Apoka Safari Lodge – Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Set deep within the rugged wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park, Apoka Safari Lodge is an intimate and luxurious retreat blending amongst the hills and rocky outcrops.  The lodge offers a rare sense of seclusion and with just ten spacious cottages, this is a place where you can immerse yourself in Africa’s remote beauty while enjoying comfort and style.

Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated National Park, located in the northern reaches of the country where the light is golden, the wildlife abundant and the skies are enormous. Elephants roam through the camp, lions perch on the nearby boulders and massive herds of buffalo are a part of the landscape.

Location

Apoka is located on a picturesque kopje overlooking the Narus river valley in the South-western sector of Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo is located in the far north-eastern section of Uganda, bordering Sudan to the North, the Napore Mountains to the West, and the Morungole Mountains to the South and the Kenyan border is just 5 kilometers from the park’s eastern boundary.  Access is best by air and light aircraft transfers take from 1.5 – 2 hours from Entebbe International Airport to the Kidepo Airstrip followed by a short transfer to the lodge.

Accommodation

The lodge comprises ten beautifully crafted stone cottages, each designed to blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. Interiors are spacious and airy, featuring large sitting rooms, soft hand-woven carpets and expansive canvas fronts that open onto private verandas with sweeping views of the savannah. A highlight of each cottage is the hand-hewn outdoor rock bathtub, perfect for a soak under the stars after a day’s exploration. With only twenty beds in total, the lodge maintains an atmosphere of exclusivity and privacy.

Activities and Wildlife 

Staying at Apoka Safari Lodge is all about connecting with the vast, unspoiled landscapes of Kidepo. Days are spent on exhilarating game drives across the Narus and Kidepo Valleys, where lion, elephant, cheetah and giraffe are frequently seen. Walking safaris reveal the smaller details of the bush, while cultural visits to nearby Karamojong communities provide meaningful insights into traditional ways of life. Back at the lodge, guests can relax in the rock-carved swimming pool or simply watch wildlife wander by from the comfort of the veranda.

Game Drives – two game drives a day are included in our daily rates and are usually done in the morning and in the late afternoon. We use open Landcruiser game-viewers. Our expert guides will discuss with guests what they hope to see and will tailor the outing based on these discussions. Snacks and drinks (included) are always brought on a drive and guests can stop and enjoy a drink and a nibble in the bush. Our guests are very likely to get up close and personal with Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Rothschild giraffe, Zebra, Buffalo, Waterbuck, roan antelope, Jackson’s hartebeest, warthog, among many other savannah species. The birdlife is also excellent and the park boasts over 400 species.

Bush Walks – guided walks out in the bush, learning about flora and fauna. Immerse yourself in the African Bush, follow the tracks, walk with zebra and giraffe, step in the footprints of elephant on a dry riverbed, examine plants and geological features. The excursions can be long or short (some can be full day excursions) and are tailored to the individual group with many routes available depending on the season.

Bush Breakfast – combine your morning game drive with a wild breakfast experience. Instead of returning to the lodge for your meal, set up under the shade of a giant kigelia tree and have breakfast in the bush surrounded by wildlife.

Cultural excursions – visit a local Karamajong village with an interpretative guide whose family still lives there. Learn the traditional ways of life, speak with the elders, participate in the storytelling and dancing and daily life. These visits are authentic immersive experiences, not put on for the tourist.

Sundowners – African Sunsets are world famous, and nowhere is more spectacular and memorable than Kidepo for watching the sun drop towards the horizon. From vantage points on top of one of the many rocky outcrops, or on the edge of an animal filled watering hole, sit back and watch the show, G+T in hand as the sky shifts, phasing going through almost every colour of the spectrum in the space of just a few minutes. Make your way back to camp in the gathering darkness, keeping an eye out for the unique and unusual creatures that come out after dark.

Conservation and Community

Apoka Safari Lodge is operated by Wildplaces Africa, a company committed to preserving Uganda’s wild spaces while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism. The lodge provides employment and training for people from the surrounding areas and supports initiatives that foster long-term conservation.

APOKA LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND WITH EXCELLENT WILDLIFE VIEWING IN EVERY SEASON

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME – THE LODGE IS UNFENCED AND WILD ANIMALS DO ROAM THROUGH THE LODGE GROUNDS