Anybody traveled up to Kidepo by road recently?

Nobody? Really?

Has anybody considered heading up there, but decided not to because of logistical or security concerns? If so, what do you know that I need to know?

I did it in 2002, so things might have changed a bit since then.
great experience, but I didn't prepare well enough.
the rest camp over there is called apoka.
Faboulous spot, had the whole park for myself, but after one night i had to leave because at that time there was no food, no fuel, nothing.
The rangers sold me 20 litres of their own fuel to get back to Kotido.

About safety: you're in karamajong area, which means never 100% sure. these guys all carry AK47 while garding their cattle.

Later i got to meet some people from kotido, i could check if they're still around.

I suppose kotido is now the only place in uganda without tourists, would love to go back myself!

vincent

the place i want to go back to is kidepo off course,
kotido a dusty " end of the world" little town were you only spend the night if you really have to!

but also an experience....

Thanks for the reply. One of the books mentions that Kotido can be interesting on Wednesdays when they have the cattle market. Looks like I might end up there next Wednesday, so we'll see.

I take it you were in your own vehicle. I'll be on public transport. Reading my original post again, I can see how I wasn't particularly clear on that point. At this point I'm planning on giving it a try, unless I'm wildly advised against it when I'm in Mbale.

the advice you will get in mbale will depend on who you re asking.
everybody in uganda fears the karamajong tribe and people in mbale will likely advise you not to go.
taking the bus has a big advantage and safety. they are only used by locals and rarely attacked by thieves. you will probably meet people who live in kotido willing to help and give advise. ( consider a stopover in moroto )
if you have time, just go for it but go slow. it's a remote, "off the beaten track"place and a fine experience.
the problem without a car is reaching kidepo NP from kotido. as i recall, there s no public transport and you will need cash to rent a car to take you there. reaching kidepo, again you will need to rent a 4WD to explore the park, and unless things have changed, there s little chanse to meet other tourists to share expenses.
i don't think it s a good idea to walk the park. rangers joke: "kidepo is the only park in uganda where you don't have to look for the game, the game will be looking for you!"
wish i was there to come along

Hi there,
It is possible to get up to Kidepo by road. We travelled up there in February 2009 from Pader.

Logistics:
Roads: The Mbale-Soroti- Abim-Kotido-Kidepo route is sign posted and the road is graded and is sign posted.

Secruity: It is advisable to stop by one of the army barracks to inquire about the security situation.

Accommodation:
The UWA banda's are not a bad deal at all, its basic and clean and the staff are friendly.
It is a good idea to bring along some food and provisions for your stay, though they do sell cold beer, water and sodas at the banda.
There is also a WWII clunker of a truck that can be hired from UWA to take you round the park on a game drive.

Happy Travels

I can answer the question myself now.

The biggest news is that you can count on the park having food in their basic restaurant, so it's not required to bring your own (wish I had know this myself before I got there). You can confirm this by phoning the park director's wife Josephine, who runs the restaurant: 0782146535. Or calling Patrick, the UWA staff in charge of tourism at the hostel: 0779086239

I ended up doing a big loop though the north, approaching Kidepo from Gulu, then heading south from there to Mbale. Doing things in that direction ensured that i wouldn't need to be traveling at night, which seemed prudent. From Gulu to Kitgum i easily caught a three hour share taxi in the morning, arriving at about 11Am. There is indeed a new UWA office in Kitgum (sorry, I forgot to get the phone number) staffed by Joffrey, who was very helpful. From him I learned that there was a UWA vehicle coming through later in the day that could give me a lift straight to the hostel in the park. That leg took about four hours, which is probably shorter than you should expect, because we were really moving (the park director was in the cab of the truck). You should also give yourself time if you're going to have to switch vehicles at the park entrance. Joffrey can arrange a park vehicle to meet you there, or you can take your chances that you can find transport in Karenga, which could be cheaper (the park vehicle would cost 3000 SH for the 22 kilometers in the park itself, at least that's what the charged me for the ride out).

There was one truck going from Karenga to Kabaang the day I was leaving, so that worked out easily for me. It wasn't clear if there was lodging in Karenga if I needed it, I didn't see it, but I was told very basic rooms were available. THere were no trucks leaving from kaabang that day or the next, but I eneded up not minding, they were two of the most enjoyable days of my whole trip. People were extremely friendly, and the lodging (in the blue building at the southern edge of town, forgot the name) was basic, but comfortable. There is one restaurant in town that didn't scare me, the Riverview (?) up past the junction. Very friendly and clean. I had a great time just sipping beers with locals at some of the tiny roadside pubs.

The next day I was able to hitch a ride in dilapidated truck to Kotido, another freindly beer drinking town, and from there it's easy to catch a early morning bus to any point south. I stayed in a basic hotel listed int the LP (again, can't remember the name, and I gave my book away), but the locals recommended "the Cave" which they said was the same price, and better.

Hope that helps anybody heading up to Kidepo, which i recommend, as much for the journey itself as the park, both are great.

Hello BooBoo, thank you for your info, i'm going to Kidepo on late september so i'm glad to know that the food issues are resolved. Just a question, how much did you pay for the "full board" service at the Hostel?
Cheers
Federico

The "full board" description in the LP isn't exactly accurate. It's just a small, very basic, restaurant that serves simple food (or prepares yours if you bring it). The prices are probably about double what you would expect to pay for similar fare in other parts of Uganda (and reasonably so, considering that everything has to be fetched from Gulu), but still pretty cheap.