Mount Morungole stands 2,750 meters tall in Kidepo Valley National Park. The Morungole Mountain range to the northeast of Apoka is the highest point in Kidepo Valley National Park.
With a height of 2,750 meters, Mount Morungole Mountain range is the highest point in Kidepo Valley National Park. Large portions of the southern borders of Kidepo Valley National Park are covered and marked by the Morungole Mountain range, which is northeast of Apoka.
The mountain range may not be particularly tall by comparison to other mountains in Uganda, but the fact that it rises from the Karamoja plains makes it a formidable force. The luxuriant montane forest that covers much of the mountain range is strikingly different from that of Kidepo Valley National Park.
Mount Morungole significantly affects the climate and drainage system in the Kidepo valley national park due to its high altitudinal range from the rest of the Karamoja region.
The movements, personalities, and behaviors of the wildlife as well as the corresponding tourist activities and attractions in Kidepo Valley National Park are ultimately impacted by this.
Mt Morungole: A brief history
A distinctive African community known as the Ik people have their ancestral home on Mount Morungole. The Ik are the smallest of Uganda’s ethnic groups, and they have a fairly traditional lifestyle with strong ties to traditional African culture.
The Ik never venture beyond the Karamoja region, even when they do leave their native homeland. The Ik are so proud of their unique culture and way of life that even the few who travel detest and never wish to adopt Western ideas. They take pride in the traditional African way of life they lead, which is less influenced by outside forces.
Due to its high height in comparison to the rest of Karamoja, the Mount Morungole range has slightly lower temperatures than the surrounding plains. The flora in the mountains themselves has a cooling effect and shields animals from the scorching sun.
The Morungole Mountain range is home to many wildlife species, including birds, monkeys, and smaller solitary mammals, which hibernate there to breed.
Morungole Mountain range should always be crossed by tourists looking for distinctive locations to see distinctive wildlife species in Kidepo Valley National Park.
The location of Mount Morungole
In the southeastern section of Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda, Africa is where you find Mount Morungole.
It is situated close to the Sudanese border in the arid, mountainous province of Karamoja. Mount Zulia and other nearby summits as well as the Labwor and Dodoth Hills have elevations above 2,000 meters.
Mount Morungole: Things to do and see
Visit Kidepo National Park
Since Mountain Morungole occupies the majority of Kidepo Valley, there are many options for tourists to choose from. You can see Morungole Mountain while on a safari in Kidepo Valley, one of Africa’s premier national game reserves.
You may observe a variety of wildlife at Kidepo Valley National Game Park, including Zebras, Elephants, Ostriches, Lions, Cheetahs, Black-backed Jackals, and several bird species.
Hiking Mount Morungole
Despite not being the tallest mountain in Uganda, Mountain Morungole can test your physical condition. With the assistance of a knowledgeable guide, hikers ascend by foot to the summit. It is 2,479 meters above sea level and is situated alongside the Kidepo Valley and the Karamoja Plains.
The Narus River also originates in Mount Morungole. Beautiful scenery can be seen from the Mountain Morungole summit. The mountain’s summit, known as Morungole, is another lovely location for capturing images for your collection.
Cultural Tours
The Karamoja region is home to the Kidepo and Morungole people, who have a particularly distinctive culture. The IK and Karamojong are the two ethnic groups that inhabit the area around the park. These two tribes have incredible cultures, traditions, and ways of living.
You can trek up Mount Morungole to see the IK people, or you can spend the day doing a cultural tour with the Karamojong. Participate in their dances, especially the traditional ones, and pick up some knowledge from them.
Bird Watching
Mount Morungole, which is located inside Kidepo National Park has the second-highest bird species population after Queen Elizabeth national park. This makes it such a worthwhile location for an Uganda birding safari.
The 470 bird species in the area are quite spectacular, and 60 of them have never been seen in another Ugandan park. With roughly 56 different species, the park is particularly well-known for its ability to see raptors.
The dark chanting goshawk, kori bustard, little bee-eater, red and yellow barbet, Abyssinian roller, black-breasted barbet, chestnut weaver, fox kestrel, greater kestrel, Jackson’s hornbill, purple grenadier, pygmy falcon, rose-ringed parakeet, rufous chatterer, and many other birds are among the notable.
Wildlife Viewing
With about 86 mammal species known to exist within areas around Mount Morungole and Kidepo park’s boundaries, wildlife is one of the park’s main attractions. Several animals can be seen roaming through the wilderness.
Rothschild giraffes, lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, elephants, zebras, African buffalo, bat-eared foxes, and antelopes including elands and dik-dik are just a few of the animals that may be seen in the mountain area.
Narus River and Narus valley
The Narus River, which divides the park in half, is a superb location for animals in a semi-desert region. Numerous mammals, some of which are found nowhere else in the nation, can be viewed at the Narus River Point.
There are many different species of wildlife to observe when on a game drive through the Narus valley, which is a significant habitat for wildlife.
Lions, Cheetahs, Bush backs, Foxes, Kori Bastards, Ostriches, Abyssinian Hornbills, Scarlette-chested Sunbirds, Kori, Elephants, Kudus, Buffalos, Leopards, Giraffes, Zebras, Hyenas, many other creatures are just a few examples.
Additionally, there is an opportunity to learn about the Karamojongs’ way of life, as they are gifted with works of art created by hand.
Conclusion
Prepare to travel to Mount Morungole during a dry month if possible. This is because the roads to Morungole and Kamion can become quite challenging to access during the rainy season.
Additionally, there are no significant gas stations between Kaabong and Kitgum, so regardless of the direction you are coming from, make sure to fill up in Kaabong.
Some of the notable places to visit around the mount Morungole area include the magnificent Kidepo Valley, National Park.
Through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, tourists can book a variety of game drives and lodging choices, including camping right in the center of the park and close to the mountain.
