Experiential Kidepo Valley Park – Uganda – Top Things to do and See
Kidepo Valley Park Experiential Activities in and near the Park
The Top Things to Do and See in Kidepo Valley Park. Africa’s Hidden Gem, according to CNN – No other park like it in all of Africa – Africa like it was 50 some years ago – called a “Long-Forgotten Eden” – a place you 
might imagine Africa would be like, but only better.
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of those Out of the Ordinary places in East Africa. It not all of Africa. Africa, as you dreamed about, read about in an Ernest Hemingway account, or one of the Safari tales by Karen Blixen in her “Out of Africa.” Kidepo Valley Park is unspoiled Africa, remote, untouched, unvisited, Africa without the crowds – a park with less than ten new visitors a day, Experiential Africa at its best.
Getting to Kidepo Valley Park is a bit tough, or expensive if you fly in, however, what awaits you far outweighs the cost of a flight or the long journey to the Long-Forgotten Eden.
Kidepo Valley Park is a Tapestry of rugged scenery, vibrant wildlife, Karamojong Warrior Herdsmen, and the Ik people on remote Mount Morungole.
If you love the African Wilderness, this Park is for you and a must for you to do and see.
Kidepo Valley Park is a one of a kind Park not only in Uganda but all of Africa.
Kidepo Valley National Park – is a must-visit for those that want to see Authentic, Raw, Untouched Afric3a without the
crowds – there is no other Park like it in all of Africa.
It is hard to get to – You either fly-in, which is very expensive or you drive to the Park. The drive (12-Hours) takes a lot of time due to the distance from Kampala. The more scenic route from Sipi Falls to Kidepo Parks breaks up the journey, and you are driving through Karamoja, which is quite impressive.
The lodging facilities are few. However, more are coming on-line as the popularity of the Park is on the increase plus the Apoka Rest Camp has significantly been improved to the delight of Budget Travelers.
Presently there 2000-3000 visitors per year, less per ten per day, despite being the best Park for wildlife viewing in Uganda plus unique and enriching cultural experiences with the Karamojong and the Ik People who live near the Park.
Kidepo Valley Park is where the stunning scenery simply takes your breath away. It is just you and a stillness only broken by the cry from the wild. The sounds of the winds sweeping through the valley, you are amazed that such a 
place as Kidepo Valley Park even exists. It is an abundance of wildlife, rough-hewn scenery, and an absence of people. There are no caravans of vehicles meandering down the game tracks. It is merely a scene from Karen Blixen or Ernest Hemingway’s Africa – it is Africa as you imagined it but rarely find in the 21st Century.
There are Lions in abundance-especially during the dry season of the year (even some tree climbing ones) – Elephant and Buffalo herds roaming – Giraffe – leopards – cheetahs – wild dogs – ostriches-pangolins –the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, and hunting dog – antelopes such as eland, bushbuck, bush duskier, Defassa waterbuck, Bohor reedbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, and Oribi.
Birds are abundant, including many raptors – Kidepo Valley National Park has much to offer to the visitor who flies in or has the stamina to drive in – but what awaits the visitor here is well worth the flight or drive here.
This remote, out of the ordinary Park in Uganda, offers the best of the Wild of Africa – it is beyond Kodak moments. It is an authentic experience of the African Wild. Kidepo Valley Park worth your time and effort.
The Top Things to Do and See in Kidepo Valley Park
Game Drives:
Kidepo Valley National Park Game Drives are tracks where you can encounter the Wild of Africa without the crowds. This remote – unvisited Park allows you to see the best of Africa while on a game drive.
Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park depend on where you stay – if you stay at Apoka Lodge you will find that two activities a day such as game drives are included in the price of the room per night,
Other lodges such as Nga Mmoru Wildlife Camp or the Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas mean that like in other wildlife parks, we take you in our safari vehicle on game drives. We always use an Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger, who comes on board to gives you added insight about the wildlife found in the Park.
Kidepo Valley Park offers some of the best game drives in all of Uganda. The best thing is that you feel that you are all alone; it is Africa without the Crowds.
Nature – Bush Walks – Hikes:
Kidepo Valley Park has some great places for Nature and Bush Walks. There is nothing like taking in the African Wild on foot, and there are not many better places to do so than Kidepo Valley Park.
There are also places outside of the parking area where you can go for a hike, such as an all-day hike up the Morungole Mountains to visit the Ik People, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Uganda.
There are many places within the Park where you can hike and or climb, including Idi Amin’s dream lodge that was never completed while he was president of Uganda – may be in the future as more visitors come to the Park it will be.
Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers will guide all Nature Walks and Hikes within the Park. You cannot wander off on your own in this remote Park.
New Hiking Trails were developed in 2019 for you to enjoy in the Park
Birding – Kidepo Valley Park:
Kidepo Valley Park is an excellent place for birders that also would like to enjoy wildlife in the remote Kidepo Valley Park.
Karamojong Village (Manyatta) Visit:
The Karamojong people are Warrior – Nomads – the Karamoja region has often been called the Wild West of Uganda. When Uganda was a British Protectorate – they simply left this area alone. Their pride is their cattle, and in the past, cattle raids were the rule of the day.
Things have calmed down in recent years, and the Karamojong have been disarmed and have become a lot more passive in nature. Cattle is still king. However, subsistence farming has become a lot more common.
This is an arid region, and people have to walk miles to find water. On the other hand, at times, there have been floods here wreaking havoc among the people who live here.
It is a cultural visit that you will find most interesting and give you insights into Authentic Africa and, in particular, insights into the Karamojong People who live and who are related to the Maasai.
Support services from the government and aid agencies have become more prevalent in recent years.
You will need an early morning start to climb up into the Monrungole Mountains for a visit with the Ik Tribe. One of the original tribes in the Northeast Uganda area.
They were here long the Karamojong entered their land. Today they number around 10,000. The first University Student from the Ik Community is enrolled at Kampala International University. She is doing well.
Colin Turnbull wrote a somewhat negative book entitled “The Mountain People” about the Ik, which has been disproved – he had tried to prove that the Ik people were incapable of loving.
It will be one of the highlights of your time in Uganda – learn the ways and culture of the Ik People. This activity will add one day to your safari to Kidepo Valley Park.
The Hike up Mount Morungole is not for the faint of heart. It is an 8 hour round trip. The climb is steep, part of the adventure of the day. You also bring some gifts along for a visit, as is the cultural norm when you visit someone here.
Experiential Wildlife Safaris in Kidepo Valley Park:
Here are Safaris that take in Kidepo Valley Park if you do not see what you would like to do and see in Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo Valley Park is not just another safari park in Africa but an experience of the African Wilderness like no other. Past clients have been amazed as to what awaited them while they took a safari here.
If you do not find a safari that meets your needs – we would love to tailor-make a safari that is just right for you.
Kidepo Valley National Park, unvisited and remote – but not for much longer – not to be missed and more and more choose to visit the Park.
Safaris to Kidepo Valley Park can be adjusted to include other parks such as Murchison Falls Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Sipi Falls, Mount Elgon plus a time on the Nile in Jinja which is famous for its wild water rafting.
Enjoy a Safari in Africa as it used to be – wildlife without the crowds in Kidepo Valley Park.
Safari Tips – Advice – Information:
Practical tips – advice and information that will make your safari a success in Uganda – it begins with preparation while you are at home in your country with things such as a Bradt Travel Guide, which is excellent reading material. There is what to wear while on safari in Uganda, gorilla tracking, and what to wear while on a savannah safari.
What shoes to wear, about binoculars, photo tips while gorilla tracking, the top ten things to bring on a safari, journaling, packing for a safari, safari lodging advice, and more.
More information about safari going to Uganda than you will need. We wrote this for our clients who often had questions, here they find answers and more.
A safari begins with preparing at home – it is a trip of a lifetime. This page will help you along the way.
The Best Experiential Wildlife Park in Uganda:
We think that Kidepo Valley Park is the best all-around wildlife Park in Uganda. Few come here, but they that do rave about their Safari Experience in this remote Park.
There are not many parks in East Africa, in Uganda where you can experience Africa as it was 50 years ago, but you can at Kidepo Valley Park in northeastern Uganda.
We know the undiscovered Karamoja region of Uganda, we are always on the lookout for new experiences in the Park. Beyond that, the experiential African Traveler might enjoy including the original Rock paintings near Moroto. It is a region in Uganda like no other, and we love to take you there and share our discoveries with you.
Kidepo Valley Park is a magnificent, remote, out of the ordinary African Wildlife Park. – lt is Africa as it was over 50 plus years ago. We love to introduce you to the African Wild as it used to be on a Safari to the Park. It will include your choices when it comes to the Top Things to Do and See in Kidepo Valley Park. A park where you will feel all alone – Africa without the Crowds – something that you can only experience in Uganda – the Pearl of Africa.
More Kidepo Valley Park Information:
Safety and Security Kidepo Valley Park
If you like to include the Top Things to Do and See in Kidepo Valley Park Safari – please contact us.
