Why do tourists visit Kidepo valley national park?
Why do tourists visit Kidepo valley national park?: Kidepo valley national park is one of the finest wildlife and safari destinations in Africa. The national park is the most isolated in the northeastern part of Uganda in areas of Kaabong district. Kidepo valley national park was gazetted in 1962 as a national park with the aim of protecting different wildlife species. As of today, 76 mammals, 467 bird species, and 5 primates have been recorded in Kidepo valley national park.
Kidepo valley national park, known for being the most isolated national park was recognized as one of the best national parks in Africa. Tourists who love to explore normally include this park in the places they would love to visit while in Uganda with the aim of seeing what is good about the park. Listing Kidepo valley national park as one of the best places in Africa made it popular and the number of tourists visiting the park keeps on increasing.
What is so interesting about Kidepo valley national park?
The wild animals.
Kidepo valley national park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda, because it hosts four of the big five mammals in the country. The big mammals include leopards, lions, elephants, and buffaloes. Kidepo valley national park is the only place where tourists can meet cheetahs, hunting dogs, bat-eared foxes, caracals, aardwolves, roan antelopes, dik-dik, and mountain reedbuck.
Apart from those mentioned above, Kidepo valley national park hosts animals such as warthogs, elands, side-stripped jackals, ostriches, crocodiles, Uganda kobs, defassa waterbucks, cape buffaloes, hartebeests, giraffes, zebras, olive baboons, patas monkeys, and blue monkeys to mention but a few. These animals are seen by taking part in different park activities most especially the game drives.
The birds
Sometimes referred to as a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 476 bird species recorded, Kidepo valley national park is one of the well known destinations among birdwatchers. Kidepo valley national park is one of the birding areas with unique bird species in the world. The birds live in a wide range of habitats among which include open grassland, seasonal wetlands, and short trees among others.
Birds expected in Kidepo valley national park include Karamoja apalis, ostrich, Egyptian vulture, dark chanting goshawk, scarlet chested sunbird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white-bellied go-away bird, purple grenadier, four-banded sand grouse, vinaceous dove, fan-tailed raven, eastern pale chanting goshawk, Egyptian vulture, mouse-colored penduline tit, dark chanting goshawk, Abyssinian roller, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Verreaux’s eagle, northern carmine bee-eater, crimson rumped waxbill, white crested turaco, and purple herons among others
The love for culture
A safari in Kidepo valley national park would give you an opportunity to mix wildlife together with culture. A visit to any of the cultures in Kidepo valley national park is not costly that every traveler can affordable. The Karamajong and IK are an ethnic group of people believed to have come from Ethiopia, then Kenya before settling permanently in northern Uganda.
The Karamajong are cattle keepers while the IK are subsistence farmers however what is so common among them is that they have really tried so hard to preserve their culture. They jealously guard their traditions and don’t teach their languages or way of living to outsiders and their way of dressing is always unique. Visiting these tribes will leave you satisfied because they are amazing
The IK and Karamajong are welcoming people, when you arrive at their communities you are welcomed by the local people who give you a place to sit and first relax. The locals will take you around their community and you will be able to see how they build and fence their homes. You will meet the elders who will tell you stories of long ago, and you will be able to get entertainment from traditional dancers.
When is the best time for tourists to visit Kidepo valley national park?
best time to visit Kidepo: The best time to visit Kidepo valley national park will always be the dry season. The season happens from June to September and December to February when there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Tourists love the dry season because it has short vegetation cover which does give clear views of wildlife, and the game tracks in this season are dry and passable enabling tourists to access most of the park areas.
Tourists most especially budget travelers can try visiting Kidepo valley national park in the rainy season. Those that will do will enjoy discounted packages and accommodation fees because it’s a low season and everyone reduces prices to attract the few tourists traveling. Tourists in the rainy season should however be ready for rainfall which falls at any time of day.
