National Park · Northeastern Uganda (Karamoja)
Kidepo Valley National Park
Remote and rarely crowded — often cited among Africa's most unspoiled wilderness areas, with wildlife found nowhere else in Uganda.
How to get there
By scheduled flight from Entebbe is the practical option; the road route from Kampala is a full-day drive through the Karamoja region.
What to find
Cheetah and ostrich (not found in Uganda's other parks), large predator populations, and dramatic semi-arid mountain scenery.
Overview
Kidepo Valley National Park covers about 1,442 km² of rugged savanna in Uganda's far northeast, framed by mountains along the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. It's remote, uncrowded and often called one of Africa's finest wilderness parks.
The Narus Valley holds most of the wildlife year-round, including large buffalo herds, elephants, lions and species found nowhere else in Uganda, such as cheetah, ostrich, bat-eared fox and caracal. In March 2026 white rhinos returned to a protected sanctuary in the park, the first rhinos here since 1983.
Highlights
- Wildlife unique in Uganda: cheetah, ostrich, lesser kudu and caracal
- Rhinos back in Kidepo from March 2026, in a protected sanctuary
- The Narus Valley, with big buffalo herds and lions on the rocks
- Karamojong cultural visits in the surrounding communities
- The Kidepo River's sand bed and borassus palms
Things to do
Game drives
The Narus Valley circuits, great all year for lions, buffalo and elephants.
Guided nature walks
Ranger-led walks in the savanna and around Apoka.
Karamojong cultural visits
Visit a traditional manyatta (homestead).
Kidepo Valley drive
A drive to the sand river and the Kanangorok hot springs near the border.
Best time to visit
The dry season (September to March) concentrates animals around water. April to August is greener and very scenic.
Getting there
Most visitors fly: scheduled flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi take about 2 hours. By road it's a long day or two from Kampala, often broken in Gulu or combined with Murchison Falls.
Where to stay
Lodges and bandas around Apoka, from a UWA rest camp to an upmarket lodge overlooking the valley.
Kidepo Valley National Park
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Uganda →
Good to know
- Flying in saves two long days on the road.
- Stay at least two nights. The park rewards time.
- Ask us about the new rhino sanctuary and current viewing arrangements.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.