Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the north eastern Uganda is definitely one of the best places to experience night game drives. This safari hub lies in Karamoja sub-region and covers total surface area of 1,442 sq.km that is largely dominated by rugged savannah, seasonal rivers and rolling hills. Kidepo Valley National Park is famously known for its biodiversity and isolation.
Kidepo also offers a rare opportunity for visitors to dive fully into its exceptional wildlife, even after dark, explorers in Kidepo national park can engage in night game drives seamlessly. It’s worth noting that unlike most Ugandan national parks that are easily accessible, Kidepo is a remote setting.
This natural beauty is way far from the Uganda’s capital city; there are about 520 kilometers from Kampala to this mind-blowing natural hub, but worthy every time spent on transit. It’s about that time for explorers who love a pristine, uncrowded experience. The park is run and managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority and homes 77+ mammal species that find perfect shelter in this national park.
The park is also a shelter to over 475 different bird species, many of which show their most active behaviors under the cover of dark. Therefore, a night game drive in Kidepo national park is an exceptional way to explore its hidden residents.
Getting prepared for a night game drive in Kidepo National Park.
Night game drives are such a mind-blowing experience in Kidepo national park. The session typically begins at 6:30pm, or sometime at 7:00 PM, shortly after the sunset. Night game drives in Kidepo national park last for about 2 to 3 hours. This mostly depends on wildlife activity and visitors’ preferences.
The experience requires a 4×4 safari vehicle that is well equipped with a pop-up roof for spectacular viewing, night game drives are accompanied by an armed UWA ranger and a professional experienced driver to get you through those challenging trails at night.
Some of the equipment used during night game drives in Kidepo national park may include spot lights which are essential for illuminating the endless landscapes, and spotting hidden mammals.
Visitors are also advised to put on neutral colored clothing like green or grey to blend into the environment.
Insect repellents are also a must carry, along with a light jacket, as temperatures at Kidepo tend drop too low to less than 17°C at night.
When to do night games in Kidepo National Park?
The night game drives are mostly conducted in the Narus Valley, Kidepo’s prime wildlife viewing spot that is situated south of Apoka. This endless grassland that is fed by the Narus River traps large concentrations of animals the entire year. This mostly happens during the dry season which runs from June to September and December to February.
It’s during this period that water sources in the park or elsewhere diminish and run dry. The trails are accessibly open, and distant speculator views of Mount Morungole can be sighted. While Kidepo National Park in the far north is less frequented due to its seasonal river drying up, it occasionally offers sightings of rare species.
Wildlife encounters during night game drives in Kidepo national park.
Kidepo National Park’s night game drive brings out a cast of nocturnal creatures that are rarely seen in daylight. Predators here take the lead, lions are often spotted resting comfortably on rocks or sometimes stalking the prey. It’s surprising that lions become more active as the temperature cools. Leopards under the dark emerge to hunt, their reflective eyes can be seen glinting in the spotlight.
Cheetahs are not seen in any Ugandan national parks apart from Kidepo (but on very rare occasions). Hyenas and jackals on the other hand roam in search of carrion, their echoes can be over heard through the night.
Smaller nocturnal mammals like genets, civets, bush babies, genets, porcupines can also be sighted.
Hippos are typically aquatic by day and can be spotted grazing on the surrounding savannah.
Herds of buffaloes and elephants can be sighted meander near water points.
Best time to visit Kidepo National Park for game drives.
Even though Kidepo National Park is accessible all year round, the dry seasons that run from June to September and December to February are the perfect timing for night game drives.
It’s during this period of the year that the vegetation cover in Kidepo is sparse hence enhancing wildlife visibility and great photography. Animals also tend to congregate near water sources during dry seasons hence increasing the chances of visitors to sight and take memorable pictures.
The wet season from April to August brings about lush greenery and bird migration but the muddy trails can complicate the whole experience.
