Kidepo Savannah Lodge is one of the topmost facilities you can choose to stay in while you’re on your safari to Kidepo. On the edge of one of the most beautiful National Parks in Uganda.
As the latest and most remote property of nature lodges, Kidepo Savannah Lodge does justice to this wildlife gem which has received several international awards as one of the greatest national parks in Africa.
Being just 500 meters away from Kalokudo gate, the lodge is literally on a stone’s throw from the Park. It offers unparalled visitors 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 Karamojong culture, the tribe with their typical manyattas style of building and colorful blankets. The lodge had to blend in rater than stick out, so they opted for a choice between the more luxurious self contained safari tents and comfortable lazy camping tents. Whichever you would choose for, they strive to offer you a great value for money
ROOMS IN KIDEPO SAVANNAH LODGE
In a truly amazing surrounding, they offer the choice of following comfortable and relaxing accommodation options to suit your budget.
Tent
As budget option, Kidepo Savannah Lodge 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
Safari tent
Kidepo Savannah Lodge boasts eight beautifully appointed safari tents on raised decks. Each of the spacious tents have a private verandah overlooking the mighty savannah. Comfortably furnished with 1 double or 2 single beds, all safari tents are ensuite with hot ‘bush’ showers, running water for hand-basins and a flushing toilet.
RESTAURANT AND BAR
The thatched dining and bar area offer one of the finest views over the Park. The vistas stretching up to southern Soudan 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 them. From the wooden deck in front of our restaurant one can often witness the Milky Way like only National Geographics 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, they work with a fixed menu but if you have any dietary requirement they will be happy to cater for your request. Kindly let them 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.
WHAT TO DO AROUND KIDEPO SAVANNAH LODGE
Game Drives:
The Wild of Africa without the crowds. Kidepo Valley National Park has a great diversity of animal species of which 28 are not known to occur in any other Ugandan park.
Most of the drives can be done along Narus valley as the park’s wildlife congregates here much of the year. This area has adequate track circuits enabling visitors view the animals at a close range
Nature – Bush Walks:
There is nothing like taking a walk in the wild side. Eplore 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. This area is in the Narus Valley, a prime game viewing area
Kidepo River Valley:
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 Village Visit:
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.
A cultural visit to their manyatta, will give you an insight into this fascinating community, its culture and traditions
A Cultural Experience with the Ik Tribe:
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 neighbors. 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
Today, visitors are availed with an opportunity to visit Ik. This all day venture up and down steep mountains in some of the most stunning scenery, will give you a rare insight in the tribe, adds a bit of income to Ik’s community and helps to create some awareness BOOK NOW
LODGE LOCATION
Being just 500 mi away from Kalokudo gate, the lodge is literally on a stone’s throw from the Park and can be reached without paying park fees. Latitude: 3.713723° Longitude: 33.669861°
BY ROAD
The road network in Northern Uganda drastically improved since few years.
The best and most direct route from Kampala passes through Gulu and Kitgum to Lokumoit Gate. Set of early to avoid the Kampala traffic jam and take a packed lunch for this 520 km or 10 hours long journey.
Longer but very rewarding alternative roads pass through Karamoja subregion.
The Lodge is well indicated from Katurum gate (lokumoit gate) onwards
BY AIR
The easier but more costly option is to fly in by a scheduled or chartered flight. Our open roofed land cruiser can pick you up from Kidepo airport and be used for game drives during your visit