Kidepo Valley National Park in a nutshell
Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1,442 km² in Karamoja, the far northeast of Uganda. The land rises from 914 m to 2,750 m. South Sudan lies to the northwest of the park, and Kenya is about 5 km to the east. The park became a national park in 1962. Its heart is the Narus and Kidepo river system around Apoka, where the rivers dry up on the surface in the dry season but pools of water remain.
This guide covers what you can do and plan for a Kidepo trip: Kidepo safari options, the Narus Valley game drive area, wildlife from lions and elephants to ostriches, cheetahs, birds, the people of Karamoja, park fees and the road and air routes from Kampala. Prices are in US dollars or Ugandan shillings (UGX), as listed in 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Kidepo safaris
The three-day road trip from Kampala is the shortest way into the park. The five-day trip adds Murchison Falls, and the 15-day circuit adds a gorilla permit and five more parks.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
15-day Uganda wildlife circuit with Kidepo
- Gorilla permit included
- Park fees for non-residents
- Airport transfers
A circuit through six parks with Kidepo on days 4 and 5, plus Jinja and Sipi. Accommodation and meals are included; ask whether the chimpanzee permit is included before you book.
Check availability →
5-day Kidepo and Murchison Falls safari
- Park fees for non-residents
- Murchison Falls boat trip
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa
Kidepo comes first, after about 11 hours by road from Entebbe, then Aruu Falls and Murchison Falls. Accommodation, meals and airport transfers are included; international flights and visa are extra.
Check availability →
3-day Kidepo safari from Kampala
- Park entry
- Community walk
- Accommodation and meals
Three days with transfers, a game drive and a community walk. Park entry, accommodation and meals are included; visa is extra.
Check availability →Kidepo safaris and trips from Kampala
Multi-day safaris to the Narus Valley by road or air, with live prices and availability.
Uganda national parks and where Kidepo fits
A remote park with a different character from the south.
Most Uganda national parks sit in the west and the south. Kidepo lies far to the northeast, close to the borders, and the journey is part of the trip. In return the Narus Valley gives you open savanna views with mountains on the horizon, and game drives that feel quiet compared with the busier parks. If you want gorillas or chimpanzees, those live in other parks with their own guides: Bwindi and Kibale. For a boat trip and the waterfall, see Murchison Falls.
Kidepo works best as a safari of several days. Read the Uganda safari tours page for how trips from Kampala are put together, and the accommodation page for the types of places to sleep.
Plan your Kidepo trip
Start with the safari page, then pick the pages you need.
Kidepo safari
Game drives, night drives, walks and the activity prices.
Uganda safari tours
Trips from Kampala by road and what to check before you book.
Narus Valley
The main game drive area and why animals gather there.
Kidepo wildlife
Ostriches, lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras and giraffes.
Cheetahs
What is known about cheetahs in the Narus Valley.
Birds
Birdwatching in the northeast, with walks and guides.
Kanangorok hot springs
The river valley and the springs near the South Sudan border.
Karamoja
The region, the Karamojong and what to know before travelling.
The Ik of Mount Morungole
History of the Ik and what is known about visits.
Gulu
The city on the road north towards Kidepo.
Park fees
Entry, vehicles and activities in the 2026 tariff.
Weather and best time
Rain, dry months and what the seasons mean for game drives.
Where to stay
Bandas, camping and lodges, and which area suits you.
Getting there
Road via Gulu, Entebbe airport and transfers.
History
From game reserve to national park and back to rhinos.
A few things to know before you go
Details that change how you plan.
Cheetahs and ostriches live in more than one park
Kidepo is a good place to look for both, but they are also recorded in Pian Upe. Plan for good chances, not a promise.
Cheetah guide →Rhinos are back
Southern white rhinos returned to Kidepo in March 2026, with the first four animals in a secured habitat. Check what is currently offered before you go, and do not plan a trip around rhino tracking.
History →Yellow fever certificate
Since October 2026 the immigration authority no longer requires a yellow fever certificate on entry. Another country you travel on to may still ask for one, so check its rules.
Entry and visas →Road and airport projects are under way
Funding for the Kitgum to Kidepo road was announced on 1 July 2026, and building of a Kidepo airport started in June 2026. Neither is a finished route yet, so plan for a long drive on today's roads.
Routes from Kampala →The tariff runs to December 2026
The current UWA tariff is valid from July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book, and ask on a tour whether permit and park fees are included.
Park fees →More independent Uganda guides
Separate guides from the same team.
Jinja
The source of the Nile, rafting, boat trips and Lake Victoria at Jinja.
Kalangala
The Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria: Bugala, Banda, ferries and quiet beaches.
Bwindi
Gorilla trekking, permits, the four sectors and Lake Bunyonyi in southwest Uganda.
Murchison Falls
Safaris, Nile boat cruises to the falls, shoebills and the Ziwa rhinos.
Queen Elizabeth
Game drives, the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha's tree climbing lions and the Rwenzori.
Kibale
Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi, the crater lakes and Fort Portal.
Lake Mburo
Zebras, boat trips and horseback safaris between Kampala and Bwindi.
Kidepo Valley National Park: frequently asked questions
Where is Kidepo Valley National Park?
In Karamoja, the northeast of Uganda. South Sudan lies to the northwest of the park, and Kenya is about 5 km to the east. The park covers 1,442 km². The getting there page explains the road and air options.
How much is the entrance fee?
An adult foreign non-resident pays $40 per 24 hours, a foreign resident $30 and an East African citizen UGX 20,000 (UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026). Children aged 5 to 15 pay less, and children under 5 enter free. See the park fees page for vehicles and activities.
Can I see cheetahs in Kidepo?
Cheetahs live in the Narus Valley, but sightings cannot be promised. A guide who knows the area improves your chances. Read the cheetah page for more.
Do I need to book in advance?
For a multi-day trip, yes, because transport, accommodation and the route need planning. Ask what is included in the price, especially the park entry and the vehicle fee.
Can I fly to Kidepo?
Do not count on a scheduled flight. Check the current timetable or ask about a charter before you plan around one. The road route from Kampala is described on the getting there page.
Is this the official website of the park?
No. This is an independent travel guide without any link to the Uganda Wildlife Authority or any lodge, airline or safari operator. For binding amounts and rules, check with UWA or the company you book with.