KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Mount Morungole at 2,750m is the highest pooint in the park and makes the southern boundary of the park. To the north with the border of Sudan is the Loukei mountain range. Situated in the southwest of the park is the Narus Valley and along the western boundary is the rugged Napore-Nyagia mountain range. The Natira and Lokayot Hills separate the park in the northeast from the Kidepo Valley.  While mountain forest dominate the high places, the areas along the Lorupei River support dense acacia forest. 

Kidepo is home to more than 80 mammal species including 28 species found in no other Ugandan park.  Dry plains game can be found here such as the greater kudu and cheetah along with bat-eared foxes, caracals and Klipspringers. 

KVNP is recovering from years of neglect and insurgency whereby poaching and indiscriminate killing of game depleted herds. Some less common animals are the striped hyena, lesser kudu, Grant’s gazelle and beisa oryx. However, other large mammals have made excellent recovery and healthy populations of elephant, Burchell’s zebra, buffalo, Rothschild giraffe, eland, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, bonhor reedbuck, waterbuck and kongoni are often seen. The dry thorn thicket landscape in the north of the park is home to Guenther’s dik dik and Senegal galago. 

Plentiful numbers of carnivores such as leopard, lion, spotted hyena, black-backed and side-striped jackals are supported by these ungulates. Five different species of primate, including the Kavirondo bush baby, which is endemic to this area, can been spotted by the keen observer. 

475 Bird species have been confirmed as sighted in this park, second only to Queen Elizabeth Park.  Some rare, highly sought after birds are found here such as the black-breasted barbet and Karamoja apallis. 58 species of birds of prey are recorded, with 14 are believed to be endemic to the Park and the wider Karamoja region. These include Verreaux’s eagle, the Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon. Four species of hornbills have been recorded and the red-billed, yellow-billed and Jackson’s hornbill are peculiar to Kidepo and the giant Abyssinia ground hornbill is also common. 

Kidepo is an animal safari adventurers' and birdwatchers' paradise as well as hikers' climbing challenge. Hiking trips to the Lamoj Mountains, a few kilometers from the park headquarters, are available. Spectacular views of Kidepo River Valley and Borassus palm forest can be seen, and from Kidepo Valley you can make a trip to the Kanangorok Hot Springs located just 11kms from the river valley. 

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of local Ugandan culture, visits can be arranged to the local Karamajong manyattas (homesteads) to see traditional costumes and jewelry making. Locally produced craft items can be purchased from the park tourist office.