Kidepo Valley is located in Northeast of Uganda, amidst the jagged scorched Naurus valleys, is the most spectacular pristine wildlife gem there is in Africa.  From the jagged hills, spread with golden grass, open plains dotted with a variety of wildlife against the soft glow of light this is Kidepo and what you see you will not find anywhere else except in this remote valley at the far east border of Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

And in the night we are reminded of the earth roundness under the canopy of the bright stars, the vast golden green plains punctuated with craggy, rocky outcrops, reveal an even bigger sky.  Under a canopy of impossibly bright stars, this is where we are reminded that the earth is round. Midst the rugged semi-arid Naurus valleys lies the true African wilderness experience. Kidepo Valley National park a magnificent open savanna with stunning scenery, just you and the wildlife. African wilderness as you imagined it. Its rugged beauty and wildlife are incomparable and innumerable.

This rare gem in Uganda is to die for. It is rather isolated from the mainstream of most national parks and thus has remained virgin for a long time. Although the distance is rather long, the benefits exceed the distance. You could charter a flight or there are also scheduled flights to Kidepo and for those seeking after an even more adventurous encounter or on budget you could explore the road option. The route to the park has a lot to offer. If you choose to sleep inside the park it is even more rewarding as you wake up to the sight and melodies of thousands of bird species and wildlife that grace these plains breaking through the stillness of the wild. It is relaxing as you experience nature’s splendour and behold its beauty.

On an early morning game drive on the uncrowded tracks, you could experience the abundance of wildlife like never before. Drive across the savannah hills passing dry river beds and the superb ring of mountains around you, Pursue the landscape here in Kidepo, you could encounter prowling in the savannah steadily following their prey and calculating their every move. You could even encounter some up in the trees, other predators like the hyena, leopard, jackals, cheetahs, large herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, the bat-eared fox, elands, bushbucks, defassa, oribi, hartebeest, Bohor reedbuck, the list goes on and on and finally ostriches. This is the only park in Uganda where they can be found. No game drive is the same even if you took the same route again each game drive unveils a new opportunity, a new gem and even better views.  

An African game drive doesn’t only happen in the morning. There is further magic in the evening game drive. Enjoy a beautiful sunset painted with wildlife, against the towering mountains.  This scenic beauty is indescribable. You could also enjoy an evening drink as you take in the splendour and the tranquillity constant barged in by the one or more of the 475 species that charm this park and the wild lives.

Experience a day in the life of the proud Karamajong who have refused to give into civilization and their love for cattle. These people are similar to the Masai of Kenya in many ways. They believe all cattle belong to them and is a God given right. Prepare a local meal with them, share it, dance play with them and get to experience their life experiences and why they have refused to give in to civilization.

The park is also a splendour to birders with about 475 bird species, with 56 birds of prey including the Verreaux’s eagle owl, Egyptian vulture, pygmy falcon, among others. 14 species are endemic to Kidepo valley. It is also the only park where you can meet the common ostrich.

All that said and done you could finally hike the Morungole Mountain found in the park. On top of this mountain, you will encounter the Ik clan of the Karamajong. They will also share their life experiences and their way of life.

Like mentioned earlier a trip to Kidepo may be demanding in terms of time and finances but the benefits are far much more than you can imagine.