1 / 4Kidepo Valley National Park
Size
1,442 km²
Elevation
914 m
Entry fee
$40
Ideal stay
4 days
Established
1962
Nearest airport
Kidepo Valley Airstrip (within park); Entebbe International Airport (EBB), 700 km southwest via charter flight (~3.5 hours) or overland drive (11-13 hours via Kampala and Moroto)
About Kidepo Valley National Park
Best time to visit
Wildlife highlights
Things to do
Getting there
Nearest town: Moroto town, approximately 120 km south; Kotido, 100 km south; Kampala (capital), 700 km southwest — all accessed via unpaved roads requiring 4WD vehicles
Safari packages visiting Kidepo Valley National Park
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Kidepo Valley National Park?
Park entry fees are $40 USD per foreign national resident and $30 USD per foreign non-resident daily. Average daily safari costs range $250-$350 per person including accommodation (budget lodges $150-$180/night; upmarket lodges $400-$520/night), meals, park fees, and guided game drives. Charter flights from Entebbe to Kidepo Airstrip cost approximately $600-$800 per person return. Compare all-inclusive safari packages and verified operators on SafariFind to find options matching your budget.
What is the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park?
The best time is June to September (dry season) when animals concentrate around permanent waterholes in Narus Valley, roads are passable, and skies are clear for game viewing and photography. December to February is also excellent but hotter. Avoid April to May (long rains) and October to November (short rains) when roads become impassable with mud and wildlife disperses into dense vegetation. Only 5,000 visitors annually reach Kidepo, so even peak season offers solitude compared to other African parks.
What wildlife can you see at Kidepo Valley National Park?
Kidepo is home to 77 mammal species including all Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino), plus species found nowhere else in Uganda: cheetahs, ostriches, aardwolves, caracals, bat-eared foxes, and greater and lesser kudus. Buffalo herds exceed 3,000 animals. The park hosts nearly 500 bird species. Lions are plentiful with documented tree-climbing behavior. Nocturnal species including spotted hyenas and serval cats are best seen on night drives. Seasonal migrations bring additional antelope species to the Narus Valley grasslands.
How do you get to Kidepo Valley National Park?
Fly from Entebbe International Airport (700 km away) to Kidepo Valley Airstrip via charter flight (3.5 hours, $600-$800 per person return). Alternatively, drive overland from Kampala via Moroto (11-13 hours total, requiring 4WD vehicle and high-clearance). The road route covers 350 km to Moroto (8-10 hours on mixed roads) then 120 km to Kidepo (3-4 hours on rough tracks). Charter flights are recommended for time efficiency and comfort given remote location and poor road conditions.