Reasons to visit Kidepo valley national park
Reasons to visit Kidepo valley national park : The Kidepo Valley National Park, located in the northeastern corner of the country, is one of the best places for your safari in Uganda. It is located miles from the hustle and bustle of the city, but it is well worth the journey.
The park was established as a national park in 1962 and was ranked as CNN’s third-best safari park in Africa in 2017. It is situated on a 1442 square kilometers of open Savannah terrain, vast plains, and mountainous landscapes. The region offers sights that will satisfy the adventurous spirit and please the soul that seeks solitude.
The following are some reasons to visit Kidepo Valley National Park:
- The people and culture of Kidepo and Karamoja
As part of the Karamoja region, the park is located on the border with the Karamojong ethnic group, which consists of two distinct ethnic groups: the Iks and the Karamojong. The Karamojong believe that they own every cow in existence, and it serves as the basis for all their cultures, cuisine, traditions, and ways of life. Kidepo Valley National Park is worth the trip just for the experience of learning about their beliefs, trying to understand their culture, eating their traditional foods, observing their folklore, or taking part in their dance.
- The beautiful scenery of Kidepo Valley National Park
It is a thrilling experience to be on a game drive, surrounded by the woods and the winding dirt roads that evoke memories of the original adventurers who explored Kidepo’s magnificence long before you. There are a number of breathtaking views that your camera shouldn’t miss on your visit to this area, including the vast plains that allow your eyes to travel beyond the terrain your feet could reach, Mt. Morungole, which soars above the plains, and the open, rocky Savannah that dominates the park’s topography.
- The Kanangorok hot springs
Kanangorok Hot Springs is referred to roughly as “the place of black stones”. They are located close to the border between South Sudan and South Africa, and are said to have curative properties for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. You pass the cyclical Kidepo River on the way to the hot springs.
- Abundance Birds species
Kidepo valley national park
In terms of bird diversity, this remote, yet stunning park is home to more than 475 different species of birds, making it only second to Queen Elizabeth National Park in terms of bird diversity. There are certain birds in Kidepo that are unique to the Karamojong area, like the Karamoja Apalis. The Lammergeyer, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pygmy Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Black-Breasted Barbet, Ostrich, and five kinds of hornbills are more bird species that you can cross off your list.
- Wildlife and Flora
A safari in Kidepo valley national park is one of the best safari parks in Africa for wildlife viewing safaris. When you visit Kidepo valley, you can expect to see a lot of animals on your safari. During your wildlife viewing trip in Kidepo Valley National Park, here is a sneak peek of the animal life that may pass you by and catch your attention. There are a lot of animals that you will see there, including Zebras, Duikers, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Elephants, Lions, Elands, Bat-Eared Fox, Gunther’s Dik-Dik, Jackals, Rothschild Giraffes, Striped Hyenas, Mountain Reedbucks, Buffalos, Defassa Waterbucks, Cheetahs, Kongoni, Kobs, Bush Pigs, and Savannah where you can find plants such as Borassus palms, sausage trees, and acacia trees.
Saying that the list is all-inclusive would be a gross exaggeration.
Each of the aforementioned categories of animals would be more fully described with a trip to Kidepo Valley National Park. At the entrance to the Park, lions will not only be present but also tree-climbing lions perched on sausage trees or stretched on boulders. You won’t simply describe a crocodile; you’ll describe a special kind of crocodile that has adapted to the dry circumstances of the park, measuring 2.5 meters as compared to the typical 4 meters.
When you visit Kidepo, you have the option to cross off sights, sounds, wildlife species, and birds, but you also come away with a wealth of knowledge about each individual bird, animal, tree, and rock.
If you plan on visiting Kidepo Valley National Park during the summer, pack lightweight cotton clothing for the heat of the day and layers for the cold that comes at night and in the morning when you start your trek. Some items that should not be missing from your luggage are a camera to capture the moment for posterity, sunscreen to protect your skin, and enough drink to satisfy your thirst in this dry environment.
