Overview
Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park are the most sought activities for the savannah parks of Uganda and are more adventurous in Kidepo. Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northeastern Uganda, a semi-desert area covering 1,442 km2 of the spectacular Narus valley hosting over 86 mammal species and 500 bird species. The park creates a border between Uganda and South Sudan, standing at an altitude of 914 meters above sea level. The size of the park and its diverse ecological system favor activities such as birding, guided nature walks, and game drives. Game drives are best-done activities in Kidepo since they are offered twice a day and are available year in and out.
Day game drives
Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1,442 km2 of land, providing two grounds for game drives, Narus Valley and the Kidepo Valley. The Narus valley is the best for game drives with vast grasslands covering a wider area and synthetic views of hills and mountains from a distance. The valley holds a permanent water source which is the Narus River that provides water to the wildlife and anchoring grounds of the wildlife during the dry season. The Narus Valley was named after the prominence of the Narus River, proving to be of great benefit to Kidepo Valley National Park.
The Narus Valley has great animal concentrations that include the Uganda kobs, savannah elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, giraffes, and many other, primates such as chimpanzees and monkeys. Most of the wildlife in the park prefers keeping next to the Narus River and other water lodged areas in Narus valley. Kidepo Valley is on the other hand a haven for Ostriches and kangaroos, easy to spot while on game drives. Kidepo Valley is a dryer ground unlike the Narus Valley, attracting less wildlife. The valley has attractive Kanangorok hot springs, just lying 11 meters above the Kidepo River on the border of South Sudan. Kidepo hosts several Zebras, Kongoni, hyenas, Cape buffalos, leopards, lions, and Elands among others that can try to withstand and adapt to the dry nature of Kidepo Valley.
Night game drive
Night game dives are the most awesome moments for spotting the nocturnal animals while driving in the safari vans through the park at night. Night game drives in Kidepo begin at 6 pm, lasting for 2 hours. Narus Valley assures you of the dik-dik, lions, bush babies, leopards, cheetahs, reedbucks, hyenas, and many others.
What is the best time for visiting Kidepo Valley?
Kidepo is a semi-arid region located in northeastern Uganda, which indicates it is almost dry throughout. The temperatures are very hot, requiring travelers to visit in light clothes. Kidepo changes from all other national parks as its dry season runs from September to March, which is yet a wet season for the other Uganda national parks. April to August is the wet season, and a bit hot since Kidepo is at a higher altitude, turning its temperatures so high. Animals in Kidepo are so unique and adapted to the weather patterns which contribute to their dry appearance.
