Voted best in Africa for spectacular landscape and great buffalo herds by CNN Travel in 2013 and 2016, Kidepo Valley National Park represents the best of the Wild in Africa – Unadulterated Wilderness roles on semi-arid plains teaming with an incredible diversity of wildlife including 86 species of mammals including big herds of elephants and buffalos, Cheetah, Giraffe, Eland, Zebras, Lions, Leopards, Striped Hyena, Bush Duiker, Jackal, Bushbuck, Bush Pig, Kavirondo Bush Baby. A whooping 500 species of birds have been confirmed of which 60 are not known to exist in other national parks of Uganda, not forgetting the Ostrich.
It is Uganda’s least disturbed national park without ever any human settlement and more amazingly it is also the least traveled.
Highlights
- Game Drive
- Tour of the Karamajongo communities
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Kitgum
Prepare for pick-up at exactly 7.00am to start your trip. Kidepo is remotely located in the far northeast corner, bordering South Sudan and Kenya. It is very tedious to drive express to the park. Therefore you shall get to Kitgum town and spend the night at Boma Guest House. Expect enroute stopovers in Luwero to pick a couple of fruits say pineapples, oranges and jackfruit, and in Gulu for lunch. Dinner is at Boma Guest House.
*Accommodations:
– Budget: Boma Guest House
*Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
*Travel Time: 11 Hours
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, Game Drive
Be up for an early cup of tea/coffee and continue with the journey to Kidepo. Arrive in time for lunch, and after set out for the first game drive in Africa’s most spectacular wilderness. Drive through the Narus valley for great wildlife sightings including herds of buffalos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and cheetahs. There are incredible picture moments and the drive is really slow so you can ask for a stop at whatever point you want.
Return to the lodge to relax and later have dinner and overnight.
*Accommodations:
– Luxury: Apoka Lodge
– Budget: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Bandas
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
*Travel Time: 3 Hours
Day 3: Game Drives in Kidepo Valley
Wake up to a marvelous breakfast, sipping from your cup of tea/coffee while you savor the panoramic views of the spectacular wilderness and wildlife around you. This is the dream vacation that all travelers imagine of an Africa safari vacation and see in photoshoped safari pictures but can only be experienced in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Set out for another exciting game drive across the open savannah, rocky outcrops, hills, forests, and rings of mountains. There are lots of unique features, animals and birds to observe and you won’t stop wondering how certain plants survive in this highly dry region. Drive to the Kanangorok Hot Springs for incredible picture moments and lots of animals more so the lions resting on rocky outcrops.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relax.
Later set out for a cultural tour of the unique Karamajong people that live around the park. Similar to the park, the Karamojong ways of living are not only very unique but are also untouched, that is, they have not been externally influenced as is the case with most Uganda tribes. One can say they have totally and also shunned any form of civilization. They are cattle keepers and hold a belief that all cattle in this world belongs to them. They almost live solely to fight for their cattle, I mean even that which is not really theirs. They are an interesting bunch of people with such uniquess, their dancing, dressing, housing (Manyatta huts), feeding, cooking and day-to-day lifestyle is an incredible cultural experience you should look forward to on your safari to Kidepo Valley National Park
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Game Drive, Travel to Kitgum
Wake up to another incredible game drive. A game drive in this park is never the same, even with taking the same trail for another drive you sure shall always find something new and interesting. Expect to increase your game count.
Return and check out, transfer to Kitgum and check in at Boma Guest House for lunch, relaxation and overnight.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Supper
*Travel Time: 3 Hours
Day 5: Travel to Kampala
After your breakfast continue with the return journey back to Kampala.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
*Travel Time: 11 Hours
Tour Inclusions
Transport – tour vehicle, drive, fuel
Full board accommodation for 4 nights
All meals
Bottled water
Access fees
Guide fees
Activities – game drives, cultural tours
Exclusions
Gratitude and tipping
Alcoholic drinks
Travel insurance
Curion shop purchases
Phone bill and other personal expenditure