Following the restoration of peace in her neighboring communities, visiting Kidepo Valley National Park now features on almost every adventurer’s bucket list. Matter of fact, I bet a convoy of over three years is ferrying visitors to the park. However, the adventure was not for the fainthearted prior to 2007. From almost all her frontiers, it used to rain bullets and tears of civil wars.
In a positive twist of events, things are back to normal. Not only are the roads feeding the park so secure for a travel at any time of the day but also fully rehabilitated to accommodate the increasing tourist traffic towards the park.
For travelers planning on combining the trip with a tour to Mountain Elgon National Park or Sipi falls, the route through Moroto District is highly recommendable for its convenience. Exit Kampala via Jinja and follow the Kenya bound highway. From Iganga, take the Tirini road shortcut that leads to Mbale, a one stop district where you can do your last round of shopping and checks. Then on, pick up where you left with the drive to the parks Mataba gate through Moroto, Kotido and Kaabong. Altogether, this should total to about 750km one way.
On the other hand, there are two options for travelers who would like to approach the park through the West. While the Kampala- Gulu – Kitgum -Kidepo option total to 571km one way, the Kampala – Kamdini – Kotido – Kaabong- Kidepo is 750km.
What to know about traveling by Road
Regardless of the option one takes, it is advisable to spend the night in the nearest town should darkness fall before they have made it to the park as the parks gets close at 7pm. All these towns are well served with hospitality facilities inclusive of restaurants, service stations and Hotels. While budget accommodation in ranges between shs20,000 to 50,000, high end accommodation ranges between sh 50,000 to 150,000.
For an accurate planning, it is recommendable to tag along with a detailed map that describe the route. One such is the Kidepo Valley National Park.
Flying
For travelers interested in enjoying panoramic view, Aerolink and Fly Uganda (Domestic airlines) offer daily flight to the park, the flight lasts about two hours.
The Game drives
It is one thing going to the national park and it is a completely different thing to have fun, the fun is never guaranteed. But if you have fun, don’t forget the game drives. They are adventurous in every sense of the word. They are fun-filled, emotive, captivating and you don’t have to miss them. Kidepo National Park offers game drives that you don’t find elsewhere on the face of the word. The drives through the park are memorable, they stick at the back of your head like a frozen sculpture. But they differ with time.
Morning Game Drives
Wake up from your patio, or cottage, or tent at the break of dawn. Wake up early because you might miss the magic of Africa, magic of Kidepo. The morning game drives are unrivalled because morning are mornings: then cruising through the park, mist covering the greenery, you will chance on different species of birds. These birds are only available in the mornings. If you are a bird enthusiast, set your timer.
This is the time when the wildlife is vibrant and lively. When the park is fresh and unadulterated, like it was newly born. When it is still and cold. When the park and the rest of the wildlife is waking up to herd. During the game drive, you will see many elephants. They come out in the morning, hungry like a street beggar. Stay away from them. You have to. They will trumpet and show signs of excitement, but in the process, they will show signs of discomfort.
When they trumpet, they are basically telling you to sod off, steer away from them. Stand a distance from them, but still, marvel at the giant beauty before you, the large ears, and the little tail swaying aimlessly at their backs. And in the morning, the parks is picturesque. You will capture the new dawn and the sunrise that illuminates and glows the bright African sky. The memories will stuck.
Evening and Night
The park is not always busy at lunchtime. So, the game drives are not that ideal. But when darkness inks the sky, the park wakes up again. First, don’t miss the sunset. Capture the sunset as the sun expunges grudgingly. Most wildlife, at this time, have finished with the day. They have eaten pasture and eaten themselves and roamed the earth. They have cut the grass, broken brunches off trees, emptied ditches, locked horns, ran for their dear lives, chased each other and they are trekking home. At least, to the place they call home. You will meet many of them, in groups, bantering away, chewing cud, clearing their throats.
At night, the cats pour outside and roam the earth. They go out to play, in darkness. As you drive through, beam the headlights in their eyes, the spectacle will melt your heart. Take more pictures, but make sure your doors are firmly closed.
Keep your windows clenched shut because the cats are dangerous. They can hop and prance on you. They can scratch out your eyes as you dash headlights in their eyes. It is dangerous yet adventurous. You will see the lions. More lions. Walking with stoic. Ambling with self-confidence. The king of the jungles. Sauntering like the world has nothing on them.
Wandering about as though they are the chairmen of the park. Indeed, they are. Because where they pass, animals pat and how for them. Bow for them if you have to. Take pictures, marvel at their fierceness. Kidepo National Park has cheetahs and leopards that you wont find in any national park in Uganda. It is only Kidepo National Park that teems with leopards and cheetahs. Do not miss them.
Extra activities and experiences of Kidepo
Nature Walk
Many a time, exploring a park by game drives can turn out to be very frustrating as the humming of the car engine might intimidate game prompting them to shy away. If you are not ready to take such chance in Kidepo, you might want to explore the park by nature walk. It takes the fun to another level, allowing one to encounter wildlife they would have missed out on in a game drive. If this is your idea of what an adventure should be like, a new awe-inspiring 15km snaky trail has been developed in the Narus Valley.
