The Narus Valley in Kidepo Valley National Park
The Narus Valley is found in Kidepo Valley National and is one of the most visited destinations for safaris in Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northeastern part of Uganda. This is the most isolated park in Uganda. The park is home to many wildlife species and was gazette in 1962. Its name originates from the local word which means “to pick” in the Karimajong. The Karimajong are one of the indigenous communities living within the park. The region experiences a semi-arid type of climate with one rainy season.
This Narrus Valley experiences a temperature of over 400 C. This is one of the explanations for the savannah type of vegetation in the park. A safari to Narus Valley of Kidepo National Park introduces travelers to many grazers as well as hunters. Imagine getting a one-on-one encounter with a group of cheetahs or lions! Kidepo Valley National Park is home to over 75 mammal species and over 450 bird species which are recorded within the park. The park is divided into two valleys, the Narus and Kidepo valleys.
Narus Valley is one of the sectors of the park which is ever having water throughout the year. In the Karimajong language, the word Narus means “muddy or soggy’’. While in this valley, there are several swamps and oases to see since the river Narus in the rainy season usually drains within this valley. The valley holds water throughout the year and usually, that’s where the wildlife collects during the dry seasons of the year.
What to see in the Narus Valley?
While in the Narus Valley, there are several attractions that travelers can see during Uganda safaris. These include among others but are not limited to the following;
Wildlife
The Narus Valley is home to various wildlife since it has plenty of water and food for the wildlife. Travelers on a Uganda safari have a high chance of spotting several wildlife species like lions, cheetahs, elephants, large herds of buffaloes, antelopes, and many others. During the high temperatures in the park about 40 degrees, travelers tend to spot the wildlife near the water sources within the valleys.
Narus River
The Narus River is the main water source in the valley for the wildlife. It supplies water throughout the year. The river is a tributary of Lake Turkana flowing into the northwest of the park. It plays a great role in the ecosystem of the valley. During the dry season, most wildlife are spotted around the river. The economic activity carried out on the river is usually fishing by the local communities.
Bird species
While in the valley, there are several bird species recorded over 450 bird species. While in the valley we also have endangered species of birds. The most popular bird species travelers can easily spot is the ostrich which is large to be spotted. The other bird species include the kingfishers, sparrows, hoopoes, kori bustard, secretary bird, little weaver, Karamoja apalis, and many others.
Mountain Morungole
This is found at the beginning of the Narus Valley and the mountain runs towards the South Sudan border. The mountain also hosts the Ik community at its slopes which is the smallest cultural community in Uganda. The hiking of this mountain is quite challenging and it requires the traveler to be physically fit and the ranger guide will take you through the hiking in the mountain. As you conquer the village, you will have a view of the Manyattas of the IK communities.
Which activities can I do in the Narus Valley?
The activities that the travelers on the Uganda safaris in the Narus Valley can engage in include;
Game drive
This activity offers travelers a close encounter with the wildlife in the valley. The activity is done in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up that aids the viewing of the wildlife in the area. The wildlife that is usually seen includes lions, cheetahs, elephants, large herds of buffaloes, and many others.
Birding
There are several bird species and there are about 450 species that can be seen in the park and about 50 of these birds can be found only in this valley. While in this valley you will have to see bird species like the kori bustard, kingfisher, Karamoja Apalis, little weaver, and many others.
Cultural counters
In the valley, there is a community living on the slopes of the mountain Morungole which is one of the indigenous communities. The community lives in the plains of the Karimajong in their manyattas.
IK lost most of their land to the wildlife in the park. They take pride in having many children and also engage much in polygamy marriage.
Where to stay in the Narus Valley
The Narrus Valley has a variety of accommodation facilities for travelers. These facilities range from budget to mid-range and luxury. Spending a night in any of the lodges in Kidepo Valley National Park allows you to connect with nature. Waking to the sounds of elephants and birds is a dream come true. The lodges in this park have amenities like a swimming pool and Internet connectivity throughout your stay. Talk to a travel specialist about your accommodation needs now.
How to access the Narus Valley?
Kidepo Valley National Park has two main access points (gates). These include the Apoka Gate which is near the park headquarters and also the Ntebeko Gate. The other gates include; Lopi, Kalokudu, Lotukei, and Nataruk. Through all these gates, you can easily access the Narus Valley for a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park.
What is the best time to visit the Narus Valley in Kidepo Valley National Park?
The valley is open for travelers throughout the year. June to September and December to February are the best times to visit the park. During this period, wildlife viewing is clearer since animals converge at the water sources in the Narus Valley. It is a perfect time to find the hunters at work and take a memorable picture of your dream.
Now that you know everything about the Narus Valley, book your safari and create a signature of memories. Whether it is taking a game drive in the park or doing a cultural tour, Kidepo Valley National Park is a nice place to be for a safari. The niceness and the rich wildlife diversity of the Narus Valley are worth every traveler’s time.
