Camping in Kidepo National Park is one of the most authentic ways to interact with wildlife. Aside from being a less expensive way to visit the park, your Uganda safari tour allows you to get up close and personal with the animals. Camping is done on the ridges of the Narus valley in Kidepo National Park.
This area in Kidepo is the main source of water during the dry season, and all wildlife congregates here to quench their thirst. Your Uganda wildlife safari includes an armed guide to protect you from wild animals. A fire is kept going all night to keep animals away from the site.
Kakine Campsite
The most popular site for camping in Kidepo valley National Park is Kakine. It has a beautiful view of the Narus valley and the savannah grasslands. The site has a restroom with running water. Furthermore, there is a telescope that allows you to view wildlife in the distance. The camp site has two huts where you can cook and store your supplies. The location is close to the park headquarters. You wake up at the camp site to the sounds of buffaloes and elephants grazing. The fresh air is relaxing and leaves a lasting impression. The stars, the roars of the lions and the hyenas make this camping experience worth it. Sunsets at the Kakine camp site are breathtaking. Enjoy the ranger-created night campfire.
Nagusokopire Campsite
This campgrounds is located on the park’s western edge and are popular for camping in Kidepo valley National park. The site also has a toilet block with running water, as well as huts for cooking and storing supplies. This camp site provides breathtaking views of the Narus valley and the Narus valley. During your Uganda wildlife safari, you will be able to see a variety of wildlife. On your camping safari to Kidepo, you can easily spot zebras and waterbucks in the valley. An armed guide will keep the fires burning all night.
Apoka Rest Camp
Apoka Rest Camp features a vast and open property that is popular for camping. If you want to go camping, you can do so, but you must provide your own camping equipment because the lodge merely provides a camping site.
No tents or bedding are provided on your camping safari to Kidepo. You will need to bring your own. You will have the option of preparing your own meals or driving to the Apoka safari camp (if camping at Kakine camp site) or Kidepo savannah lodge (if camping at Nagusokopire). It is recommended that you bring some warm clothing with you because it can get chilly in the evenings and mornings. Remember to bring portable lamps to help you navigate the campsite.
About Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park was gazatted in by government of Uganda in 1962 covering a total surface area of 1,442 KM. Kidepo valley is composed of savannah grassland and wood land and was ranked the wildest park in Africa by CNN in 2015.It lies in the semi-arid valleys between Uganda’s border with Kenya and South Sudan. Its composed of open flat plains which allow a lot of wildlife to graze and thrive. The highest point stands at 914m and the lowest point is at 2,750m above sea level. Kidepo valley national park hosts over 77 mammals including Cheetah, Leopard, Lions, buffaloes, elephants, Zebra, warthogs, and different species of antelopes most of which are found in Narus valley. Kidepo Valley National Park has 2 seasonal rivers and they include Narus and Kidepo which disappear during dry season, and re-appear during the rainy seasons.
It’s the furthest national park from the city center Kampala which is around 700k from Kampala but once you get there, it’s worth rewarding with a lot of wildlife in the finest wilderness area. Apoka is the hub of tourism activities which also hosts the visitor information center and UWA Apoka Bandas and other camping sites, Apoka Safari lodge and Kidepo air strip.
Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game Drives
Narus Valley is where most drives take place because many wild animals congregate here, especially in March. Tourists usually have a clear view because the savannah grassland at the park is low due to a lack of rain, and the lions and other big cats are mostly seen on the rocks of kopjes looking for food. The game drive is best in the morning because most wild animals are looking for food. Some game drives can be organized for afternoon and night.
Occasionally, game drives are conducted along Kidepo Valley, where tourists can enjoy the sand bed river “oasis” in the desert. The valley has palm trees and a large number of birds, and is only visible during the dry season. Because Kidepo Valley National Park is a Ugandan desert with tsetse flies crossing the Sand bed River, this is best done in the morning before it gets too hot.
Bird Watching
When it comes to this activity, this is a fantastic view for birders. The park has a wide variety of birds, some of which are not found in other birding areas in Uganda. The park is ranked second in Uganda for its variety of bird species, and this activity is what drives the park’s popularity. Over 50 species of outstanding bird prey have been recorded in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Sand Bed alongside the Kidepo River
This experience is done during the dry season and is extremely interesting, as one enjoys the wildlife experience while listening to a variety of birds enjoy the sound of their voices in the air. The sand bed is located in the northern part of the park and is lined by Borassus Palms, giving it the appearance of an oasis in the desert.
Nature Walks
This can be done at any time of day around Apoka Camp, and tourists can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as Elephants, Reedbuck, Zebra, and a few others that have not been mentioned. These are best in the morning because tourists can observe the animals closely as they hunt for food.
Climbing Mountain Morungole
This activity is led by IK staff who are more familiar with the animals in this area of the park. Trekking and hiking through varying nature and rocky terrain with spectacular views of the park are involved. The IK people usually entertain tourists with various dances, their unique migration history, their life, and many other things.
Community Tour
The Karamojong people, Uganda’s most remote people, surround Kidepo Valley National Park. Daily visits to their community are always organized, where you will see a number of traditional houses, their culture, traditional dances, and their handcrafted stools, spears, and hand bungles made from beads.
