Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park: Kidepo valley national park in Uganda is a jam worth exploring. Also referred to as the ‘Masai Mara’ of Uganda, Kidepo valley national park is by far the most beautiful savannah national park in the country. The park is blessed with a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, bat eared fox, Beisa Oryx, warthogs, Oribis, eland reedbuck, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, side striped jackal, spotted hyena, bird species like little green bee- eater, Kori bustard, red and yellow barbet, pygmy falcon, Abyssinian ground hornbill, hornbills among others and not forgetting the ostrich bird which can only be found in this national park.

The park is an isolated protected area located in the remote Karamoja region in the northeastern part of Uganda. The national park offers its visitors a range of safari activities such as game drives, nature walk, bird watching, cultural encounters, and hiking among others.

Accommodation in Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation in Kidepo valley national park ranges from budget, mid-range and luxury facilities some of which include;

Apoka Safari Lodge

Apoka safari lodge in Kidepo valley national park is an up-scale lodge which is located at the heart of the park. The lodge has 10 luxury rooms, 4 twin rooms which accommodate 2 to 4 each and 6 double rooms which accommodate 2 people each. The rooms are designed with natural canvas walls and offer breathtaking views of the savannah vegetation, landscape, wildlife and offer amenities like en-suite bathrooms with double sinks, shower with hot and cold water, and private verandahs on each room. In addition to this, each room features a sitting room area, big hand hewn bed with soft duvets, mosquito nets which are a must have if you are staying in Uganda or any other part of Africa, hand woven woolen carpets, a dressing gown and extra-large towels.

The lodge also features a swimming pool which has been curved out of huge rocks overlooking the vast savannah plains. It also has a restaurant which offers three course meals, well stocked bar, laundry services, a fireplace and spa.

Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Kidepo savannah lodge is a mid-range accommodation facility located in Kidepo valley national park. The lodge is strategically situated on the edge of the park on Kawalokol hill overlooking Narus valley 500 meters away from Kalokudo gate. The name Kawalokol is in Karamojong language meaning cave hill. Due to its location visitors staying at the lodge will have breathtaking views of the vegetation, mount Morungole, Narus valley, animal species like elephants, Oribis, waterbucks, buffaloes, side striped jackal, spotted hyenas, lions, leopards at night, listen to sweat sounds of bird species like African dwarf eagle, fox tail among others.

Kidepo savannah lodge in Kidepo valley national park features 12 safari tents which have been erected on raised decks. The tents are equipped with private verandahs, 1 double room with 2 single comfortable beds each bed having a mosquito net, flashing toilets, en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold water.

There are nine non-self-contained tents for the budget travellers which are comprised of 2 single beds or 1 double bed with mosquito nets, a bedside table, power outlet for charging electrical equipment’s like phones, cameras and shared bathrooms with flushing toilets.

Other facilities at the lodge include a restaurant which serves two course meals during lunch time and four course meals during dinner, a well-stocked bar, and a spacious lounge area where you can relax as you soak in the beautiful views of the park, mount Morungole, Narus valley, animals among others.

Adere Safari Lodge

Adere safari lodge is a newly constructed luxury lodge located at the edge of the national park, just a few meters away from the main gate. The lodge has 17 cottages with single and double rooms which are designed with natural pristine wood furniture and they contain amenities like en-suite bathroom with big size bath tab, hot and cold running water, flash toilets, restaurant which serves three course meal, a swimming pool, football pitch, well stocked bar, and laundry services.

Apoka Rest Camp

Apoka Rest Camp in Kidepo valley national park is a budget lodge is run and managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority offering 16 self-contained cabins and a hostel offering 14 basic Bandas each comprised of 2 beds, the lodge also offers camping ground where visitors who want to camp can carry their own camping equipment’s, food and drinks.

Nga ‘Moru Wilderness Camp

Nga ‘Moru wilderness camp is a midrange lodge located on the border of the national park about 4km from Katarum gate overlooking Narus valley. The lodge offers spectacular views of wildlife, savannah plains, mount Morungole and ideal environment for relaxation.

The camp features three cabana rooms which accommodate one to four single beds with facilities like en-suite bathrooms which offer hot and cold running water, balcony, and spectacular views of the park.

This midrange wilderness camp also features three safari tents which accommodate one or two single beds with facilities like en-suite bathrooms, single beds, outdoor shower, and balcony which offer spectacular views of Morungole Mountain, wildlife, Narus valley among others.

Other amenities in the wilderness camp include; well stocked bar, laundry services, restaurant where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

How to get to Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park can be accessed by either road or air transport means.

Road transport, there are several routes to use when using road transport means to the part such as driving from Kampala via Karuma, Lira Kotido, Kaabong and then to the park which takes about 12 hours’ drive

Driving from Kampala via Karuma, Gulu, Kitgum, Kaabong and then to the park which takes about 10 hours’ drive.

Driving from Kampala via Mbale, Sironko, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then to the park which takes about 12 hours’ drive.

Driving from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and then Kidepo valley national park which takes about 13 hours’ drive. Therefore each route used has a lot to offer such as beautiful scenery, landscape, Rhino tracking when you use the western route via Karuma among others.

Air transport, The national park can be accessed by use of air transport whereby there are domestic airlines like Aerolink Uganda limited which operate scheduled and chartered flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Apoka airstrip or Kidepo airport and the flight takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.