Kidepo Valley lies in the far northeast of Uganda, close to the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. It is remote, dry and beautiful, and it feels like the Africa of old: wide valleys ringed by mountains, a sky that seems larger than anywhere else, and so few visitors that you may not see another vehicle all day.
Most game viewing happens in the Narus Valley, where permanent water draws buffalo, elephant, zebra and lion year round. The Kidepo Valley, further north, is drier and wilder, with the Kidepo River that flows only in the rains and the Kanangorok hot springs near the border.
This is also home to the Karamojong, pastoralists whose culture has changed less than most. We recommend at least three nights at Apoka Safari Lodge, which looks straight across the Narus Valley and is the kind of place you do not want to leave.
Kidepo has around 77 mammal species, several found nowhere else in Uganda. Cheetah, ostrich, bat-eared fox, striped hyena, caracal, aardwolf and greater and lesser kudu all live here, alongside large herds of buffalo, elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, zebra, lion and leopard.
Around 475 bird species have been recorded, including Karamoja apalis, Kori bustard and many dry-country birds of prey that are rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Kidepo is a land of semi-arid grassland and rocky outcrops, surrounded by mountains, with Mount Morungole to the south and the Didinga Hills across the border. The Narus Valley stays green longer, thanks to its permanent pools, while the Kidepo Valley is open, dry and dotted with borassus palms along the sandy riverbed. Sunsets here are long and golden.
Activities here
Kidepo is semi-arid, with a single rainy season from April to October rather than the two seen elsewhere in Uganda. Days are hot, often 28°C to 32°C and sometimes higher in the dry months, while nights cool to around 17°C to 20°C.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 17 | 5 |
| Feb | 33 | 18 | 10 |
| Mar | 33 | 19 | 30 |
| Apr | 31 | 19 | 80 |
| May | 29 | 18 | 110 |
| Jun | 28 | 17 | 90 |
| Jul | 27 | 17 | 120 |
| Aug | 28 | 17 | 130 |
| Sep | 29 | 17 | 80 |
| Oct | 30 | 17 | 60 |
| Nov | 30 | 17 | 30 |
| Dec | 31 | 17 | 10 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
The dry season runs roughly from November or December to March. Days are hot, often 30°C or more, with dry winds, dust and a wide, clear sky, and nights cool to around 17°C. The Kidepo River runs dry, and game concentrates around the pools and springs of the Narus Valley, which makes viewing very rewarding.
Kidepo has a single wet season, roughly April to October, with most rain in May and from July to August. Storms turn the valleys green and bring the Kidepo River to life for short periods. Game spreads out, some tracks and airstrips can be affected by heavy rain and road access becomes more difficult, though temperatures are a little lower.
The dry season, roughly September to March, is the best time for game viewing, as animals concentrate around the Narus Valley’s water. The rains bring green hills and fewer visitors, but some tracks become difficult.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
By road, Kidepo is about 10 to 12 hours from Kampala, and we would only suggest driving if it is broken up with a stop in Gulu or near Mount Elgon. Most guests fly in on a scheduled or charter flight from Entebbe or Kampala, which takes about 2 hours and lands close to Apoka Safari Lodge.
A visa is needed for Uganda and can be applied for online before you travel. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Park fees are included in our safaris. Please see the Uganda page for details.
Kidepo is remote and hot, so bring sun protection and drink plenty of water. A yellow fever certificate is needed to enter Uganda, so please carry it with your passport. Malaria is present, so antimalarials are advised. Medical help is far away, and evacuation is by air, so good insurance is essential.
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“Worth the flight”
Kidepo is our answer when guests ask where they can still feel alone in the wild. We fly most guests in and out, which turns a very long drive into about two hours and leaves more time in the park. We also like to set aside a morning for a walk with a ranger and a visit to a Karamojong manyatta, which gives the landscape a human story.
Safaris from
US$2,444 per person
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