Self-drive safari to Kidepo valley national park offers superb sightings of cheetahs, lion, leopard, elephant, harte beest, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda kob and warthog.

Ranked by CNN travel as the the true African wilderness. The park’s habitat include classic semi-desert savannah, seasonal river valleys and swamps which are home to77 different mammals and over 475 bird species.

Kidepo is located in the remote north eastern Uganda karamoja region along the border with north eastern Kenya and south Sudan. A 4 wheel drive car is a must have for self-drive safari because the journey is long and there are several dirt roads.

Day 1: Kampala to Kidepo

Driving distance and time: 571 km via Kampala-Gulu–Kitgum or 780 km journey via north eastern Uganda Mbale, soroti, kotido to kidepo.

In the morning after breakfast depart Kampala to kidepo using any of the alternative routes. The Kampala-Gulu route takes about 9-10 hours. While the Kampala-Mbale-soroti-Kabong route takes about 12 hour drive and offers views of Mount Elgon. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge of choice or Uganda wildlife Bandas/ Apoka rest camp

Day 2: Kidepo valley national park

Early morning go for a game andexplore Narus valley looking for wildlife viewing. You may spot game such as lions, leopards, jackals, elephants, eland, Uganda kob, Rothschild’s giraffe, bush duiker, bush pig. The bird species are over 457 including 56 birds of prey of which 16 are endemic to the area including pygmy falcon, verreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture.

Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge

Day 3: game viewing

Wake up early for a morning game drive into the narus valley popular for game drives because of its permanent water pools and river where wildlife congregates during for a drink during the dry season.

You may have lunch at the lodge or you go with packed lunch to spend all day out watching wildlife. Have dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 4: cultural walk and hiking

A hike from Apoka tourism center starting at 07:00 a.m. after breakfast takes you to Mount morungule 2750 meters. Cultural enthusiast can enjoy authentic interaction withthe IK indigenous, the smallest ethnic tribe in Uganda who live on the slopes of the mountain. Return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: departure

After breakfast you will depart for Kampala your preferred route. Arrive back in Kampala late evening and drop off the car.