Kidepo Valley National Park is an isolated rich National Park situated in the wilderness areas in the remote north eastern Uganda in Kaabong district.
It was gazetted in 1962 to protect resident and migratory Wildlife in this area.Isolated from the rest of the country and covered by the sparsely populated arid lands of Karamoja region.
Kidepo valley national park is undoubtedly one of the most alluring national parks in Uganda in the country, boasting a strong wilderness atmosphere, rugged mountain scenery with an exceptional game viewing and bird watching.
The park boasts of 77 mammal species and is also a birding haven for bird enthusiasts with over 463 bird species.
Kidepo valley national park neighbors with the Karamajong people of Uganda and the Masai people of Kenya who largely live a nomadic life and largely dependent on their cattle.
These are among the most primitive tribes in east Africa although this is changing over time with the increasing government programs targeting these communities.
They have been for so long regarded as warriors ready to give-up their lives for their cattle to stay safe. A culture safari in Uganda will take you to these tribes with closely related traits while presenting a rich cultural diversity that is worth being explored.
It is characterized of spectacular beauty with the Narus Valley, a vast plain, nourished by the Narus River that habits several herds of Elephants in this park.
Some of the few and amazing animals that shouldn’t be missed while on a Uganda safari to this park include large herds of African elephants, lions, buffalos, zebras, cheetahs, among others.
A bird watching safari to this national park would be an ideal one since the park is blessed with a big number of bird species.
Kidepo is home of Elephants, Bushbucks, Zebras. Giraffes, Lions, waterbucks, crocodiles, Oribi, Buffaloes, baboons, Hyena and several migratory birds.
The plain relief and grasslands render it favorable to have amazing views of wildlife in this national park.
About the Cheetah; Kidepo’s pride
Take a Uganda safari to Kidepo National Park for a morning magical Uganda wildlife safari game drive to this beautiful cheetah habitat situated in the hills of this isolated national park, described by many as the most magnificent and Africa’s finest wilderness.
As part of your adventure, you will drive through open grasslands in the park and bushy areas of the park, and by luck, you will spot cheetah’s walking, sunbathing or resting in the Park’s lush green hills amidst the bushes.
Get your camera ready and take a memorial photography before you lose sight of the cheetah. Once you miss spotting one, you will not have chance to see a cheetah in any other park apart from Kidepo National Park.
Cheetahs are endangered species in Uganda as listed under Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES).
A cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal and Africa’s most endangered big cat.
They are also the fastest animals in the cat family, but are not the strongest of cats, even a huge predator can chase it away from its kill. It is also the poorest breeder of all cats.
A cheetah has a unique narrow body structure characterized with long legs, a flexible spine, semi-retractable claws, a long tail and the specialized muscles allow for a greater swing to the limbs increasing acceleration making it the fastest animal in the world running an unbelievable top speed of 110 km/hr.
Cheetahs are more active during day because this is when they go hunting which is their major activity. Cheetahs in Kidepo Valley National Park mainly prey on antelopes and gazelles which they stalk within 100 – 300 metres, charge towards them and kill them by tripping them during the chase and biting their throats to suffocation.
Cheetahs are mainly found on flat savannah plains giving them advantage to chase their prey to exhaustion making it easier for them to kill it.
Cheetahs are 99 per cent genetically identical and a virus could wipe out entire populations.
The adult male cheetahs are more sociable compared to others.
Cheaters purr like domestic cats but they cannot roar,
They have semi non-retractable claws which distinguish them from other cats.
Cheaters have beautiful tear marks that run down the face and usually reflect light from the sun.
The cheetahs’ gestation period is three months. Their litter is about 3-8 cubs. Weaning occurs at about six months and that siblings tend to stay together for some time.
Research has it that the Cheetah cubs usually face higher mortality rates than other mammals
This means that if nothing is done to protect them or their habitat, they will become extinct in the near future.
People that have under taken safaris in Uganda to Kidepo National Park Uganda have had chance to spot these cheetahs during their game drive in the park as they admire the different wildlife in the park. Uganda wildlife safaris in this park are rich for you will have chance to site very many animals.
Besides Uganda wildlife safaris, we can also tailor for you a tour in Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari/ Uganda gorilla safari/ Uganda gorilla tour Or to Kibale National Park for a chimpanzee trekking safari.
We have various itineraries that give you chance to explore Kidepo like the 3 Days Kedepo National Park Uganda wildlife safari, 4 Days Kidepo National Park Uganda wildlife safari. Other Uganda wildlife safari packages include; 7 Days Uganda wildlife tour, 8 Days Uganda wildlife safari tour, and many more.
A Uganda Safari to this remote and semi-arid region is enduring and its beauty is worth rewarding. This is the right time to add up memories on to your life by visiting Kidepo valley national park, the true African wilderness.
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