Kidepo wildlife at a glance
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in Karamoja in north-eastern Uganda and covers 1,442 square kilometres. The mix of open savanna, rocky hills and dry river valleys supports ostriches, lions, buffalo, elephants, zebras and giraffes. The park has more than 77 mammal species. Most of the action happens in the Narus Valley, where animals gather at the remaining water in the dry season.
Being present is not the same as being seen. No guide can promise a lion, a cheetah or a particular antelope on a given day. Plan the trip for the landscape and treat each sighting as a bonus.
Our pick: a Kidepo game drive
A four-day Kidepo trip from Entebbe with a game drive in the Narus Valley, the part of the park where most wildlife is seen.
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.
Kidepo wildlife safaris
Game drives and multi-day safaris to look for elephants, lions, buffalo and zebras, with live prices and availability. No tour can promise a sighting.
Which animals live in Kidepo
The main groups, and where to look for them.
Ostriches
Ostriches live on the open plains. They are not unique to Kidepo within Uganda, because they are also found in the Pian Upe reserve.
Lions
Lions live in the park, and they are the cats most visitors hope to see. No sighting can be promised. See the section on lions below.
Elephants
Elephants live in the park. In the dry season animals gather at the remaining water, so look near the pools.
Buffalo
Buffalo live in the park in large numbers. Stay in the vehicle and keep your distance from all wildlife.
Zebras and giraffes
Zebras and giraffes both live in the park. Look for them on open ground and near the trees.
Cheetahs
Cheetahs are rare here. Read the cheetah guide for the details.
Ostrich in Kidepo
The ostrich is the largest bird in the park. Ostriches live on open grassland, so scan the plains from the vehicle. They also live in the Pian Upe reserve, so Kidepo is not their only home in Uganda.
African lion in Kidepo
A survey in 2022 modelled about 12 lions for the whole park, with wide uncertainty, and directly recorded 5 different animals over one year. Those figures are from that period and are not a count of today.
Buffalo and elephants
Buffalo and elephants both live in the park. Elephants are most likely near water during the drier months, when animals gather at the remaining pools.
Rothschild's giraffe and zebras
The giraffe in Kidepo is the Nubian giraffe, also known as Rothschild's giraffe. 14 animals were moved here from Murchison Falls in 2018. You can read more about the park where they came from in the Murchison Falls wildlife guide.
Zebras live on the open plains. Keep your distance and your voice low.
Rhinos are back
Southern white rhinos returned to Kidepo in March 2026, with the first four animals arriving in a secured habitat. Ask the park whether and how visitors can see them, and do not plan a trip around a rhino sighting.
How to look for wildlife
Three ways to see the park, each with its own fee.
Day game drive
Drive the tracks early in the morning or late in the afternoon with a guide. A guide costs $20 to $25 for foreign non-residents, plus park entry and the vehicle fee. Confirm the amount in writing.
Night game drive
A UWA guide must come along, and the drive is for guests who sleep in the park. The fee is $30 per person.
Walks
Walks go with a ranger. A birding or nature walk costs $25 for foreign non-residents. Ask which routes run on your dates.
The tariff applies from July 2024 to December 2026 and may change, so check the current amount before you book. Gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00, the speed limit is 40 km/h, and you stay on the tracks. Entry for foreign non-residents is $40 for adults and $20 for children aged 5 to 15 for 24 hours. See the park fees page for all rates and the Kidepo safari guide to plan the days.
Kidepo wildlife: frequently asked questions
Which animals can I see in Kidepo?
Ostriches, lions, buffalo, elephants, zebras and giraffes live in the park, along with cheetahs and many birds. No sighting is guaranteed.
Are there ostriches in Kidepo?
Yes. Ostriches live on the open plains. They are also found in the Pian Upe reserve, so Kidepo is not the only place for them in Uganda.
Are there rhinos in Kidepo?
Southern white rhinos returned in March 2026, with the first four animals in a secured habitat. Do not plan on seeing one. Ask the park what is possible on your dates.
How many lions live in Kidepo?
There is no current count. A survey in 2022 modelled about 12 lions for the park with wide uncertainty, and 5 different animals were directly recorded over one year.
Where do the giraffes come from?
14 Nubian giraffes, also called Rothschild's giraffes, were moved from Murchison Falls to Kidepo in 2018.
How much does park entry cost?
An adult foreign non-resident pays $40 per 24 hours, and children aged 5 to 15 pay $20. Children under 5 enter free (UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026). See the park fees page.