Kidepo safaris and game drives
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tariff for Kidepo covers day game drives, night game drives, self game drives and birding or nature walks. Most visitors drive in the Narus Valley, where animals gather around the pools that remain when the rivers dry up. You can go with a safari company that supplies the vehicle and a driver-guide, with a UWA guide in your own vehicle, or on a self drive.
No safari can promise a particular animal. A good guide improves your chances, and the wildlife page explains what lives in the park. Prices are the 2026 rates in US dollars and Ugandan shillings (UGX), and they change, so check the current amount before you book.
Our picks: Kidepo safaris
All three include game drives in the Narus Valley or Kidepo. The 3-day trip is the quickest; the private 4-day trip from Kampala adds the Kanangorok springs, and the Aruu Falls trip adds a tour of Gulu but leaves accommodation to you.
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.
4-day Kidepo and Aruu Falls tour
- Park entry fees
- Guided Gulu city tour
- Karamojong village visit
Four days from Kampala with a Narus game drive, a walk in Kidepo, Aruu Falls and a guided tour of Gulu. Park entry and meals are included; accommodation is not.
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4-day private Kidepo safari from Kampala
- Morning and evening game drives
- Kanangorok springs
- Accommodation and meals
Private transfers, nature walks, a Karamojong visit and the Kanangorok springs, with accommodation and meals. Ask whether park fees are included before you book.
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3-day Kidepo safari via Gulu and Kitgum
- Park fees for non-residents
- Narus game drive
- Karamojong manyatta visit
Three days by road with a Narus game drive and a visit to a Karamojong manyatta. Park fees, meals, accommodation and airport transfers are included; visa and international flights are extra.
Check availability →Kidepo safaris and game drive trips
Multi-day safaris to the Narus Valley by road or air, with live prices and availability.
Game drives and safari options
What each way of exploring involves.
Day game drive
A drive on the park tracks with a guide, usually in a safari vehicle. This is the core of a Kidepo safari. Gates are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the speed limit in the park is 40 km/h. Stay on the tracks and do not drive off the road.
Night game drive
A UWA guide is compulsory on a night drive. It is meant for guests who stay overnight in the park. Ask your accommodation whether it can be arranged.
Self game drive
A self drive without a private guide or UWA ranger costs $10 per vehicle. That is a fee, not permission to leave the tracks. Remember to add the entry and vehicle fees.
UWA vehicle
A UWA vehicle is offered only where one is available. Do not assume you can rent one on the day, and ask your operator or the park office.
Walks and hikes
A ranger goes with you on every walk. The Rionomoe Trail of about 15 km is a walking option, so ask the park whether it is open. Hikes up Lonyili Summit and Lomej are priced separately in the tariff below.
Birdwatching →Kidepo safari prices in 2026
Per person unless stated. Entry and the vehicle fee are charged in addition. FNR means foreign non-resident, FR foreign resident, EAC East African Community citizen.
| Activity | Unit | FNR | FR | EAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day game drive | Guide | $20 to $25 | $15 to $20 | UGX 20,000 to 25,000 |
| Night game drive | Person | $30 | $20 | UGX 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Birding or nature walk | Activity | $25 | $20 | UGX 20,000 |
| Self drive without a guide | Vehicle | $10 | $10 | UGX 10,000 |
| Lonyili Summit hike | Activity | $50 | $40 | UGX 50,000 |
| Lomej hike | Activity | $40 | $30 | UGX 30,000 |
Day guide and night drive fees vary within these ranges, so ask for the amount in writing before you pay. For most visitors, the simplest plan is a safari with transport, a driver-guide and the park fees in one price, with a night drive added if you sleep in the park. The park fees page has the entry and vehicle tables.
How to plan a Kidepo safari
A few points before you book.
Kidepo is far from Kampala, so a safari usually runs over several days. The Uganda safari tours page explains how trips from Kampala are put together, and the getting there page covers the road and the air options. Decide where you will sleep early, because a night drive depends on it: see the accommodation page.
Dry months bring animals closer to the remaining water, which can help on game drives. Read the best time to visit page for how the seasons work. If you want a longer Uganda trip with a boat safari, look at the Murchison Falls safari guide.
Rules on the tracks are simple. Keep to the tracks, take your litter with you, light fires only at designated places, and do not bring pets. Do not honk or disturb the animals.
Kidepo safari: frequently asked questions
How much does a game drive in Kidepo cost?
A day game drive costs $20 to $25 per guide for a foreign non-resident and a night drive $30 per person. Entry and the vehicle fee come on top. A safari company usually bundles these into one price.
Can I drive myself in Kidepo?
Yes, a self drive without a private guide costs $10 per vehicle. You must keep to the tracks and respect the 40 km/h limit.
Is a night drive possible for day visitors?
Night drives are meant for guests who stay overnight in the park, and a UWA guide is compulsory. Check with the park office before you plan one.
Will I see lions and cheetahs?
There are good chances of seeing wildlife, but no one can promise a specific animal. See the cheetah page and the wildlife page for what to expect.
What is the best time for game drives?
The drier months tend to bring animals to the remaining water. This is a pattern, not a guarantee, and the weather varies year to year. See the weather page.