THE ULTIMATE WILDERNESS
One of Uganda’s most spectacular parks. It is 1,442 sq km and harbors scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. ‘it could not be any better’ is a common moment on the scenery by visitors who often promise and do come back to Kidepo. Tucked into the corner of Uganda’s border with sudan and Kenya, the park offers a breath taking savannah landscapes which end in rugged horizon. A huge latitudinal range and correspondingly wide climatic conditions have evolved an extremely diverse flora. As a result the variety of animal species in the park is equally abundant including many many which are found no where else in Uganda.
Located on the Sudan border on the farthest corner of wild Karamoja district, kidepo is one of Africa’s most magnificent wildernesses. Big game favorites – elephants, giraffe , zebra, eland, hartebeest, lion, hyena and cheetah, and perhaps Africa’s largest herd of buffalo – roam rolling grasslands that extend in all directions towards distant mountain ranges. Wildlife also includes species that are rare or absent from other Ugandan protected areas such as aardwolf, bat-eared fox, cheetah striped hyena and ostrich. Its isolation means that Kidepo is little visited and visitors can expect to enjoy a high degree of solitude.
ACCOMMODATION: Includes upmarket lodge, basic cottages and wilderness campsites.
TRAVEL: Until recently, most visitors flew to kidepo. However, since the end of a long running rebellion in northern Uganda, and following improvements to roads in the region, tourists commonly travel overland to kidepo from kampala and Murchison falls.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS: Nyero rock paintings near Kumi.
Accommodation; At the park it self, there are 16 self contained chalets at Apoka Rest Camp. Ther is also a hostel comprising of 14 bandas each with two beds; these bandas are self contained. Both Apoka Lodge and the Bandas are managed by the park. Make your reservations through Uganda Wildlife authority headquarters in Kampala.
For visitors who enjoy camping, the park has two ‘Do it your self’ campsites. You must bring your camp and other camping equipment.
Accessibility;
Kampala – Lira – Kotido – Kidepo – 705 km
Kampala – Mbale – Soroti – Moroto – Kidepo – 792km
Kampala – Mbale – Sironko – Kotido – Kidepo – 740km
Kampala – Soroti – Kotido via Amuria 656km
Driving is more rewarding as vast parts of Karamoja are scenic and total wilderness. However, road conditions are some times difficult and 4-wheeled vehicles (4WD) are recommended. Visitors should note that the road mainly in use from Kotido to Kaabong passes via Kanawauat.
Visitors intending to travel by road are advised to contact UWA HEAD QUARTERS TO SEEK advice about conditions and safety on the roads. Chartered aircraft are available from Entebbe international airport to the park headquarters. The civil aviation authority manages an airstrip at Lomej about 3 km south of the park head quarters.