True Wilderness
Explore vast, unspoilt valleys framed by mountains, with very few other visitors and a powerful sense of space.
Uganda National Parks
Kidepo Valley National Park
Vast golden valleys ringed by rugged mountains, lions on rocky outcrops and barely another vehicle in sight: Kidepo is the true African wilderness.
- Location
- Northeast Uganda, near South Sudan & Kenya
- Size
- 1,442 km²
- Known For
- Remote wilderness & big cats
- Best Time
- September – March
Discover Kidepo
The true African wilderness.
Kidepo Valley National Park has been described as one of the purest African national parks waiting to be discovered, and travel guides including Lonely Planet have praised it as one of Uganda's most untouched areas and among Africa's finest parks. It is famed for its blend of cultural experiences, iconic wildlife drives, breathtaking views and exceptional nature tours.
Often referred to as the true African wilderness, Kidepo is tucked into the remote northeastern corner of Uganda between the borders of South Sudan and Kenya, around 700 km from Kampala. It is the most isolated of Uganda's parks, covering 1,442 km² of expansive savannah, mountain forests and dense acacia woodland along the Lorupei River.
Kidepo is rich in wildlife, with over 80 mammal species recorded, around 28 of which are found in no other Ugandan national park. It is a bird paradise, with over 463 species recorded, ungulates are abundant, and five primate species live here, including the Kavirondo bushbaby. Beyond the wildlife, visits to Karamojong homesteads and the IK people of the mountains add a rich cultural dimension.
Why Kidepo
Uganda's wildest and most rewarding secret.
Kidepo rewards those who make the journey with dramatic scenery, superb predator sightings and a sense of solitude that few African parks can match.
Big Cats and Rare Species
Look for lions, cheetahs, leopards and species found nowhere else in Uganda's parks, such as the striped hyena, bat-eared fox and caracal.
The Narus Valley
A valley that holds water through the dry season, attracting large concentrations of wildlife and giving year-round sightings.
Birding Paradise
Over 463 species, from the ostrich, the world's largest bird, to the Kori bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds, and a remarkable array of raptors.
Karamojong and IK Cultures
Visit Karamojong homesteads, known as manyattas, and meet the IK people of the Morungole Mountains for unforgettable cultural encounters.
Location
Where is Kidepo Valley National Park?
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the far northeast of Uganda, in the Karamoja region, bordering South Sudan to the northwest and close to the Kenyan border to the east. It is around 700 km from Kampala, a long road journey of roughly 10 to 12 hours, usually via Gulu and Kitgum or via Mbale and Moroto, and many travellers break the drive with a night along the way. Travellers starting at Entebbe International Airport should add around an hour.
The easiest way to reach Kidepo is by air. Scheduled and charter flights from Entebbe and Kampala land at Apoka airstrip, close to the park headquarters, in around two hours. A popular option is to fly in and out, or to drive one way and fly the other, possibly combined with Murchison Falls National Park.
When to visit
Kidepo through the seasons.
Kidepo has a semi-arid climate with a single main rainy season. The dry months concentrate wildlife around the remaining water and offer the best game viewing.
Dry Season
The best time for wildlife, as the Kidepo Valley dries and animals gather in the Narus Valley around permanent water. Hot days and clear skies.
Early Rains
The first rains turn the valleys green and many animals disperse, while birdlife becomes especially active.
Wet Season
Lush grasslands and dramatic skies. Some tracks can be difficult, but scenery is at its best and visitors are very few.
What is the best month to visit Kidepo?
The dry season from September to March brings the best game viewing, while the green months reward birders and lovers of dramatic scenery.
Hot and dry, with wildlife concentrated in the Narus Valley.
One of the driest months, offering excellent predator sightings around water.
Still dry and hot, with great game viewing before the rains arrive.
The rains begin, turning the valleys green and making birding superb.
Lush landscapes and active birdlife, with wildlife more dispersed.
Wet and green, with dramatic scenery and very few visitors.
Rains continue, though game viewing in the Narus Valley remains rewarding.
Green valleys and impressive skies; some tracks can be muddy.
The dry season begins and animals start returning to the Narus Valley.
Excellent game viewing as the land dries and the grass shortens.
Dry and clear, with wildlife concentrating around water sources.
Hot, dry and rewarding, with superb sightings and spectacular sunsets.
Explore the area
Explore the landscapes of Kidepo.
Kidepo is defined by two great valleys, surrounded by mountains, with cultural communities living around its edges.
SouthwestNarus ValleyThe park's wildlife heartland, which holds water through the dry season and draws lions, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes and antelopes for great sightings in every season.
NorthKidepo Valley & Kanangorok Hot SpringsA wide valley of sandy riverbeds and Borassus palms, leading to the Kanangorok hot springs near the South Sudan border.
