Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Kidepo Savannah Lodge offers an unforgettable retreat in the heart of Kidepo Valley National Park. Inviting guests to embark on a journey of discovery amidst Africa’s untamed wilderness. From thrilling wildlife encounters to immersive cultural experiences, every moment spent here is an opportunity. To forge a deeper connection with nature and create lasting memories. That will stay with you long after you’ve returned home. This lodge offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the sights and sounds of the savannah. While experiencing the warmth of Ugandan hospitality.
Being just 500 meters away from Kalokudo gate, the lodge is literally on a stone’s throw from the park. It offers unparalled vistas of the expansive Narus Valley, Mount Morungole and the distant mountain ranges which form the border with Southern Sudan.
The lodge is inspired by the savannah surroundings, the grasslands, rocky outcrops. And … by the Karamajong, the tribe with their typical manyattas and colorful blankets. The lodge had to blend in rather than stick out. So we opted for a choice between the more luxurious self-contained safari tents and comfortable lazy camping tents.
Upon arrival at Kidepo Savannah Lodge, you’re greeted by the sight of traditional thatched-roof cottages nestled amidst the acacia trees. Each cottage offers a comfortable retreat, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings while providing modern amenities for a truly memorable stay. Whether you’re lounging on your private veranda or relaxing by the fireplace, every moment spent here is an opportunity to connect with the wilderness.
Accommodation
Kidepo Savannah Lodge boasts 12 beautifully appointed safari tents on raised decks. Each of the spacious tents have a private verandah offering splendid views of the mighty savannah. Comfortably furnished with 1 double or 2 single beds, all safari tents have an ensuite bathroom with 24 hours hot showers, running water for hand-basins and a flushing toilet.
Kidepo Savannah Lodge also offers 9 non-self-contained tents. These are comfortably furnished with 2 single or 1 double bed, a bedside table and a power outlet for charging your electrical equipment. The views into the park are vast and magnificent with an occasional herd of elephants or buffaloes passing by. The tents share a communal ablution block with hot showers and flushing toilets. No need to worry about linen as all bedding and towels are provided.
Dinning
The thatched dining and bar area offer one of the finest views over the Park. The vistors stretching up to southern Sudan are just breathtaking but so are the starry skies. Away from the light pollution that comes with civilization, you will be amazed of what is above us. From the wooden deck in front of our restaurant one can often witness the Milky Way like only National Geographic’s is able to catch?
Dinners are 4 course meals while during lunch 2 courses are served. Because everything on site runs off solar, including the fridges and freezers, we work with a fixed menu but if you have any dietary requirement we will be happy to cater for your request. Kindly let us know in time.
You are on your holiday so… breakfast, lunch and dinner have flexible times. We will adapt us to your time schedule, nothing too early; nothing too late.
Activities
Game Drives
Kidepo Savannah Lodge organizes morning and afternoon game drives of 2 to 3 hours in an open roofed extended land cruiser. A classic African safari experience along Narus valley tracking down a pride of lions, or… maybe even the odd leopard. Click here for more information.
Fly in
The Lodge organizes a 3 day fly in safari to this remote and unspoiled National Park. The package consist of a fine combination of game drives, a cultural visit to Karamajong. And their unique manyatas and a nature walk where you will explore the savannah by foot. Click here for more information.
Nature Walks
There is nothing like taking a walk on the wild side. Explore the savannah by foot, accompanied by an armed guide you will venture along dry river beds, over rocky outcrops and through bush land to track the resident wildlife.
Lamoj Mountains: Most of the hiking is conducted on Lamoj Mountains only a couple of kilometers from the Headquarters of the Park. Visitors may as well go to see the marvelous Kidepo River Valley. The river is dried out through the biggest part of the year. A stroll on its wide bed of white sand or in the barassus palm forest which feels like an oasis in the Sahara, is a fascinating attraction.
Karamojong Visits
A unique insight into the warrior tribe’s way of life. The name Karamojong is derived from a phrase meaning ‘the old men can walk no further’. Originally from Ethiopia, this tribe settled in the North East of Uganda. Related to the Maasai, this is a warrior nomad tribe for who, for generations, pride and status were cattle and for who cattle raids were the rule of the day. Since the disarmament however, things have calmed down. Cattle is still king, but subsistence farming has become a lot more common.
Cultural Experience
The IK people are one of the original tribes and were here long before the Karamojong arrived. Initially they used to occupy areas of the current Kidepo Valley National Park but when their original home was declared a National Park they were forced to move northwards to Mount Morungole. This brought extreme famine and the IK people had to adapt new practices and skills to forge their way of survival. They used subsistence farming, hunting and fruit gathering to overcome famine but were continuously raided by neighbours. Today, they are one of the smallest and most marginalized tribe in the country with an estimated total of 10,000 people. There are fears that this tribe might be on the verge to extinction but mere resistance has led to their continuous survival.