When most people think of Uganda they think of gorillas, chimps and tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls. Kidepo Valley is a little-known National Park on the border of South Sudan and what a hidden gem it is. It is Uganda’s most remote park, far away from city life, and is constantly named as one of the most beautiful parks in Africa. As we flew through the mountains into the valley, I wasn’t prepared for the beauty of this area.
Access to the park is pretty restricted with only 2 scheduled flights a week otherwise, it is a private charter. There are 2 camps in the park, Apoka Safari Lodge and another campsite run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority so you have all 1,500 square kilometres of untouched wilderness completely to yourself.
I was staying at Apoka Safari Lodge which I instantly fell in love with. As we drove into the lodge we were met by our welcoming party, 4 side striped jackals and lots of bushbuck who didn’t even notice that we had arrived. From my suite’s private terrace, it was the same story, buffalo, zebras, warthogs and even more jackals.