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How to get to Kidepo valley national park

How to get to Kidepo valley national park a protected area in northeastern Uganda in the Karamoja region in Kaabong district on South Sudan boarder

How to get to Kidepo valley national park

How to get to Kidepo valley national park: Kidepo valley national park is a protected area in the northeastern part of Uganda in the Karamoja region. The rugged and remote national park is found in Kaabong district on the borders of South Sudan and not so far from the Kenyan border. Kidepo valley national park was gazetted in 1962 as a national park and has been protecting wildlife that tourists would love to encounter.

Kidepo valley national park is the third largest savannah park in Uganda with a total area of 1442 sq. km. About 76 mammals, 476 birds, and 5 primates live in Kidepo national park making it one of the best safari destinations in Uganda. Kidepo valley national park takes the longest time to be accessed of all national parks in Uganda but it can be accessed within a single day.

Among the most asked question by tourists wanting ti to visit Kidepo national park is “How long is the drive or fly from Kampala to Kidepo national park”. Well, the road trip from Kampala to Kidepo valley national park takes 10 to 12 hours and flights take 2 hours and 30 minutes. When it comes to road transport the time taken depends on the number of stopovers and in some cases, tourists get a night along the way before reaching the park.

Here we are going to show you the different ways of getting to Kidepo valley national park from Kampala/Entebbe which are the starting points of most safaris in Uganda. The road distance from Kampala/Entebbe to Kidepo valley national park is more than 710kms and the distance differs depending on which route is used to access the park. Listed below is a piece of relevant information on how to reach Kidepo valley national park by road and air

Getting to Kidepo valley national park

The most affordable mode of transport to Kidepo is road transport. It’s the most used mode of transport by tourists visiting Kidepo valley national park because it’s cheaper and allows tourists to have stopovers along the way. Road transport to Kidepo valley national park allows tourists to have a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, Karuma falls, and even Murchison falls national park if you want to spend a night on the way before reaching the park.

By road transport, tourists should be ready to drive for over 10 hours before getting to Kidepo valley national park. Where stopovers are included, tourists will need to sleep a night on the way before getting to the park. The road transport journey is too long but tourists need to know that it’s enjoyable because you get many chances of seeing different attractions along the way.

Getting to Kidepo has several routes to use and the safari driver chooses the route based on what you want to see along the way or itinerary. There are eastern and western routes to Kidepo valley park and each route has got its pone surprises. The first eastern route starts from Kampala goes through Jinja, Mbale, Kapchorwa, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong where the park is found.

The other eastern route to Kidepo national park starts from Kampala/Entebbe goes through Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong. This route is too long as it takes more than 13 hours so tourists will have to get accommodation along the way before reaching the park.

The first western route to Kidepo valley park starts from kampala/Entebbe goes through Luwero, Nakasongola, Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum, and Kaabong to the park. The second western route starts from Kampala goes through Luwero, Nakasongola, Lira, Abim, Kotido and Kaabong to the park. The western route is the best to use to get to Kidepo national park because they give you the opportunity of passing by Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Karuma Falls and even Murchison falls national park.

Getting to Kidepo valley national park by air transport

Most of the national parks in Uganda can be accessed by air transport including Kidepo national park. Apoka airstrip is where flights that go to Kidepo normally land. Different airline companies have got flights to Kidepo valley park and the common ones are Bar Aviation Uganda and Aerolink Uganda.

To fly to Kidepo valley, you need to do early bookings with the airline companies. You must tell your local tour operator early in advance to book for you a flight to the park. Local tour operators have direct contact with the people working with the airline companies so it will be easy for them to book. All that is needed are the flight dates and a deposit or full payment of the ticket.

Bar Aviation Uganda and Aerolink Uganda have flights every day to Kidepo valley park. The flights start at Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe international airport and take 2 hours and 30 minutes to get to Apoka Airstrip inside Kidepo national park. Flights are the safest and easiest way to get to Kidepo valley park for they save you from the 10 to 12 hours journey on the road.

Best time to go to Kidepo

Tourists can go to Kidepo national park at any time of the year however certain months are better than others. The dry season which happens from June to September and December to February is the best time to go to Kidepo national park. This is because of the good weather characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Roads leading to the park are passable however some parts are dusty and when you get into the park you will find dry game tracks and short vegetation cover.

Tourists can still go to Kidepo national park during the rainy season from March to May and October to November however they need to be aware of the weather conditions. The rainy season has plenty of rainfall and little sunshine which makes parts of the roads leading to the park muddy and slippery, game tracks are muddy and slippery limiting access to some of the park areas and the vegetation is tall with unclear views of wildlife.

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