Safety – Security Kidepo Valley Park in 2022-2023
Is it safe to travel to Kidepo Valley Park – Karamoja Region – Uganda in 2022-2023?
It is safe to fly or drive to Kidepo Valley Park. There is no insecurity, increased military presence, armed rangers in the Park, and the extra Tourism Police add to your safety and security in one of Africa’s most remote parks.
Search for travel to or within Northeastern Uganda (including Kidepo Valley Park), and you will get mostly negative feedback about how to avoid driving to Kidepo Valley Park and the Karamoja region of Northeastern Uganda.
Such notices are outdated and do not consider that things have changed in the last ten years in the Karamoja region and Northern Uganda.
Yes, for many years, one of the most remote parks and its wildlife were accessible only to those who could fly into the Park, which was and remains expensive today. A few other hardy souls would venture off in a safari vehicle and manage to get through after a most arduous journey.
Things are changing, have changed, and will change as more tourists choose to visit Kidepo Valley Park and the regions beyond as the word has gotten out about the beauty and wildlife of Kidepo Valley Park in the media, including CNN.
The renowned and respected Bradt Guide Book to Uganda has stated so in its most recent 7th Uganda Guidebook edition, which came out at the end of 2013. “Happily, the complications along both routes (to Kidepo Valley National Park) have now been removed, and the expanses of eastern Uganda have been thrown open to modern-day explorers. The L.R.A. (Lord’s Resistance Army) war ended, enabling travelers to reach Kidepo National Park via Gulu and Kitgum. Travel in Karamoja was also widely considered safe and practical for the first time.
The government has disarmed the Karamojong warriors and significantly improved regional roads, while mobile phone networks now cover the region. Karamoja might still separate Mount Elgon and Kidepo. Still, the 400 km distance is now an adventure rather than a hazard, a marvelous journey through a land of wild, rugged, and often breathtaking beauty inhabited by a people who have clung to their traditional way of life with admirable persistence.”
The 7th Bradt Uganda Guidebook further states safety and security in Northeastern Uganda, “Everyone we spoke to U.W.A. (Uganda Wildlife Authority) officials, hoteliers and local expatriates – affirmed that this route is safe. The only reservations were that travel after dark should be avoided, as should be explorations off of the main route in the direction of the Kenyan border.”
Presently the U.K. and U.S. diplomatic missions in Kampala have not lifted their long-standing travel advisories – we look forward to that happening shortly. Tour operators such as Kabiza Wilderness Safaris stay in touch with Uganda Wildlife Authority and other tour operators that run safaris to Kidepo Valley Park. We also keep an eye on any news or Ugandan government reports about security in and around Kidepo Valley National Park and other parks in Uganda.
Safety – Security Kidepo Valley Park – If there are good or bad changes, we will report them here and on our Facebook Page – in the meantime, enjoy your journey to the remote and unvisited Kidepo Valley Park surrounding areas.
Please Note – in early 2022, there were some troubles that Turkana Cattle Raids from neighboring Kenya caused problems in the area south of Moroto, which is a day’s drive south of Kidepo Valley. President Museveni became involved and ordered a heavy military presence then, and calm returned to the area.
Things to do and see at Kidepo Valley Park – Uganda
Kidepo Valley Park – remote and unvisited
U.W.A. Rangers – keeping National Parks Safe and Secure
Safety – Security Kidepo Valley Park – should you have any questions, please get in touch with us.
