hornbill is quite common.
There is however no comprehensive survey in Kidepo and visitors stand a good chance of adding to the current list. The landscape through out the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions.
Visitors will be able to enjoy guided walks from Apoka enabling them to quietly appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of the park and the beauty of mountain scenery. They will also find great interest in the native flora and with many of the smaller creatures of the park.
Tourist Attractions
In addition to supporting huge diversity of endemic species, Kidepo is the only park in Uganda where the visitors can view both zebra and giraffe. Most of the wildlife is concentrated within Narus valley. From the verandah of the Apoka rest Camp, visitors may view a variety of wildlife.
At least 60% visitors that come to the park in dry seasons enjoy good views of lions (that some times climb trees). Other animals of interest include buffaloes, elephants and giraffes. A number of game drive loops direct visitors to prime wildlife viewing locations in the Narus valley. Hiking can be carried out on Morungole Mountain just some few kilometres from the park headquarters. Lonyili Mountain is another possible hiking place.
Visitors can also go to view the splendid Kidepo valley dominated by borassus palm forest; its wide flat river-bed is dry for most of the year. Visitors may enjoy picnic on the sand, and the sound of palm leaves in constant motion in the wind. From the Kidepo valley, visitors may also visit the Kanagorok hot springs which are located only 11km Kidepo river valley.
The mountain and savannah of the park is spectacular. The Narus valley in south west of the park; the rugged Napore-Nyagea mountain range forms its western boundary. Separating it from the Kidepo Valley in the north east, are the Lokayot hills. To the north in the Sudan are the Lotukei Mountains and the Morungole range marks the southern boundary of the park.
Visitors can be entertained by traditional dances such as the Emuya dance of the Napore and Nyangea, ethic groups and the Lakaraka and Apit dances of the Acholi.
Interested visitors may be able to visit Karimojong manyanttas (homesteads) and probably kraals to see traditional customs, stools, spears, headdresses, knives, bows and arrows and jewellery, some of which may also be obtained from the park tourist office. It’s better to arrange the visit two days in advance either from the park headquarters at Apoka or from UWA headquarters in Kampala. Along the Moroto-Soroti road visitors will be enthralled by the view of the steep volcano of Alekilek about midway between Moroto and Soroti. Visitors who take Kotido -Lira road will enjoy the scenery of the Labwor hills and in particular the massive and bare ALerek (Kidi Rwot) rock about 55km from Kotido.
Accommodation and Meals
The park also runs a self catering hostel comprising of 14 badas each with two beds. It offers cooking facilities only but may provide visitors with basic drinks (beer and soda). Visitors are advised to bring sufficient food and drinks for full duration of their stay.
Apoka Rest Camp managed by Uganda Safari Company provides food and bedding for up market on full board basis. The park has two ‘do it yourself” campsites. However provision of water, firewood and charcoal can be arranged.
Access
The park can be reached by road or air. Driving is more rewarding as vast parts of Karamoja are more scenic and total wilderness. However road condition is sometimes difficult and 4 wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Visitors should not that the road mainly in use from Kotido to Kaabong passes via Kanawauat not via Losilang as indicated in most maps. Inquire from Kotido. (Visitors intending to come by road are advised to contact UWA headquarters to seek advise about conditions and safety on the roads.)
There are three routes by road:
- Kampala via Karuma-LiraKotido-Kidepo-705kms
- Kampala via Mbale- Soroti-Moroto-Kidepo 792km
- Kampala via Mbale-Sironko-Kotido-Kidepo-740km
Chartered aircrafts are available from Entebbe international Airport to the park Headquarters. The Civil Aviation Authority manages an airstrip at Lomej about 3km south of the park headquarters.
The Civil Aviation Authority has plans to make Lomej an International airport which will permit visitors to fly direct from other countries. The flight from Entebbe takes about 2 hours. Chartered flights may be arranged with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), United Airline, Eagle Aviation or KAFTC.
Chartered flights may also be arranged with tour companies in Kampala.
