Walking in the Kidepo Valley National Park

1. NARUS RIVER VALLEY WALK (Tongabore Track to Apoka Lodge)
This is an outstanding dry season walk due to sections of the Narus River retaining water year-round. This is the only perennial source of water within the entire Narus Valley; consequently the game viewing along the river is excellent. There is a steady flow of Buffalo herds and Elephant families coming down to quench their thirst, whilst numerous Sausage and Albizia Trees provide shade and inviting resting points. This walk is not recommended for first time walkers as you are never far from the action! If completing the full distance you will cover roughly 18 kilometres and it would take a full day to appreciate all this area has to offer. It is possible to shorten this hike and guests may prefer to opt for simply walking a section of the Narus River.

2. LOITANIT RIVER WALK (Southern Boundary Firebreak to Katurum Circuit)
This walk takes us through open savannah which is characterized by excellent game viewing of all grazing species. For anyone who enjoys viewing Buffalo, Zebra, Hartebeest and Warthog, this walk is a must. Taking three or four hours to complete the hike will allow for ample opportunities to appreciate all this area has to offer. The terrain is open, generally flat, but also quite muddy during the rains. Although the distance is only about five or six kilometres, it would be wise to add on some extra time to appreciate the abundant animals and good birdlife in the area.

3. WINIWINY RIVER WALK (Southern Boundary Firebreak to Kakine Circuit)
The Winiwiny and loitanit Rivers unite to form the Narus River. This river only holds water during the rainy season, and this is also the time that large herds of Elephant, Buffalo and other grazers head this far south. They come to take advantage of the abundant food available during the wet season. The terrain along side the river is open grassland and provides an easy walking environment with minimal change in altitude. The walk ends where the Winiwiny River enters the Narus floodplain off the Kakine circuit. Here we meet the vehicle for a well-earned drink and a leisurely half-hour game drive back to the lodge.

4. LOGIRANGOLE RIVER LOOP WALK (from Kakine circuit towards the main gate)
logirangole River is also known as Nangirongoi River. It is a tributary of the of the Winiwiny River, and passes through Interesting game viewing country. There are also numerous Small, shaded rocky outcrops that make for excellent resting points with good views over the surrounding grasslands. This walk is definitely only recommended for during the rains when the river holds water and animals frequent this area.

5. KAKINE CIRCUIT TO KATURUM CIRCUIT (via the Narus Floodplain)
Here is a hike that caters for all levels of walking experience and physical fitness. It can take anything from one to four hours depending on how much of the floodplain we explore and how many animals we encounter along the way. The Narus River forms three large natural pools that retain water right into the late dry season. Large herds of Buffalo and Elephant are often encountered and a small rocky koppie overlooking the third waterhole provides an outstanding place to take a water break and enjoy the views over the surrounding floodplain. During the first three months of the rainy season these grasslands attract large flocks of migratory water birds like White and Abdim's Storks. I have personally seen flocks in excess of a thousand!

6. SHORT WALK ACROSS KAKINE (via Twin Koppies)
This is a great option for those who have never experienced a walking safari before. It covers roughly a mile through open grassland with a gentle downhill gradient. The area is conducive to viewing hartebeest, zebra, buffalo and even eland in the dry season. There is also the chance to climb two small rocky koppies that are sometimes frequented by lions! It is a good opportunity for first time walkers to assess whether they enjoy the bush walking experience.

7. NAGULOKOPIRE WALK (from Kalokaling Track)
This is another easy walk within a twenty minute drive of Apoka Lodge. It is undoubtedly also the best area in the Park for viewing Rothschild's Giraffe. We leave Kalokaling Road and immediately have the opportunity to climb the large Amodwas koppie. The view over the valley from the summit is magnificent and it affords us the chance of spotting animals that we can then approach on foot. (This Koppie also makes for an awesome and adventurous sundowner spot!) Hiking in this area can last anything from thirty minutes to a couple of hours and the walking conditions are easy and suitable for all abilities.

8. LOKIMAIT RIVER WALK ( Croc Pool Walk)
Walking the full length of the Lokimait River is a serious undertaking and demands a full day, as well as a high level of physical fitness. The river winds along for 23 kilometres before it crosses the main road shortly before it enters the Sudan. However, there is also a great option for a three hour loop down into the riverbed to visit three perennial springs. These natural springs appear to be the only source of water in the Nakorumoru Hills during the dry season. The most famous of these springs flows from the base of a thirty meter cliff and is accessed via a narrow steep sided canyon. On my first visit here we found that the small pool containing the spring was also home to a meter long Nile crocodile! (A word of caution. The hills are also home to the Tsetse Fly, and anyone wishing to enjoy a walk here must be able to withstand their annoying presence.)

