Apoka Rest Camp; Kidepo valley national park runs Apoka Rest Camp as a budget facility for travelers on tour of the park. Apoka Rest Camp has average 15 bandas/ chalets, some en-suite with showers and double beds. At best, the rest camp runs on model of hostel hosting large groups of visitors and offering basic services at affordable rates. Some bandas with shared bed and common washrooms charge a basic pay to entice everyone into travel. Apoka rest camp is set on the hill adjacent to the Narus valley and overlooking the watering hole. Visitors in the rest camp have maximum angles of monitoring wildlife events in the valley. There is a self-catering campsite on the edges of Apoka Rest camp for travelers seeking camping experiences in the wilderness. The rest camp has a limited number of tents without beddings for hire. Camping visitors need to pack enough food supplies as the next market is a distance away, can hire a chef to make their meals or dine out at the canteen. The visitors with an extra adventure adrenalin and strong love for nature and wilderness can opt for exclusive wilderness camping and choose a place to pitch tent. This is a special arrangement that must a ranger escort must be in company.
The canteen in the premises prepares decent African meals, corn bread, millet bread, rice, chapati, served with beef either fresh or smoked, chicken, pea-nut, beans. Visitors make special orders for meals of their preference. The canteen runs all through the day and has stock of beers, soft drinks, snacks, biscuits and packed foods and most basic items. Note; large groups have to book for meals in advance to make special supply. Apoka does not have electricity and the canteen may serve warm drinks. There are no power sockets in the bandas and electronic gadgets charge at the canteen.
Apoka Rest Camp is close to Kidepo valley national park booking office and an ideal place to book a ranger before starting on the expeditions into the wilderness. Zebras, warthogs, waterbucks, antelopes and many wildlife species are regular visitors into the compound giving visitors rare opportunities to get a closer look at wildlife and get unique feelings of the traditional African lifestyle. Visitors must keep movement out of their room at minimum levels and if they must move out need to have a very bright light. It a common to spot footmarks of lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and other wildlife species on door steps to the bandas. The services at Apoka Rest Camp are affordable by many people and the visitors have opportunities of interacting with the indigenous communities and get the authentic life experiences.
To the traveler still away in the comfort of home in town, Apoka Rest Camp may seem very basic offering poor quality service. When that very traveler is stuck in Kidepo valley national park with unconfirmed hotel booking and the next option of accommodation is 120 km away on dirt road, checking in at Apoka Rest Camp passes around as a luxury and Godsend blessing.
