Attractions in Kidepo national park are the unique features which are found around the destination. Kidepo national park is found in the north eastern part of Uganda and it is known for its true wilderness.
The beauty of Kidepo national park can be seen during tours around the destination which is made up of savannah plains, rock outcrops, seasonal rivers and also mountains which act as habitat for the different wildlife species.
The different attractions which can be seen around Kidepo national park include the following;
Wildlife species
Kidepo national park is a safari destination which is famous for Uganda wildlife viewing and it is among the savannah parks of Uganda.
Wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around Kidepo national park include elephants, zebras, giraffes, elands, hartebeests, buffalos, oribis, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, klipspringers, jackals, aardwolf, caracals, reedbucks, dik dik among others. Four of the big 5 can be seen during Uganda safaris around the national park.
These wildlife species can be seen at anytime of the year and the best time to see them is during the dry season around June to October when the animals can be spotted around waterholes. Wildlife viewing around Kidepo national park can be done at anytime of the year.
Culture
Culture also brings visitors to Kidepo national park and during cultural tours, tourists get to know more about the way of life of the locals and also their traditional lifestyle.
Experiencing the culture of the people who live around Kidepo national park involves interacting with locals such as the Ik and also the Karamojong people. Going to the homesteads of the locals is also part of the cultural experience at the destination.
The Karamojong are known for their nomadic way of life and they survive on their livestock such as cattle and goats among others. They also have local arts and crafts like beaded jewelry which can purchased when visiting Kidepo national park.
On Mount Morugole, the Ik people can be encountered during tours in Kidepo national park. The Ik people are also said to be the smallest group of people in Uganda and they are known for their unique culture.
Mount Morugole
Mount Morugole is another attraction in Kidepo national park and it is found on the southern boundary of the national park.
Hiking is among the activities which are carried out on Mount Morugole during safaris to Kidepo national park. The hike to the top and descent takes about 8 hours and it is an exciting experience during which you can also enjoy taking pictures of the surrounding areas and also enjoy views of the Kidepo plains and beyond.
The Ik people also live on this mountain and can be visited during cultural tours in Uganda. They are the smallest ethnic group in Uganda and they are known for their unique culture and way of life.
The mountain is at a height of about 2750 meters and it is also the highest point in Kidepo national park. Mount Morugole is also the source for Kidepo river and also the Narus river.
Narus valley
When visiting Kidepo national park during a tour in Uganda, another attraction which can be seen is the Narus valley.
The Narus valley is a major source of water for wildlife species around Kidepo national park and the valley starts from Mount Morugole to the northern parts of the park towards south Sudan.
the valley consists of grasslands, acacia trees as well as river Narus which is also a permanent source of water in Kidepo national park. Wildlife species such as lions, elephants, hartebeests, oribi, zebras, kudu, reedbucks, waterbucks, buffalos, dik dik, jackals, warthogs among others can be seen around the Narus valley during safaris in Kidepo national park.
Different bird species such as ostriches, secretary birds, black breasted barbets, little weavers, yellow billed hornbill among others can also be seen around the Narus valley during tours in Kidepo national park.
Kanangorok hot springs
Kanangorok hot springs can also be seen when visiting Kidepo national park and they are found about 2 hours drive from Apoka.
The hot springs are found in the wilderness of the national park and can be seen after travelling through bushes and thickets as well as thorny acacias. the Kanangorok hot springs are found between a hard rock and the temperature of the water is over 50 degrees Celsius.
The locals around Kidepo national park offer sacrifices at the Kanangorok hot springs as a way of appeasing the gods who they are believed are angered which led to the formation of the springs.
Other attractions which can be seen around Kidepo national park include the Namamukweny valley, Lonyili mountain, Lomej hills and many more.
Kidepo national park is among the savannah parks of Uganda and some of the activities which are done at the destination include game drives, guided nature walks, hiking, bird watching, cultural encounters.
The best time to visit Kidepo national park to see the different attractions and also engage in the various activities is during the dry season from June, July, August, September and also around December, January and February. the vegetation during these months makes t easier to spot the wildlife species during a safari since the grass is thinner. Wildlife species also tend to gather around the water sources during this time of the year.
Kidepo national park is however a destination which can be visited any time of the year including the wet or rainy season when the number of visitors at the destination is fewer as compared to the high season. the wet or rainy season takes place around March, April and May as well as around November which is also a good time for bird watching around the destination.
During tours to Kidepo national park, visitors can choose to drive or to fly to the national park. The drive to the destination is very long and it takes about 14 hours via Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto and Kotido. The flights to Kidepo can be got from Entebbe international airport to Apoka airstrip.
Visit Uganda and experience the true wilderness as you explore Kidepo national park.