Kidepo National Park
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Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the rugged, semi-arid 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.
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 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.
The government body responsible for managing the Kidepo Valley National Park is the Uganda Wildlife Authority together with the Uganda tourism Board with support from several wildlife conservation Agencies. The park entrance of Kidepo Valley National Park is 40 Usd, although there are some other option activities like Bird watching costing 30 Usd Kidepo Lonyili summit hike at 50 Usd pp
The main Activity of Kidepo being game drives, it makes it an all-time rounder. This means you can visit this park at any time of the year although during the wet season the roads can be an bearable even with a 4WD
The dry season of Uganda run from June to August and December to February, although June and July are the driest month. But again Uganda be at the Equator don’t get surprised when it rains. The wet season run from March to April and September to November
While in Kidepo Valley National park light clothing is useful mostly in the dry season it can even be humid.
The greatest health risks in Uganda are accidents and malaria. Much of Uganda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are recommended. Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medicines and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk.
Travellers should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, following the advice of their local healthcare provider, and should consider bringing a small first aid kit. A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination and covid-19 negative certificate is required at arrival.
As of 1st January 2018, nationals of all countries receive a visa on arrival at Entebbe International Airport and all land borders.
Kidepo Valley National park can be reached by air and road. The nearest airport and link to the park is Entebbe international airport in Uganda’s capital Kampala. Uganda Airlines, RwandAir, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and KLM all have flights to Entebbe international Airport. There are also domestic flights from Entebbe to most of the National Parks in Uganda still from Entebbe, for the sake of Kidepo one can fly from Entebbe to Kidepo Airport.
For further advice on planning your Kidepo Valley National park, simply enquire with one of our local Safari Experts.
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Costs
A single entry tourist visa costs US $50 (exclusions apply for select countries and is valid for 90 days)
A multiple Tourist Visa US $100 (exclusions apply for select countries and is valid for 12 months)
The East African Tourist Visa (EATV) covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, costs US $100 and is valid for 90 days.