Flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park
Flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park: Kidepo valley national park is the furthest protected area among all national parks in Uganda. Because its far, tourists opt for flying safaris to avoid tiring journeys while on a Uganda safari. The 1442 sq. km national park has an airstrip called Apoka where tourists who use flights to the park normally land. Flying safaris are done by luxury travelers who hate traveling for long distances and those that want to travel a luxury style
Kidepo valley national park is located more than 710 km from Kampala which is about 10 to 12 hours drive. The flights to Kidepo valley national park take 2 hours and 30 minutes saving a tourist from the long journey on poorly developed roads. Tourists who are looking at flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park should inform their local tour operators in advance so that they book with the airline companies.
A lot of airline companies have flights to Apoka airstrip in Kidepo valley national park and among these include Bar Aviation Uganda, Aerolink Uganda, and Kampala executive aviation. Flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park start from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Apoka Airstrip inside Kidepo valley national park.
How to book a flight to Kidepo valley national park
Booking a flight to Kidepo valley national park can be done by a local tour operator or a traveler if they booked the safari by themselves. If the safari is to be done by the tour operator then booking the flight is left to them. Local tour operators can book the flights by contacting the airline company with the flight dates. The tour operators have the best rates with the airline companies therefore that work should be left to them.
When to have flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park
Luxury travelers can have flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park at any time of the year however there are some months that are good to visit the park. The dry season months from June to September and December to February are the best to have flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park because the weather is so good.
During the dry season, there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine in the park and the weather never affects the flight or the activities. The game tracks are dry and easier to drive through, and the vegetation is short and scattered with clear views of all wildlife species. Travelers can still have flying safaris to Kidepo valley national park in the rainy season since the park is always open and all activities can be done.
On your flying safari to Kidepo valley national park, you can engage in a number of activities among which include the following.
Game drives
These are the most done activities by tourists who visit Kidepo valley national park. The national park is a habitat of over 76 mammals and 5 primates which are better seen during game drive activities. On your flying safari to Kidepo valley national park game drives are a must do if you want to see a lot of wild animals that live in this park.
The game drives on your flying safari will be conducted using a safari vehicle and a well-trained driver guide will take you through the Narus Valley and Kidepo Valley where animals live most. The game drive activity lasts for 2 to 3 hours and tourists are able to see animals such as cheetahs, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, giraffes, lesser kudus, spotted hyenas, zebras, waterbucks, klipspringers, warthogs, gazelles, side stripped jackals, hartebeests, Uganda kobs, reedbucks, African wild dogs, and dik-diks among others.
Bird watching
Kidepo valley national park is one of the best birding destinations we have in Uganda. The national park is home to over 476 bird species some of which are endemic to the Karamoja region. Bird watching is an activity you can engage in on your flying safari and you get to see the different bird species that are said to be living here. The activity is done with an armed ranger guide for safety in the wilderness.
Bird watching in Kidepo valley national park will give you an opportunity to spot bird species such as ostriches, Karamoja apalis, yellow-billed shrike, black coucal, marsh tchagra, verreaux’s eagle, pygmy falcon, broad-tailed warbler, piapiac, black-breasted barbet, clapperton’s francolin, Abyssinian ground hornbill, emin’s shrike, grey crowned crane, superb starling, hartlaub’s turacos, lesser kestrel, rufous chatterer, slate colored boubou, and Abyssinian scimitar bill among others.
Community tours
During your free time or after major activities, tourists on a flying safari to Kidepo valley national park can always visit the nearby communities. Kidepo valley national park is surrounded by the IK who are substance farmers and Karamajong people who are cattle keepers. A visit the any of the communities will give you an opportunity to know about their history. You will get entertained by traditional dancers and you will be able to know what they do for a living.
Nature walks and hiking
To get so close to the nature in Kidepo valley national park one needs to take park in nature walks and hiking activities because they are done on foot. Nature walks and hiking are done in different areas of the park among which include Narus Valley, Apoka, Kidepo Valley, and Mount Morungule. During nature walks tourists are able to see different animals, birds, vegetation, rivers, and much more.