CentralApokaThe park headquarters and lodge area, overlooking the Narus Valley, and the starting point for walks and hikes in the nearby Lamoj Mountains.
SoutheastMorungole MountainsRugged mountains on the park's edge, home to the IK people and offering spectacular hiking and views.
Around the ParkKaramojong ManyattasTraditional homesteads of the Karamojong pastoralists, where you can learn about their cattle culture, dress and customs.
Wildlife
Wildlife found nowhere else in Uganda.
Kidepo's semi-arid savannah supports over 80 mammal species, many of them associated with the dry country of northern Kenya and South Sudan. Driving through the park you may see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild's giraffes, Jackson's hartebeest, Uganda kob, zebras and eland, along with specialities such as the striped hyena, bat-eared fox, aardwolf and caracal.
For birders, Kidepo is one of Uganda's finest destinations, with over 450 recorded species, from the ostrich and the Kori bustard to the Karamoja apalis, Abyssinian roller and an outstanding number of raptors. Five primate species are also found here, including the Kavirondo bushbaby.
12 animals to look for
Lion
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Narus Valley, often on rocky outcrops
Kidepo's lions are known for resting on kopjes, giving superb photographic opportunities.
1 / 12
Cheetah
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Open plains of the Narus Valley
Kidepo is the only national park in Uganda where cheetahs are regularly seen.
2 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Rocky hills and riverine woodland
Elusive but present, especially around rocky areas and the valley edges.
3 / 12
Elephant
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Narus Valley and woodlands
Large herds move through the park, often seen in the Narus Valley.
4 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Narus Valley
Big herds graze near water in the dry season, a classic Kidepo sight.
5 / 12
Rothschild's giraffe
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Narus Valley
Elegant giraffes browse the acacias of the valley floor.
6 / 12
Jackson's hartebeest
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open grasslands
A long-faced antelope commonly seen in the savannah.
7 / 12
Zebra
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Narus Valley grasslands
Kidepo is one of the few places in Uganda to see zebras.
8 / 12
Bat-eared fox
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Dry grasslands
A charming small fox with huge ears, a dry-country speciality.
9 / 12
Striped hyena
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Remote dry areas
Rare and mainly nocturnal, found in Uganda only in Kidepo.
10 / 12
Ostrich
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Kidepo Valley plains
The world's largest bird roams the drier northern plains.
11 / 12
Kori bustard
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open grasslands
One of the heaviest flying birds, striding slowly across the plains.
12 / 12
The Narus Valley
A valley that never runs dry.
The Narus Valley is the heart of Kidepo's wildlife. Even during the driest months, it holds enough water to support animals throughout the dry spells, acting as a magnet for buffaloes, elephants, giraffes and antelopes, and for the lions and cheetahs that follow them.
Game drives here reveal sweeping savannah, rocky kopjes and mountains on every horizon, with wildlife sightings that add a special taste to your trip whatever the season. Watching lions survey the plains from a rocky outcrop at sunset is one of Uganda's most memorable safari moments.
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The story behind Kidepo.
Kidepo lies in Karamoja, home to the Karamojong, pastoralists whose lives revolve around cattle and who are sometimes called the Maasai of Uganda. Visits to their manyattas reveal a proud culture of traditional dress, body adornment, cattle herding, milking and traditional foods, followed by walks through the Kidepo River Valley and its Borassus palm forests.
In the Morungole Mountains live the IK, a small ethnic group with their own unique language and a distinct culture, whose history has been shaped by displacement from their traditional lands. Their self-reliance has sometimes been misunderstood by outsiders, and a respectful visit offers a much richer insight into their lives and resilience today.
Kidepo was gazetted as a national park in 1962. Its remoteness has protected it from mass tourism, and conservation efforts continue to safeguard its unique wildlife while building partnerships with surrounding communities so that they benefit from the park.
How do I get to Kidepo Valley National Park?
You can drive from Kampala, around 700 km and roughly 10 to 12 hours, or fly to Apoka airstrip in about two hours. Many travellers fly at least one way.
How many days should I spend in Kidepo?
Three nights is ideal to make the long journey worthwhile, allowing several game drives, a cultural visit and a hike.
What is the best time to visit Kidepo?
The dry season from September to March, when wildlife concentrates in the Narus Valley. The wet months are green and excellent for birding.
Is Kidepo safe to visit?
Yes. Kidepo is regularly visited by tourists, and safaris are guided by experienced drivers and Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. We always check current conditions before travel.
What animals can I see in Kidepo?
Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hartebeest, kob and rare species such as bat-eared fox, striped hyena and caracal, plus over 450 bird species.
Can I visit local communities near Kidepo?
Yes. Visits to Karamojong manyattas and to the IK people in the Morungole Mountains are rewarding cultural experiences.
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