Kidepo Valley National Park Rwanda

Covers an area of 1,442km² with an altitude range between 914m and 2,750m above sea level and 571 km from Kampala. This national park was made a gazette as a national park in 1962, and accommodates 77 mammal species and over 475 bird species. It might be the furthest national park from Kampala but the long journey is rewarding once you get to this semi-arid area. This region is a home to the IK Hunter gatherer tribe that is threatened.

 

ACTIVITIES

Narus Valley Game Drive (Big game viewing)

Game viewing is at its best as early as 0600hrs when a number of animals are making their last hunt before taking refuge in their habitats from the scorching sunshine and 1600hrs when the animals graze as the afternoon sunshine fades and the heat reduces. Animals congregate in the southerly Narus Valley most of the time of the year as water is guaranteed in this area.

Look out for buffaloes and elephants in swamps along the valley floor, giraffes and elands on the drier slopes above and scan the rock outcrops for lions.

Nature walks 

Nature walks around Kidepo valley national park are an exciting alternative to the more strenuous trails in East Africa matching many attractions in other areas, a milder climate, lower elevation and requires no special equipment or technical experience. These will also expose you to the endangered Ik hunt gatherers.

 

Cycling trips

You’ll take the cattle paths of the nomadic pastoralists and learn about the pastoral culture, biking tour through community villages and interact with indigenous communities, and ride over abandoned colonial roads.