UGANDA’S REMOTE WILDERNESS

Kidepo Valley National Park

Vast savannah, big game and the empty horizons of Karamoja

Why Visit

Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1,442 km² of rugged savannah, seasonal river valleys and mountain foothills in Uganda’s remote northeastern corner (Karamoja region). Gazetted as a game reserve in 1958 and upgraded to national park status in 1962, it borders South Sudan to the northwest and lies just a few kilometres from Kenya. The park is framed by distant mountain ranges, including Mount Morungole, and is drained by the seasonal Kidepo and Narus rivers.

Often described as one of East Africa’s last true wildernesses, Kidepo supports more than 77 mammal species and over 475 bird species. It is the only Ugandan park where you can reliably see cheetah, ostrich and several other dry-country specialists. Large herds of buffalo and elephant, lions on rocky outcrops, Rothschild’s giraffe and plains zebra roam open grasslands that feel far removed from the more visited parks of the south and west.

Big-Game Wilderness

Four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo) plus Uganda’s only reliable cheetah and ostrich populations.

Exceptional Birdlife

Over 475 recorded species, including many dry-country and regional specials found nowhere else in Uganda.

Open Landscapes

Endless savannah, rocky kopjes, seasonal rivers and mountain backdrops that create some of the most cinematic scenery in East Africa.

Living Cultures of Karamoja

Authentic encounters with the traditional pastoralist Karamojong and the hunter-gatherer Ik people who live around the park.

Top Things To Do

Game Drives

Explore the wildlife-rich Narus Valley (the park’s core viewing area, especially in the dry season) and the more scenic Kidepo Valley. Morning, afternoon and night drives reveal large herds of buffalo and elephant, lions, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, eland, hartebeest and a wide range of antelope. Night drives add the chance of aardwolf, bat-eared fox, genet and other nocturnal species.

Guided Nature Walks & Hiking

Accompanied walks through the Narus Valley or along the dry Kidepo riverbed offer an intimate way to experience the landscape, tracks and smaller wildlife. Longer hikes lead into the foothills of Mount Morungole for sweeping views and a chance to visit Ik communities.

Bird Watching

One of Uganda’s top birding destinations. Look for ostrich, secretary bird, kori bustard, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Karamoja apalis, Clapperton’s francolin, rose-ringed parakeet, numerous raptors and a host of dry-country specials across open plains and riverine woodland.

Cultural Experiences

Visit Karamojong manyattas (homesteads) to learn about their cattle-centred culture, traditional dances, beadwork and way of life. Encounters with the smaller Ik community on the slopes of Mount Morungole add further cultural depth.