Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park
Tucked into the far northeastern corner of Uganda bordering South Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1,442 square kilometers of rugged, semi-arid savannah celebrated for its massive buffalo herds, rare dry-country species, and dramatic mountain backdrops.
▶ WATCH VIDEO- • Cape Buffalo
- • Lion
- • Cheetah
- • African Elephant
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Gazetted in 1962 - the year Uganda gained independence - Kidepo Valley National Park protects 1,442 square kilometers of untamed wilderness in the remote Karamoja sub-region. Flanked by Mount Morungole and bounded by the international borders of South Sudan and Kenya, the park comprises two distinct river valleys: the Narus Valley in the south and the Kidepo Valley in the north.
The lifeblood of the park is the broad, fertile Narus Valley. While the Kidepo River dries into a wide bed of white sand lined by borassus palms during the dry season, the Narus Valley retains permanent water swamps and remnant oases. This creates a high concentration of big game, including thousands-strong Cape buffalo herds, Nubian giraffes, plains zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas. Kidepo’s geographical isolation protects a unique semi-arid biodiversity not found anywhere else in Uganda, including dry-country species like the ostrich, caracal, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, and kudus. Rich in indigenous cultural history, the park’s surrounding lands are inhabited by the traditional pastoralist Karamojong people and the endangered Ik tribe - an isolated hunter-gatherer community dwelling high on the peaks of Mount Morungole.
SIZE
Kidepo Valley National Park is 1,442 square kilometers (km²) in size.
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), East Africa Tourist Visa or Uganda Tourist E-Visa, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, valid park entry ticket/permit issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
- Driving inside the park is permitted between 06:30 AM and 07:00 PM; unauthorized night drives are strictly prohibited.
- Adhere to the park speed limit of 40 km/h to protect wildlife crossing tracks.
- Off-track driving is strictly prohibited to preserve the fragile semi-arid soil and vegetation cover.
- Wildlife has the absolute right of way across all roads and tracks.
- Do not alight from your vehicle except at designated ranger posts, Apoka Information Centre, or official campsites.
- All nature walks and mountain hikes (e.g., Mount Morungole) must be accompanied by an armed UWA ranger.
- Do not make loud noises, feed, or tease wild animals; keep a safe distance of at least 25 meters.
- Do not collect, remove, or disturb any flora, fauna, or natural features.
- Pack out all trash and plastic waste; littering inside the park is illegal.
- Drones are strictly forbidden without express written authorization from UWA and the Civil Aviation Authority.
HOW TO GET THERE
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By Air: Scheduled and charter bush flights fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kidepo/Apoka Airstrip (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours flight time).
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By Road: A scenic 10-to-12-hour drive from Kampala/Entebbe via Gulu or Kitgum using a 4x4 safari cruiser.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park: September to March (Peak Dry Season when wildlife concentrates heavily around the permanent water oases of the Narus Valley)
WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE
KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK GALLERY
LODGES & CAMPS - ACCOMMODATION OVERVIEW
Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Kidepo Savannah Lodge is an intimate tented camp overlooking the Narus Valley, o...
VIEW LODGE ›POINTS OF INTEREST
FAQS
It is located in the far north-eastern corner of Uganda in the Karamoja sub-region, bordering South Sudan and Kenya.
You can see four of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffaloes. Rhinos are absent (found only at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary).
Yes, Kidepo is very safe. Tourism infrastructure and security in the region are well-established under UWA protection.
It is approximately 520 km to 600 km away, taking around 10 to 12 hours of driving.
Yes, Kidepo is one of the very few destinations in Uganda where cheetahs can be spotted.
Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing for hot daytime temperatures, warm layers for early mornings/nights, and sturdy hiking boots.
Yes, guided nature walks are popular and must be conducted with an armed UWA ranger guide.
You can visit the local Karamojong cultural Manyattas (villages) or hike up Mount Morungole to meet the indigenous Ik tribe.
A minimum of 3 to 4 days is recommended due to its remote location and vast safari areas.
Yes, like most parts of Uganda, Kidepo is a malaria risk zone; preventative medication and insect repellent are advised.
TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
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