9. LOSIGIRIA RIVER WALK (from Lokimait Firebreak Road to Boma)
This hike is accessed from the same firebreak road, but we descend into the neighbouring river system. The area is sadly still very much Tsetse Fly country, but for those who are not deterred, the wildlife viewing is excellent in this area. Old duggaboy Buffalo often inhabit the shady riverbed and ravines, so we proceed downstream with caution. There are also plenty of vocal Olive Baboons and Tantalus Monkeys in the surrounding rocky outcrops. Bush Duiker, Oribi and Dafassa Waterbuck are also regularly seen. The walk covers roughly eight to ten kilometres and is comfortably completed in three to four hours.

10. NATURKANKALEMKWES - HYAENA DEN WALK (from Lokimait Track)
Whilst it is impossible to guarantee seeing the Spotted Hyaenas here, there is a relatively good chance as, according to local rangers, they have resided in this area for a number of years. The walk to the den site initially follows an old track and the going is easy, but when we branch off towards Naturkankalemkwes Koppie, the long grass makes our progress slower. It is a great half-day walk for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and a love of hyaenas! Herbivores found in this area are usually limited to the occasional Buffalo, Oribi and Jackson's Hartebeest, although Rock Hyrax are common in the rocky vicinity of the den.

11. LOMEJ PEAKS ( 3 Peaks from Kaikem Ranger Outpost)
This is a great half-day walk, especially during the first few months of the rainy season. At this time the short green grasses attract many buffalo and hartebeest to the plains below the peaks. The area is arguably the best place in the Park to see the shy Klipspringer and even Chanler's Mountain Reedbuck if you are very fortunate. The large Rock Hyrax population also provides food for Verreauxs (Black) Eagle to often soar past these mountains. There is no trail to the top of Lomej and during the climb you gain over five hundred vertical meters, but the panoramic views from the summit are definitely worth the effort. From the top you look out over the lodge, the entire Narus Valley and north into the Sudan.

12. LONYILI TRACK WALK (Kopoth Peak from Opotipot Ranger Outpost)
This is only recommended for the serious hiker with a high level of fitness who demands "getting off the beaten track". The twelve kilometre route to Kopoth follows the old Lanyili Road, and you are required to return via the same route. Sadly this area has been hit hard by poaching and few animals remain, although unusual birds like the Yellow-crowned Bishop are found in the vicinity. The view west from Kopoth Peak looks out towards Kitgum and Acholiland. Small villages and farms occur just a few hundred meters from the Park boundary and this is undoubtedly a major contributing factor to the lack of animal life in this zone.

13. MORUNYANG PEAK WALK (from Imilling Ranger Outpost)
We start off with an hours game drive north to the Imilling Ranger Post. The walk to Morunyang Peak is an hour each way and relatively easy. We make use of a footpath that is maintained by ranger patrols operating in this area. From the summit we are only one kilometre from the Sudanese border and the views north look out over distant villages of the Mening Tribe. Elephants are the most likely wildlife to be encountered in this area, although I was fortunate enough to see a skittish lion pride on my first walk here! Animal sightings depend as much on local rainfall, as fluctuations in the levels of poaching from across the border.

14. KATURUM HILLS WALK (from Old Katurum Lodge to Apoka)
This area is made up three contiguous groups of Hills called Katurum, Moru Akuj and Rwonomoe. These hills form the western side of the Narus Valley, and we find regular vantage points to observe the surrounding areas. This hike is all about variety. The scenery is constantly changing, along with the animal and bird life. Fruiting Rock Figs attract Bruce's Green-Pigeon and White-crested Turaco. On my first walk in this area we saw Oribi, Bushbuck, Klipspringer, Zebra, Hartebeest, Buffalo, Olive Baboon and even two lionesses stalking warthogs in the floodplain below us! This nine kilometre walk can be adjusted to fit any time frame, but a minimum of three hours is recommended to really enjoy this areas spectacular variety.

15. VISITING THE IK AND THE MORUNGOLE RANGE (from Kawalokol)
This hike is both an experience and a serious undertaking. It requires at least one night of rustic camping in an Ik village high up in the Morungole Mountains. The Ik are a unique and relatively unknown tribe that very few Westerners ever have the opportunity to encounter, let alone be their guests and experience their culture. A second night is recommended for those who wish to explore the area and attempt to reach the summit of Mount Morungole. At an altitude of 2750 meters, this is the highest point in the Kidepo Valley National park.

FOOTNOTE:
Not all walks mentioned above are available year round. The season and local weather conditions will affect the suitability of different areas of the Park for walking safaris. It is recommended that you chat to the resident walking guide for current information and recommendations. Ensure that you have neutral coloured clothing (Tsetse Flies especially love dark blue!) and suitable walking shoes.