About Mara Safari Lodge Kidepo
Welcome to Mara Safari Lodge Kidepo, where luxury meets sustainability. Our name, Mara, is derived from the Ik dialect and means “how are you?” - a reflection of our commitment to the local community and culture.
Inspired by the endangered Ik tribe – one of Africa’s smallest ethnic groups with a surviving population of less than 10,000 that was displaced by the government in the 1960s to create space for the game park, our name Mara, despite having a universal connotation is short for Marang which in Ik dialect means “how are you?.” The Ik tribe – a hunter-gatherer community now lives in the Morungole mountains on the border with neighboring Kenya.
We are a social enterprise that provides unique, state-of-the-art hospitality and customized tour experiences for our clients. We are passionate about the conservation of mother nature and mindful of the community in which we operate.
Our materials are locally sourced, and we rely heavily on green energy such as solar for water heating, lighting, and running fridges. Our eco-friendly stoves use solar and volcanic rocks, making us one of the most sustainable lodges in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Our mission is to be the most customer-oriented, socially and environmentally responsible tourist lodge in Uganda. We believe that by providing exceptional service while being mindful of our impact on the environment and community, we can create a better world for everyone.
Our magnificent estate lies in close proximity to Sundowner Rock - a prime wildlife area that covers 24 acres of land. We are in close proximity with Namakwanyi Valley areas where there are several bird species from this magnificent valley. Apart from the bird sightings, tourists can have excellent views of Kidepo and many other wildlife. This Valley is located one kilometer away from our Lodge and one needs about 1.5 hours to complete the birding. We are also surrounded by sprawling savanna grasslands that offer picturesque views and unforgettable wildlife sightings.
Our lodgings are expansive and designed to give an aura of intimacy and a homely ambiance. We have a coffee lounge for networking, a main bar and restaurant with breathtaking views for our guests’ commune, and soon, a swimming pool with its own poolside bar, and conference centers to cater to all our clients’ needs.
Our team of highly trained staff boasts a wealth of experience and unmatched passion to support top-notch service delivery. We believe that our guests deserve nothing but the best, and we strive to exceed their expectations every time.
Thank you for choosing Mara Safari Lodge- It’s more than just a lodge…
How to Get There
By road, Mara Safari Lodge – Kidepo is only 421 kilometers from Uganda’s Capital, Kampala and only 456 kilometers from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). It is accessible through both Kaabong and Kitgum districts. But if the thrill of the road doesn’t excite you, we are also accessible by air using a chartered plane that lands at the Kidepo National Park airstrip, a short 10-minute drive from Mara Safari Lodge.