All National Park tariffs indicated below are effective 01 January 2009 through 30th June 2010
UWA New tariffs document Jan 2009 - June 2010 (148KB)

Commercial Filming Fees:
Commercial filming in this Category 'B' Protected Area is US$100- per person per day plus a refundable fee of US$1,000- when you provide UWA a copy of the film.

Fines:
The fine for those caught driving off track without permission will be fined US$150-.
Over speeding fines Ushs100,000- per offence.
Accident fee for killing animals US$500-.

Maps:
A map is available of the national park and surrounding area. Purchase in Kampala at the offices of UWA for Ushs10,000-

Accommodation:

Apoka Hostel

The Apoka hostel is essentially the only budget option for visitors to Kidepo other than camping for those with their own equipment. The hostel provides merely a place to sleep and nothing else. You will need to provide your own food stuffs and cooking equipment should you need to stay here. For details of the pricing structure see details in National Park tariff structure above.

Apoka Lodge

A franchise to manage and operate Apoka Lodge was won by The Green Wilderness Group who own the Semliki Game Lodge in The Semliki Game Reserve. The newly refurbish lodge opened early 2006 with major infrastructure changes and higher pricing.

For reservations and bookings contact The Uganda Safari Company, tel: +256 (0)41 251182 or +256 (0)772 489497, Fax: +256 (0)41 434 4653, or email: info@wildplacesafrica.com, www.wildplacesafrica.com.

The lodge now comprises 10 rooms each built of wood, thatch and canvas that spring from a large rock kopje. Each unit has a well appointed uninterrupted view of the Narus River Valley.

The accommodation overview is outlined below

6 rooms with 1 King size bed
4 rooms with 2 queen size beds
All beds have mosquito nets, electric lights and power points (Generator is turned off at 11pm.)
All rooms have en-suite bathroom with flush toilets, double basins, shower with large shower rose, and hot and cold running water
Hot water is solar powered
All rooms have private outdoor bathtub, with privacy screening
All rooms have sitting area inside the room as well as private veranda with comfortable seating

Rates 2009

Non-Residents

Double / Twin room: US$405- (FB) per person per night
Single room is US$450- (FB) per night

East African Residents

Double / Twin room: US$244- (FB) per person per night
Single room is US$295- (FB) per night

Children’s rates on request

The above price includes the cost of your local airstrip transfers, accommodation, meals, ground transportation at the lodge, fuel, game drives and walks, safari guides, ranger guide fees, laundry services and all applicable taxes. It also includes guests’ drinks (beer, sodas, water, house wine and non-premium spirits).

The above prices excludes some type of drinks (premium spirits, wines other than the house wine - paid as taken), UWA park entrance fees, a visit to the local community (US$100- per trip), landing fees and tipping of staff.

Access:
There are 3 main access routes by road
1) Kampala-Lira-Kotido-Kaabong-Kidepo 705 KMS
2) Kampala-Mbale-Soroti-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong 792 KMS
3) Kampala-Mbale-Siroko-Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong 740 KMS

The route from Kitgum is considered far too unsafe. All routes have a security problem. Before embarking north from Lira, Mbale or Soroti you would be advised to communicate with UWA to find out which route their staff our currently using when traveling to Kampala from Kidepo. Police and military along the route will provide more up to date information on road conditions and possible insecurity.

Please note that from Kotido to Kaabong the road passes via Kanawauat and not via Losilang as indicated on most maps.

Road conditions can be very difficult in the rain season. Between Mbale and Moroto there are sections of potentially very severe mud. Much of the Lira-Kotido route is fast gravel and marrum in the dry season. Care should be observed between Kaabong and the Park entrance where the road is in poor condition with culvert wash aways and sharp bends with loose gravel. Midway along the Moroto-Soroti road a view of the steep volcanic plug Alekilek can be seen. On the Lira-Kotido route 55 kms from Kotido the massive bare rock mountain known as Alerek lies. For much of the latter part of this journey there are views of the Labwor hills.

