The new Namoni Lodge has opened on the edge of Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park as part of a broader conservation and community tourism initiative in the Karamoja region.
Located metres from the park boundary within a community conservancy, the lodge features 10 mid-luxury cabins overlooking the surrounding landscape as well as a restaurant and bar.
The development aims to support community-led conservation. In addition to an annual fixed concession payment, guests pay a 10% community levy directly supporting local services.
The opening comes as Karamoja attracts increasing interest from travellers seeking off-the-beaten-track experiences. The region combines wildlife, mountain scenery and cultural experiences and has traditionally catered largely to budget travellers. The developers say there is growing demand for mid-market accommodation to serve the area’s evolving tourism market.
Namoni Lodge is the first of five planned properties across the Karamoja region. According to the developers, each lodge will support local conservation initiatives while encouraging visitors to explore more of the region.
