How do you get to Kidepo Valley National Park?

The most practical route is a charter flight to the airstrip near the park, which takes about 1.5-2 hours from Entebbe. The road journey from Kampala takes 10-12 hours and is rough in parts.

What does the all-inclusive rate cover?

The rate includes accommodation, all meals, teas and coffees, house beverages, game drives and guided activities, and laundry service.

Is there really an outdoor bathtub on the terrace?

Yes, every room has a private stone bathtub on its sheltered terrace, overlooking the Narus Valley. It is one of the lodge's signature features.

Apoka Safari Lodge

The only luxury lodge inside Kidepo Valley National Park, set against a rocky kopje in the Narus Valley with panoramic views of the vast savanna.

Luxury$$$$(Luxury)Information verified online

Summary

What it is: Luxury in Narus Valley
Where it is: Narus Valley, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park
Best for: Safari purists, Photographers, Luxury travelers, Adventure seekers, Travelers seeking remote, uncrowded wilderness
Main activities: Game drives in Narus Valley, Guided bush walks, Bird watching, Karamojong community visits
Price level: $$$$(Luxury)

Quick Facts

Region: Kidepo Valley National Park
National Park: Kidepo Valley National Park
Subregion / Sector: Narus Valley
Category: Luxury
Price Level: $$$$(Luxury)
Best for: Safari purists, Photographers, Luxury travelers, Adventure seekers, Travelers seeking remote, uncrowded wilderness
Verified Visit: Information verified online

Activities

Game drives in Narus ValleyGuided bush walksBird watchingKaramojong community visitsNight drivesRock pool swimming

About Apoka Safari Lodge

Apoka Safari Lodge is the only luxury accommodation inside Kidepo Valley National Park, set on a granite kopje overlooking the Narus Valley in Uganda's far northeast. The lodge has 10 tented rooms — 6 doubles and 4 twins — each with hardwood floors, woollen carpet, hand-hewn wooden beds, en suite bathrooms with double sinks, and large tropical showers. Every room has a sheltered terrace with its own stone bathtub outside, where guests can soak while looking out over the valley.

The lodge operates on an all-inclusive basis: meals, teas, coffees, house beverages, game activities, and laundry are all covered in the rate. A swimming pool carved into the natural rock adds to the kopje setting. The remote location — Kidepo is roughly 10-12 hours from Kampala by road, or reachable by charter flight — means the park sees far fewer visitors than southern Uganda's parks, giving Apoka an atmosphere of genuine wilderness isolation.

Game drives in the Narus Valley are the primary activity, with lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, cheetahs, and large herds of various antelope species. Guided walks, night drives, bird watching, and visits to Karamojong communities round out the activity list. Kidepo is often cited as Uganda's most scenic park, and Apoka is well suited for travelers willing to make the journey to experience a park that still feels truly remote.

Location & Region

Apoka Safari Lodge is located in Narus Valley, part of the Kidepo Valley National Park region in Uganda. It is situated within or near Kidepo Valley National Park.

General area: Narus Valley

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Drive Times

From Kampala10-12 hours
From Entebbe Airport10-12 hours (or 1.5-2 hours by charter flight)
From Gulu5-6 hours
From Kidepo Airstrip15-30 minutes

Accommodation & Rooms

Double Tented Room

One of 6 double rooms with hardwood floors, hand-hewn wooden bed, en suite with double sinks and tropical shower, and a sheltered terrace with private stone bathtub overlooking the Narus Valley.

Max guests: 2

Twin Tented Room

One of 4 twin rooms with the same finish as the doubles — hardwood floors, hand-hewn beds, en suite with double sinks, and a private stone bathtub on the terrace.

Max guests: 2

Amenities

All-inclusive meals, drinks, and activitiesSwimming pool carved into rockStone bathtubs on private terracesEn suite bathroomsDouble sinksTropical showersWi-FiLaundry includedAirport shuttleHardwood floors and woollen carpets

Highlights

10 tented rooms with hardwood floors and hand-hewn beds
Private stone bathtub on each room's terrace
Swimming pool carved into natural rock
All-inclusive: meals, drinks, activities, laundry
Only luxury lodge inside Kidepo Valley NP
Kopje overlooking the Narus Valley
One of Uganda's most remote and least-visited parks
Lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes in the valley

Who Is This Lodge For?

Safari puristsPhotographersLuxury travelersAdventure seekersTravelers seeking remote, uncrowded wilderness

Advantages

All-inclusive rate covers everything — meals, drinks, activities, laundry
Private outdoor stone bathtub on every room's terrace
Swimming pool carved into the natural rock of the kopje
Remote location means very few other visitors in the park
Wide range of wildlife including species not easily seen elsewhere in Uganda
Karamojong cultural visits add a human dimension to the safari

Things to Know

Kidepo is remote — roughly 10-12 hours from Kampala by road, or reachable by charter flight to the local airstrip
The all-inclusive rate is higher than many Uganda lodges but covers all activities and consumables
Kidepo's wildlife includes cheetahs, ostriches, and bat-eared foxes — species rarely seen in other Ugandan parks
The Karamojong are semi-nomadic pastoralists with a distinctive culture — visits are arranged respectfully
The dry season (December-March, June-September) concentrates wildlife around water sources in the Narus Valley

Frequently Asked Questions

Dining

All meals, teas, coffees, and house beverages are included in the rate. The kitchen serves fresh meals in the main dining area with views over the Narus Valley. Bush dinners and special dining arrangements can be made.

Prices can change depending on season, availability and booking conditions. Please contact the lodge or a trusted tour operator for current rates.

Lodges of Uganda is an independent lodge information platform. We are not the official website of the listed lodges unless clearly stated. Information may change and should be confirmed directly with the lodge or travel provider before booking.