4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK EXCURSI-UGANDA
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah lodge
OVERVIEW
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks and it is located in Uganda’s remote north eastern corner. It lies in the rugged, semiarid valleys between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya, some 700km from Kampala. Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species as well as around 475 bird species. The park is 1,442km2 in Size and its altitude ranges between 914m and 2,750m above sea level.
Kidepo National Park contains two rivers – Kidepo and Narus – which disappear in the dry season, leaving just pools for the wildlife. The local communities around the park include pastoral Karamojong people, similar to the Masai of Kenya, and the IK, a hunter-gatherer tribe whose survival is threatened.
Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa’s 3rd finest wildernesses. From Apoka, in the heart of the park, a savannah landscape extends far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges.
During the dry season, the only permanent water in the park is found in wetlands and remnant pools in the broad Narus Valley near Apoka. These seasonal oases, combined with the open, savannah terrain, make the Narus Valley the park’s prime game viewing location. Kidepo Valley N.P. was rated 3rd best National Park in Africa by CNN.
INCLUSIONS
- 3 nights accommodation
- National Park fees and Professional guide
- Bottled water, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hotel pickup and drop-off and Transport by air-conditioned minivan
EXCLUSIONS
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Departure Point: Airport, Hotel in Entebbe or Kampala City
Departure Time: 7:00 am, Hotel pickups commence prior to this time
Return Point: Entebbe Airport, Hotel in Entebbe or Kampala City
WHAT TO EXPECT – ITINERARY
Day 1: Pickup from Kampala and travel to Kidepo Valley National Park. You will start the drive to Kidepo with lunch en route at Gulu town Continue to drive past Kitgum town and be driven through Karamoja land up to Kidepo Valley National park. The park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end in a rugged horizon. A huge latitudinal range and correspondingly wide climatic conditions have evolved an extremely diverse flora. Unique birds are found here like the Ostrich, kori bustard and secretary with 463 bird species. Overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 2: Two game drives. Early morning after breakfast, you will do a game drive. You will most likely be able to view those animals that are unique to the African Savannah like giraffes, antelopes, lions, elephants, hyenas, buffaloes and the Uganda Kobs. The splendid Kidepo river valley is dominated by the Borassus palm forest, the startling savannah landscape and the stunning view of the Narus valley situated in the southwest of the park. To the north of Sudan at the Lotukei Mountains and the Morongole range which marks the southern boundary of the park and ends the trail at the Kanangorok hot spring with a view of a number of faunas that can be seen wandering around like the tall Ostrich. After you will be driven back to Park bandas for lunch and resting. After lunch and relaxing, you will take on another game drive in the evening exploring different wildlife in the area. Seeing herds of buffaloes, elephants and a variety of birds like ostrich herons, OR visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Another game drive in a different area. You will have another morning in the park exploring different wildlife in Kidepo. The game drive will give you a chance for bird watching having a chance to see some of the rear bird and animal species like the cheetah and hunting dog, bat fox and striped hyena, gazelles, zebras, Rothschild’s giraffes, antelope species including roan antelope, bushbuck, boho reed buck Jackson’s hartebeest, Buffaloes, Elands, Bushbucks, Waterbucks, Elephants and the jackal, From here you will understand by the end of the tour why their pride makes them slow to adapt to the dynamic world and their love for cattle is comparable to the better known Masai of Kenya and Tanzania. After lunch, you will make a visit to the Karamajong community and learn about their lifestyle.
Day 4: Morning after breakfast you will be driven back to Kampala. Arrival will be in the evening, then head to Entebbe airport for your evening flight back home or drop off to Hotel in Kampala.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Confirmation will be received within 24 hours of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The dress code is smart casual
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at the time of booking for all participants
- This is a private tour/activity so only your group will participate
- A scheduled Flight can be arranged from Entebbe airport to Kidepo National Park at an Extra fee.
