Kidepo Game Reserve

The Kidepo Game Reserve lies on South Sudan's southeastern border and runs directly into Uganda's Kidepo Valley National Park across the frontier, so the two together protect a single block of dry savanna and the animals move between them. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and lion have used the South Sudanese side. Management on this side has been minimal and the reserve is effectively unadministered. The reserve should not be confused with the Ugandan park of similar name, which is the better known and better managed of the two.

Background

The reserve was designated in 1975 and covers 1200 square kilometres of savanna, grassland and woodland in Ikotos and Budi counties of Eastern Equatoria State, at 4° 04'N and 33° 28'E. Three quarters of it lies in Bira Payam of Ikotos County, and part extends into Budi County. The Ketebo, Didinga and Buya peoples live in the area. The name Kidepo comes from the Ketebo word Kidebo, which means help us. With Kidepo Valley National Park on the Ugandan side, the reserve forms a single continuous ecosystem.

Source: Wikipedia, "Kidepo Game Reserve"

The landscape

• The transboundary ground - savanna continuous with Uganda's Kidepo Valley.
• The dry savanna - the habitat across the reserve.
• The animal movement - wildlife crossing between the two countries.
• The border position - the reserve at the southeastern corner.

When to go

December to March is the dry season and the practical window. The rains from April make the tracks impassable. Wildlife concentrates near water in the dry.

Practical notes

There is no functioning management or infrastructure on the South Sudanese side. Wildlife is far more likely to be seen on the Ugandan side of the border. Access needs serious arrangement.

Nearby

Kapoeta is northwest, and the Ugandan border is south.

Key facts