National park · Uganda
Kidepo Valley National Park
Enter Kidepo Valley National Park for UGX 70,000–100,000 (≈$19–$27) per person, drive the main savanna loop (3–4 h) or camp a night; visit Oct–Mar for dry roads, avoid July–Sept rains.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,436 km² (554 sq mi)554 sq mi (1,436 km²)
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Northern Uganda ↗4WD is the practical choice for Kidepo and Ajai; diesel preferred and carry spare tyres — check the vehicle before you leave.
- Northern Uganda ↗Malaria is more prevalent here than in the south; nets and prophylaxis advised.
- Northern Uganda ↗A home-country driving licence is usually accepted — check with your rental company.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 1,436 km² (554 sq mi)554 sq mi (1,436 km²)
- Area listed as 1,436 km²; some sources split land (≈1,200 km²) and water (≈236 km²) – check official data.
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Kidepo Valley National Park in northeast Uganda offers remote savanna landscapes, large predators and rare birdlife, with limited visitor infrastructure and a focus on guided wildlife drives.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
1,436 km² (554 sq mi)554 sq mi (1,436 km²) · national park since 1962
Area listed as 1,436 km²; some sources split land (≈1,200 km²) and water (≈236 km²) – check official data.
Why go
- Remote savanna with large predators and rare birdlife, far from the usual tourist routes.
- Camping under the stars with ranger‑escorted wildlife drives.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings
- FebDry, good visibility
- MarEnd of dry season
- AprWarm, occasional showers
- MayWarm, early rains
- JunStart of rains, still driveable
- JulHeavy rains, mud
- AugPeak rains, roads bad
- SepRainy, limited access
- OctDry, clear skies
- NovDry, cool evenings
- DecDry, comfortable temps
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion, leopard, cheetah, African hunting dog, striped hyenaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rothschild giraffe, elephant, buffalo, zebra, oribiAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Aardwolf, bat‑eared fox, caracal, small catsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Kavirondo bush baby (endemic primate)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey and endemic birds (465 species total)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kampala
Drive 700 km (435 mi) north on rough gravel roads; 4WD recommended; 10–12 h.Drive 435 mi (700 km) north on rough gravel roads; 4WD recommended; 10–12 h.
10–12 h
Open the page →
From Entebbe (airport)
Charter flight to Kidepo Airport (near old headquarters) via Eagle Air or Savannah Wings; then 30 min drive to gate.
≈1 h flight + 30 min road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (old park HQ) | Gate, visitor desk, basic facilities, start of savanna loop. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Savanna loop | Main 60 km (37 mi) drive through open grassland, wildlife viewing points.Main 37 mi (60 km) drive through open grassland, wildlife viewing points. | Self‑drive with 4WD or ranger‑escorted vehicle. |
| Camping sites | Two UWA campsites with rondavels, water tank and latrine. | Book through UWA, ranger escort required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main headquarters at park centre.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | UGX 70,000–100,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check official rates |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Off‑road driving
- Prohibited without a ranger escort; 4WD required on main tracks.
- Walking tours
- Allowed only with armed ranger escort.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use provided camp stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; park enforces zero‑litter policy.
- Camping
- Only at UWA‑managed sites; private camping prohibited.
Where to stay
In the park
UWA Bandas (government‑run camps)
Rondavels with shared kitchen, water tank and latrine.
Near the park
NgaMoru Wilderness Camp
Private cabins, restaurant and bar.
Near the park
Kidepo Savanna Lodge
Comfortable rooms, restaurant, guided drives.
Safety
Wildlife encounters medium
Road conditions high
Tsetse flies low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters and savanna loop reachable by 4WD vehicle; no wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Travel with ranger escorts to limit off‑road impact.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep campsites clean.
- Support UWA‑run camps that reinvest in conservation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kidepo Valley National Park?
Entry is UGX 70,000–100,000 per person (≈$19–$27); pay at the gate when you arrive.
What are the best hikes in Kidepo Valley National Park?
The savanna loop drive (3–4 h) is the most accessible; a guided wildlife walk (2–3 h) offers a chance to see small predators. Both require a 4WD vehicle or ranger escort.
When is the best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park?
Dry season October – March gives the best road conditions and wildlife viewing; avoid July‑September when heavy rains make roads impassable.
Can I camp in Kidepo Valley National Park?
Yes, at the two UWA‑managed campsites; you must book in advance and travel with a ranger escort.
Is a 4‑wheel‑drive vehicle required?
Yes, all main tracks are gravel and can become muddy; 4WD is mandatory, especially outside the dry months.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kidepo Valley National Park
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