Kidepo Valley National Park covers over 1,442 square kilometers in the northeastern part of Uganda, Kaabong District. The vacation haven is a remote area of savanna dominated by rugged hills and unique wildlife like the leopards, cheetahs, and ostriches. Kidepo also borders Kenya and South Sudan. Traveling to far Kidepo is a bit challenging, but rewards with Africa’s raw wilderness. Whether guests are driving for adventure or flying for speed, below is a guide to accessing Kidepo by road and air routes through Mbale and Gulu to Kitgum.

Getting to Kidepo by Road.

Kidepo’s remoteness, about 510 to 792 km from Kampala, makes the whole road trip a remarkable adventure, especially in a 4WD vehicle due to rough, challenging, and unpaved stretches.

Two main routes dominate while getting to Kidepo, these include the northern route via Gulu to Kitgum and the eastern route through Mbale. Both routes offer scenic stops but require ample planning, especially in the wet rainy season that runs from April to May and October to November, when roads get slippery and muddy. Dry seasons from June to September and December to March bring dust, but a better experience and attraction.

Northern Route through Gulu-Kitgum.

The northern route is the shortest and most popular route to the mighty Kidepo. The route spans 571 km from Kampala to Kidepo, taking about 10 hours, stops excluded. Travelers will drive through Kampala – Karuma – Gulu – Kitgum to Kidepo, with a tarmac road until Kitgum, then to Kaabong and Kidepo. Highlights include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which offers rhino trekking, which is 190 km from Kampala, and Karuma Falls close to Murchison Falls National Park. Many travelers break the trip with an overnight in Kitgum or Gulu at lodges like Churchill or Boma Hotel to stay fresh. From Kitgum to Kidepo is about 154km.

Lokumoit Gate is one of the entry gates, especially on Kidepo’s southwestern side, where the entry for this route is. It’s 3 km from Apoka, the park’s tourism and vacation hub, where guests pay fees of USD 40 for non-residents, USD 30 for residents, and 20,000 UGX for Ugandans as per 2025 UWA rates.

Eastern Route via Mbale.

The eastern route is wilder and longer, with two options, i.e Kampala – Mbale –Sironko – Moroto – Kotido– Kaabong to Kidepo, and the journey takes about 740 km or 12 hours. Another route is that of Kampala to Mbale – Soroti – Moroto – Kotido –Kaabong, then to Kidepo Valley National Park, and takes about 13 hours. Tarmac fades after Soroti and Sironko. Stopovers include Sipi Falls and hiking Mt Elgon in Mbale. Cultural tours at Nyero Rock Paintings in Kumi. Overnight in Moroto and Kotido at spots like Kara-Tunga Safari Camp to refresh. This route offers Karamoja’s landscapes and Nile views in Jinja.

Nataba Gate is the other entry gate and Kidepo’s southeastern entry that connects Moroto and Kotido to the Narus Valley. This is a game drive hotspot. That takes about 10 to 15 minutes from Apoka. Public buses to Moroto take 12 hours, Kotido at 14 hours, or Kaabong at 16 hours exist but are slow and unreliable for access. Stick to private 4WDs.

Getting to Kidepo by Air.

Flying is the fastest means of transport to Kidepo. By landing at Kidepo Airstrip or Lomej Airstrip, which is 3 km south of Apoka. Domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield take 2 to 3 hours while offering aerial views of Uganda’s savanna.

Scheduled Flights. Aero Link Uganda flies on Wednesdays, Fridays, and sometimes on Sundays, departing Entebbe at 12:30 PM and arriving at Kidepo by 2:45 PM. Return flights leave at around 3:00 PM and land in Entebbe by 4:30 PM. Rates are USD 420 one way or USD 700 round trip, requiring 4 to 7 passengers.

Charter Flights. Bar aviation, Fly Uganda, and Kampala Aero club offer daily charters from Entebbe or Kajjansi at USD 1,500-3,000 per plane. These are Ideal for groups. Kidepo Airstrip; This rugged strip nestled in Narus Valley handles light aircraft. It’s just a 10-minute drive to Apoka. Plans to upgrade it to an international airport are ongoing, but not active as of 2025.