(The True African Wilderness)
Located in Uganda’s distant north-eastern corner, close to Kenya and South Sudan and forming the farthest extremity of the remote, sparsely populated karamoja region, kidepo represents one of Africa’s most magnificent wildernesses. Tourist’s favorites including elephants, buffalos, giraffe, zebra, eland, lion, cheetah and ostrich, roam grasslands that extend towards distant mountain ranges in all directions. This ia also an area of rich cultural interest the plains beyond the park are dotted with the manyattas (homesteads) of the fiercely traditional karamojong pastoralists. The fastest route to kidepo is by air but overland travel is also an option. Thanks to ongoing road improvements in the region, growing numbers of visitors are exploring an exciting new north-eastern safari circuit including Murchison, Kidepo, Karamoja and Mount Elgon.
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in Uganda’s remote northeastern Karamoja region. It is known for its dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant cultural heritage. It is approximately 1,442km2; Kidepo Valley National Park encompasses semi-arid plains, rugged hills, and the Narus and Kidepo river valleys. It’s diverse habitats range from open savannahs to acacia woodlands supporting a variety of flora and fauna. The park is home to the Karamojong and Ik communities, each with distinct cultural practices. Kidepo Valley National Park boasts a high level of biodiversity, hosting at least 86 mammal species including lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs and giraffes. Notably, 28 of these species are not found in any other Ugandan national parks. It is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 475 bird species recorded including the ostrich and the Karamoja apalis. The park offers a variety of activities including game drives bird watching, nature walks and hiking among others. The park is accessible by road from Kampala taking approximately 10-12 hours or by air via chartered flights to the Kidepo airstrip.
