Located in the North Eastern region of Uganda, the Kidepo National park is an eminent conservation area sheltering over 80 species of mammals and numerous birds. The park was condoned off for game conservation in 1962 and grows parallel with the nation. Kidepo valley national park lies in rather the remote Karamoja region, Uganda’s semi-arid region that’s just about 700km from the bustle of Kampala. Karamoja is Uganda’s best kept secret and treasure chest as it holds years after the colonization, the region has remained pure and unadulterated preserving its rich cultural heritage.
This conservation area derives its name from the Kidepo River. This seasonal river is often a lifeline for animals during the wet season as they congregate to drink water and catch the predators look to get their next prey. “Kidepo”; in the local dialect of the Karimojong, Kidepo literally means ‘to pick’. Before the park was gazetted, the Karimojong used to come to the riverbanks to collect fruits. The banks favour the growth of tall coconut and palm trees that bear exceptional fruits.
The Kidepo Valley National Park today plays host to a variety of flora and fauna. While taking a wildlife tour in Uganda, a stop at the Kidepo allows you to catch a glimpse of the unique striped hyena, cheetah, hunting dog, bat-eared fox, aardwolf and caracal. It also offers you the opportunity to view elephants, bush pigs, warthog, eland, Rothschild giraffe, Burch ell’s zebra, reed buck, and Oribi. The king of jungle can also be spotted chilling on the rocks within kidepo’s undulating plains.
More fascinating about the beautiful wilderness of the Kidepo, it is a true birder’s haven; the best birding safaris in Uganda are conducted here with over 475 bird species and second to only Queen Elizabeth National Park in the number of host birds. The presence of the most sought after rare bird species make this park an interesting birding paradise; these include the Apallis and Black breasted Barbet found which are found here coincidentally with Abyssinian roller, Abyssinian scimitarbill, Black-breasted barbet, Carmine bee-eater, Chestnut weaver, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Fox kestrel and Golden Pipi. The prominent birders that visit Uganda look out for the famous ostrich in this park. This bird runs faster than any horse alive and offers a breathtaking sight as it’s the only place in Uganda where one can sight an ostrich in their natural habitats. Birding excursions in Kidepo Valley National Park can be done all year round however March to April offers the best time to see a variety including the migratory birds.
Cultural encounters in Kidepo valley national park
Nothing quite compares to the Pearl of Africa cultural tour experience with the Karamojong. They live in homesteads known as manyattas. Manyattas can be described as small hunt villages housing a particular country and clan. As the boys become men, they move into their own huts. The men are also required to wrestle the lady they wish to marry; and if he becomes victorious he is allowed to go ahead with the marriage but if unfortunate he becomes a disgrace and is asked to leave. Karimojong are also described by splendid art ranging from their hats and sculptures. They are nomadic pastoralists and worship there cattle. Today when planning a Uganda Safari Encounter, plan to include a cultural tour with the Karimojong as they reach for the skies during their interesting traditional dance.