You will spend the best part of 2 days driving to Kidepo from Kampala on any of the above routes. Consider overnighting in Lira both north and south bound or Moroto (Mount Moroto Hotel) northbound and in either Mbale/Sipi Falls or Soroti (Spring Palms Hotel, camping possible) southbound.

In Kaabong beers and sodas are readily available as are other basic provisions. There are no foodstuffs available for sale in the park although the Apoka Rest Camp on occasions does have drinks for sale. Essentially come prepared with all you will need to be comfortable for your visit.

Access is possible by charter service from Entebbe. MAF, United Airlines, Eagle Aviation and KAFTC all operate to Kidepo. Flight time is approx 2 hours. The majority of foreign visitors to Kidepo come by chartered aircraft. Challenge Air has introduced a new service (mid 2003) with scheduled flights operated every Friday and Sunday from Entebbe to Kidepo National Park.

Mechanical Emergencies:
At Apoka the National Park has a large workshop. This is a grave yard to many broken vehicles that have had just about all serviceable parts priviously removed. You never know you may be lucky if you are in dire straits!

Medical Emergencies:
There is no confirmation of qualified medical personal on hand at Apoka. Moroto has a hospital. Kaabong and Kotido have health clinics. There is an airstrip at Lomej (3 kms) from Apoka. Charter services are rare from Entebbe. The National Park does have it's own aircraft at Apoka in additional to HF radio communications.

Location:
Kidepo Valley NP nestling in Uganda's northern frontier between the borders of Kenya and Sudan. Kidepo NP at 1442 sq km of savannah and mountain landscapes are home to an abundant variety of wildlife and plant species. The Narus valley is situated in the SW of the park, the Napore-Nyagia mountain range forms the parks western boundary. To the north in Sudan are the Lotukei mountains and the Morungole range marks the parks southern boundary.

Wildlife:
Much of the wildlife is concentrated within the Narus Valley where the Apoka rest camp is situated. Kidepo is the only Ugandan park where the Rothchilds Giraffe and Burchell's Zebra can be seen together. Ostrich have been re-introduced. Lions are not uncommon. Sightings of white Buffalo are specific to Kidepo although unusual. Large herds of Buffalo are to be seen roaming Kidepo. Although in Uganda's troubled past the population of Kidepo's Elephant where heavily poached they are now common in the Narus Valley.

Of 80 species of mammals recorded in the park 28 where not known to occur in any other Ugandan park. Uniquely Bat-eared Fox, Stripped Hyena, Cheetah and Caracal are very uncommon sightings. Less common ungulates include Lesser and Greater Kudu, Roan Antelope and the Besia Oryx. Populations of which have been very heavily poached in recent years. Common antelope sightings include Eland, Defassa Waterbuck, Oribi, Bohor Reedbuck, and Jacksons Hartebeest.

Bird Life:
Associated with arid regions of particular interest is the Kori Bustard. Raptors endemic to Kidepo and the Karimoja region to be seen include the Black Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, and Pygmy Falcon. There are 4 species of hornbill that include the giant Abyssinian Hornbill.

Best Time To Visit:
Dry season will offer the best chance of Lion sightings and easiest access by road to Kidepo. The rainy seasons are April to May and October to November. Tsetse fly is very bad in the acacia forest in Kidepo. This nuisance factor is continual throughout the year but worse in the rain season.

Other Attractions:
With special arrangements a visit to the 'Kidepo River Valley' can be arranged to view the Borassus Palm forest. Kanangorok hot springs are 11 kms from the Kidepo River Valley. Interaction with Karamajong with visits to kraals and manyatta's is possible around Kidepo. Taking a National Parks guide who can deal with communication problems will add to the experience. Kaabong has a large number of Karamajong present throughout the day. The purchase of stools, jewelry, knives and spears can be entered into. Karamajong men are however difficult to deal with and often drunk, care should be taken if alone on a remote section of road.

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