How to do a budget safari in Kidepo valley national park?
How to do a budget safari in Kidepo valley national park?: Planning a safari and going for it always seems expensive. A single person would require about $1000 to have a 3 days safari in this national park. In this article, we are going to look at how one can do a budget safari in Kidepo valley national park on a budget of less than $1000.
In Uganda, Kidepo valley national park is one of the best national parks to visit. Why? Because Kidepo is home to over 76 mammals, 476 bird species, and 5 primates. Most travelers dream to visit Kidepo valley national park however they get disappointed when they realize that having a safari is expensive (especially the budget travelers).
For travelers that want to do a budget safari in Kidepo valley national park, there are so many things to look at. Today we are to look at the different ways budget travelers can use little money and have a very successful safari in Kidepo valley national park.
Below are the things tourists can do to have budget safaris in Kidepo valley national park.
Book the safari with a local tour operator. Every traveler needs to use a local tour operator when organizing a safari. A tour operator helps in organizing the whole trip by booking accommodations, tour guides, and activities within the park. If you book directly the charges might be higher and you mighat deal with fraudsters. Africa Adventure Vacations is one of the local companies that can help you get a budget safari in Kidpeo valley national park.
Travel as a group. If you are looking at having a budget safari in Kidepo valley then you better look for a group to join or form one. Traveling as a group saves on costs such as transport, and accommodation since you share with other travelers. Travelers who don’t have groups can always ask their tour operators to get them a group to join.
Spend a few days. The minimum number of days tourists can book for a safari in Kidepo valley national park is 3. The first day is for traveling, the second day is for activities and the last day is for traveling back. A 3 days safari would include transportation to and from the park, 3 meals a day for 3 days, accommodation in the park for 2 nights, and park entrance fees.
Your itinerary for 3 days could be like this…
Day 1: Depart from Kampala/Entebbe. Arrive in Kidepo valley national park in the evening, check in your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Fully day safari in Kidepo valley national park. Perhaps visit the nearby communities after the activities.
Day 3: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe.
Choose a budget accommodation facility. Tourists must choose accommodation where they will sleep during the night. There are so many accommodation facilities within Kidepo valley national park and they range from budget to mid-range to luxury options. Budget travelers need to choose budget lodges or even campsites because they are cheap and help one to save.
Take part in a few park activities. Most activities in Kidepo come at a cost. A budget traveler will have to choose a few that they can afford and those within their money. Some activities like day game drives are free as long as one has a driver guide however they come at a fee if one needs to hire a guide. Bird watching, cultural tours, and nature walks come at an affordable fee.
Use road transport to the park. Yes, the park is located very far from Kampala/Entebbe the main starting points for safaris, road transport remains cheaper compared to air transport. By road transport, tourists must be ready to travel for 10 to 12 hours or even more depending on the speed of the driver and the nature of the roads.
How to get to Kidepo valley national park using road transport?
There are about 4 routes that can connect you to Kidepo valley national park. A driver chooses the route to use based on the itinerary or that one which is easy for them. The easter routes are two and the western routes are also two. One of the eastern routes starts from Kampala/Entebbe goes through Jinja, Mbale, Kapchorwa, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong district. Another one begins from Kampala/Entebbe goes through Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong.
The western routes. The first western route that connects to Kidepo valley national park starts from Kampala/Entebbe goes through Luwero, Nakasongola, Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum, Karenga, and Kaabong to the park. Another route starts from Kampala goes through Luwero, Nakasongola, Lira, Abim, Kotido, and Kaabong to the park.
Travel in the low season. Budget travelers who dream of visiting Kidepo should do a safari in the rainy season. The rainy season is also a low season because that is when the tourists come in small numbers. From March to May and October to November the lodges reduce prices and the local tour operators reduce prices too.