The one year old trail which was created by the African Wildlife Foundation and UWA begins following the ridgeline of Rio Nomoy, a spot where Rio Nomoy, a famous hunter was buried and ends at Logirangole Dam, a permanent wetland that is home to reed bucks, buffalo herons, duck and Jacana among many species of birds and game. Kidepo River, Katurum lodge and various rivers, one traverses various landscapes each of which has possesses unique species. While at it, except to totally get immersed in natural freshness that will allow your system to stock, reboot and rebuild.
Kanataruk Hot Springs
According to legend, on a rainy day in late 18th century, Longorok, a resident of present day Lotukai village found in the Northern wing of Kidepo went to fetch water for their Karamojong king at present day Kidepo River, a few steps away from the South Sudan Border. As fate would have it, he was struck to death by lightening a few meters to the river. Barely an hour later, had his corpse dissolved into a jetting hot spring that could boil food like bananas in minutes.
Decades later, she might not be as powerful as she was to erupt in space nor is she as hot as she was, however, the hot spring is still exciting to see and feel. Better still, she is found at the wing of the park that is a habitat to over 100 ostriches and plentiful of other bird species inclusive of those endemic to the Karamoja region like Karamoja apalis.
Other attractions in this area include penis shaped like ant hills and spot where fallen Southern Garanga breathed his last following a plane crash that spared none of the about 10 plus lives aboard. The other big catch here is ant hills and many arid land bird species inclusive of the Ostrich.
Directions
From Apoka, take the road that travels north through the relocation Boma. Upon crossing the sandy wash of Kidepo River, continue for about 11km and you will find the hot springs in a swampy like area at the right side of the smooth murram road.
Listing of Accommodation at Kidepo
High End
Apoka Safari Lodge
From her spacious sitting rooms to secluded fully fledged cottages, everything at this lodge is built to offer utter comfort. However that’s not all, each lodge has the edge when it comes to stunning views over the Narus River, a favourite refreshing point for all the wildlife in the park, especially elephants and zebras. Apoka is the only lodge in the park. The other wow factors is that all the facilities of the lodge are built out of eco-friendly materials and the extras like the swimming pool is curved out of Kopje upon which she sits. The room price during the high peak season includes soft drinks, meals and game drives. So if you are staying here there is no need to drive your own vehicle.
Adere Safari Lodge
If you’re looking for a luxurious and immersive safari experience, Adere Safari Lodge is a must-visit destination. Perched on a ridge that overlooks much of Uganda’s remote and splendid Kidepo Valley National Park, Adere Safari Lodge offers the visitor great creature comforts – and morning and evening vistas that will stand out in any Uganda sojourn.
The lodge boasts 20 spacious en suite custom designed safari cottages with functional Karamojong inspired touches, exclusive settings in the Wilderness of Kidepo Park to allow you get immersed in a truly African authentic experience unlike any other.
Adere Safari Lodge takes pride in its swimming pool carved out of big rocks. Adere, loosely means Calabash, in Iteso a local language in Uganda. A calabash is an artifact made from the hard shell of a fruit of the gourd family which is dried and hollowed out for serving or storing food and other items. Adere, therefore, symbolizes the life-enriching experience and care you will get while at Lodge and this is what makes our world turn – ensuring that every precious moment spent with us is meaningful, rich, and beautiful. An early morning watch of the sun as it rises, or a community walk and leisurely walk about, may your time at Adere create beautiful Memories.
Mid-Range Accommodation
Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp
There are lodgings you can only visit if you out of options, this wilderness camp which is nestled 4kms from the Katuruk gate just outside the parks southern boundary is not such a place. Aside from featuring safari tents and cabanas looking out across the Narus valley to the Morungole Mountains, her facilities are top notch and always clean. Their claim to fame is the special rates for East African residents that they offer.
Buffalo Rock
Like her sister camping site in Murchison Falls National Park, buffalo rock majors in offering camping facilities here too. Whether is basic camps with a capacity of two persons or a luxurious family tent with a capacity of eight, they have it all. They also provide affordable transportation.
Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Nestled just 500 mt away from Kalokudo gate, the lodge is literally on a stone’s throw from the Park. The lodge offers unparalleled vistas of the expansive Narus Valley, Mount Morungole and the distant mountain ranges which form the border with Southern Sudan. The lodge is inspired by the savannah surroundings, the grasslands, rocky outcrops, and by the Karamajong, the tribe with their typical manyatta.
The terrace offers the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding landscape and nature. Many different birds can be observed up close. Excellent restaurant and bar, varied and delicious food, vegetarian option always present. Breakfast is plentiful and served at the requested time. The surroundings are well looked after, the staff are always attentive, smiling and helpful without being too intrusive.
Budget Accommodation
Apoka Rest Camp
Nestled at the south western wing of the park, these Uganda Wildlife Authority run Banda’s provide every basic lodging budget travelers, En-suit Banda’s and Banda’s with shared facilities. A restaurant serves meals on site at the lodge that once served as accommodation to game rangers. Like atypical budget lodge. The rooms here are not as fascinating as that of a luxurious lodge. However, they are large and comfortable with en suite shower plenty of hot water.
UWA Campsite
Kakine and Nagusokopire
If camping in the wild is still pending on your list, this option is a must. Due to their strategic location at the Narus Valley, a part of the park that experiences less game drive traffic, the possibility of seeing all the wildlife here is almost guaranteed. If you want to feel the pulse of the park at night without necessary delving into the darkness, a campfire will be organized for you. For safety, you will be accompanied by a guide. Showers and latrines are available, but plan your own camping gear, drinking water and cooking equipment.