History
South Sudan was once a red-lined country that was characterized as one of the most dangerous countries to visit due to the political turmoil it faced for many years. Its breakthrough to sovereignty was a major turning point in its development. Unity does not always favor all as the united country of Sudan was. When Sudan as a country gained independence in 1962, it met the end of the colonial era and the beginning of self-rule. However, this was not a journey of silver and gold but rather discrimination and war. The Northerners took the highest ruling positions of governance at the expense of the Southerners who later rebelled. Several civil wars, riots, and rebellions followed the Southerners were seeking a say on the political scene of their country. The northerners responded with heavy force and most of the leaders were killed, abducted, and kidnapped. A casing point is John Garang a revolutionary leader of the southerners who was killed in a plane crash on his way from Uganda. It is believed the northerners had something to do with his death and this sparked off country-wide protests and civil war that led to the separation of the two regions into two countries. In July 2011, South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan.
Overview
Kidepo Valley Game Reserve in South Sudan is located on the border with Uganda in the Ikoto and Budi counties. The game reserve is one of the remotest protected areas on the African continent and was established in 1975. Situated in the northeastern region of the country, Kidepo Valley Game Reserve covers approximately 1,200 square kilometers of untamed beautiful awaiting exploration. The game reserve emerges with the Kidepo Valley National Park across the border of Uganda to form a contiguous ecological system. Due to its location in the remote areas of the country, Kidepo Valley Game Reserve exposes the uncharted treasures of nature that take visitors down memory lane when nature was still pure and virgin. The game reserve has incredible landscapes of various ecological systems, and spanning species of wildlife and birdlife. A visit to Kidepo Valley Game Reserve is a great way to indulge in wildlife adventures in a quiet and remote environment away from civilization.
Why should one visit Kidepo Valley Game Reserve for a safari tour?
Visiting Kidepo Valley Game Reserve is like taking a trip back in time before the civilization era. This is because the reserve offers a purely untamed and uncharted safari experience with spanning sceneries and flora and fauna species to encounter. Several reasons explain why a visit to Kidepo Valley Game Reserve is worthwhile and below are some of them.
Wildlife
Kidepo Valley Game Reserve is a protected area gifted by nature. It houses various wildlife species that are unique and rare to spot. The vegetation zones in Kidepo Valley Game Reserve such as savannah plains and given its location in the valley, the reserve is fit for hosting wildlife. Elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes to mention but a few are some of the common wildlife species to spot on a safari experience to the reserve. Cheetahs and wild dogs are some of the rarely seen species that are also present in the game reserve.
Beautiful scenery
Kidepo Valley Game Reserve is strategically located between the highlands and mountains of the Karamojong region on the side of Uganda creating a beautiful valley of wilderness. As the sun rises behind the highlands at dawn, it unveils the natural beauty of the reserve and the warmth of the wilderness giving breathtaking sceneries.
Cultural tours
Kidepo Valley Game Reserve on top of having exclusive safari adventure experiences, also uncovers the cultural heritage of the local people. The areas around the reserve are harbored by the Dinka people. Cultural interaction with these people will expose their traditional lifestyle like cattle keeping.
Birdlife
The Kidepo Valley Game Reserve also doubles in hosting several bird species as it does with the wildlife. Over 470 bird species can be spotted in the different vegetation zones in the reserve. There are both migratory and endemic bird species. Expect to encounter some bird species such as ostriches, kori bustards, secretary birds, red-throated bee-eaters, and the Abyssinian ground hornbill to mention but a few.
What are the different activities done in Kidepo Valley Game Reserve?
With the many flora and fauna species in the game reserve and other physical features, Kidepo Valley Game Reserve offers various tourist activities to equal them. Below are some of the following activities.
Game drives
Game viewing is a major tourist activity in the game reserve given the many wildlife species it harbors and its sheer size. Visitors enjoy quality time with several wildlife species like elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and ostriches, to mention but a few in the comfort of a safari vehicle. Kidepo Valley Game Reserve’s location in the remote wilderness offers an excluded and solitude experience since there are always few people.
Birdwatching
Kidepo Valley Game Reserve offers impressive birdwatching adventure experiences. The game reserve attracts large numbers of birds because of its excluded and remote nature where the birds can roam freely. Experienced birders accompany the visitors along designated birding trails in this bird paradise for a chance to spot several bird species. Migratory and resident or endemic birds can be encountered on this adventure.
Guided nature walks
Kidepo Valley Game Reserve offers the best natural walk experience with the guidance of armed professional guides. Guided nature walks offer the best opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the game reserve and bond with the untamed nature. Visitors can encounter several bird and wildlife species along the designated walking trails. The rugged terrain and scattered vegetation zones in Kidepo Valley Game Reserve offer different experiences.
What is the best time for safari tours to Kidepo Valley Game Reserve?
South Sudan receives an equatorial type of climate with two wet and dry seasons every year. Kidepo Valley Game Reserve is open to visiting all year round however the dry season which runs from June to September and December to February offers the best safari time. This is because the park is dry with sparse vegetation which makes spotting wildlife easy. The wet season which runs from March to May and October to September has its advantages also such as it is the best time for birdwatching since it is the breeding time for the birds and the best time to spot migratory birds.