Discover an exotic landUganda


Uganda Safaris and Tours: Good Hotels and Lodges

The lodge has eight double rooms thatof landscaped gardens on the shores of
allow for total comfort. Guests are alsoLake Victoria. It is only a seven-minute
accommodated in large canvas tents withdrive from Entebbe International
permanent thatched roofs. The tents haveAirport, and a 30 minute drive to
en-suite bathrooms with running waterKampala. The hotel is the finest
and private verandas with a breathtakingconvention centre in Uganda and a global
view. Sofas are piled with cushions,landmark, offering technologically
with ample lounging spaces. The lodge'sadvanced conference facilities
resident chef offers a creative mixoverlooking the lake.
referred to as the 'Best food inWith 191 rooms on six floors, extensive
Uganda'. Everything is homemade, fromconference and banquet facilities and
the fresh bread to the soups. The lodgerestaurants and bars, it is an ideal
employees are from the surroundingvenue for meetings. A modern
communities.amphitheatre, 1 km private beach stretch
Semilik Safari Lodge offers guestsalong Lake Victoria, swimming pool and
interesting activities like chimpanzeehealth club are just some of the
trekking, guided walks and hiking,delights.
jungle walks fishing, bird-watching,Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel
spot lit night drives, game drives andThe Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel has
visits to local communities. The lodgehosted a number of key conferences,
is working closely with the Indianaincluding a summit of African leaders
State University of the US in primateand former American President, Bill
research projects. The cost for doubleClinton. It has modern well-equipped
rooms for foreign non-residents is USconference facilities, high-speed
$296 and for East African Nationals USinternet connection in all rooms,
$218.electronic safes and mini-bars, direct
The mystery of Kabaledialing telephone service, swimming
Bunyonyi Safari Resort (BSR), locatedpool, saunas and Jacuzzi, large secure
deep in the highlands of Kabalecar parking, free personalized airport
District, southwestern Uganda, is aservice and a doctor on a 24-hour call.
secret yet to be discovered. Located onSpeke Resort & Country Lodge
the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, this uniqueSpeke Resort and Country Lodge is a
tranquil place has spacious,luxurious resort on the shores of Lake
self-contained and spacious cottagesVictoria in Munyonyo, 12km from Kampala.
right at the waterfront. Guests can tourThis resort is spread over 50 acres of
the numerous islands on the lake bypristine land. It hosts leisure
motorboat. 'Bunyonyi' means 'littletravelers, business and executive
birds' and, indeed, at BSR guests aregroups, weddings and other special
woken up every morning by the chirpingtravellers, business and executive
of numerous birds. Some of the areasgroups, weddings and other special
across the lake are famous rare birdevents. It is the epitome of an ultimate
species. Lake Bunyonyi is about 900mresort in the Great Lakes region. The
deep and it winds around numerous hills,emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort,
creating islands. It has signs ofwith the décor incorporating ethnic
volcanicity and mystery still surroundsdesign elements from various African
its formation. It is a bilharzias-freecommunities.
lake and therefore safe for swimming.The resort extends for over 400 metres
The area is also mosquito-free.along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BSR have a pad out in the water forLandscaped gardens with indigenous
guests to sunbathe ands swim in private.plants and trees attract colourful birds
Form there or the balcony, one canand butterflies. Wide and well-lit
occasionally view the elusive waterpathways link the cottages, apartments
birds, the otters, as well as theand public areas. It includes 10
surrounding hills. Guides will takeself-contained cottages, 20 serviced
guests round and give them thestudio rooms, 11 one-bedroom apartments
historical and cultural backgrounds ofand 24 two-bedroom apartments with the
some of the islands. Visitors can alsolatest amenities such as telephones,
meet the pygmy tribes. In the evenings,internet access and satellite TV. It has
one can enjoy a barbeque dinner with aa large swimming pool, a restaurant,
campfire by the lakeside.grocery, bar and an equestrian centre
Lake Bunyonyi is one of the places inwith 29 thoroughbred horses. There is a
Uganda where guests can get clayfish,jetty where guests can hire speedboats
BSR's specialty. The cuisine is mostlyMweya Safari Lodge
African but the chef is well versed inMweya safari lodge is located on a
all continental dishes. Self-catering ispeninsula in the heart of the Queen
also allowed at a minimal cost for smallElizabeth National Park. It offers
groups. Bunyonyi Safari Resort extendssumptuous meals and luxurious
from the cottages to a small hilltopaccommodation and there are amazing
overlooking the lake. From this vantageviews from every room, an abundance of
point, the view of the Lake Bunyonyi,game and birds. Easily accessible by air
its surrounding islands against aand road, Mweya Safari Lodge is the
backdrop of the volcanoes of Muhavura isperfect place to start a refreshing
splendid. The hall on this hilltop isexperienced of Uganda.
furnished with a bar, a pool table,Paraa Safari Lodge
darts and other games. It is ideal forBuilt in the early 1950s, Paraa offers
conferences and parties. The surroundingvisitors the dramatic Murchison Falls
gardens are well manicured andand a large variety of bird and animal
beautiful.species. Winston Churchill walked the 85
BSR is offering special full board rateskilometres from Masindi to view the
this season of US $40 per person perfalls. Paraa is sandwiched by Lake Kyoga
day. Visitors should look out for BSR'sand Lake Albert in north-western Uganda
new introductory package of US $110 perand Murchison National Park. During
person for a two-night weekend thatUganda's political turmoil, the lodge
includes accommodation, meals andcollapsed but today the story is
transport to and from Kampala, and lakedifferent. Guests can access it from
tours. The minimum number of this tourKampala by road or air
is 12 people sharing in doubles. This24 hours in Kampala
tour can be combined with gorillaI had decided to venture into the
trekking in Bwindi or a visit to Lakeunknown - Uganda. With only a sketchy
Mburo National Park or Queen Elizabethknowledge of the history of the country,
National Park at an added cost.I had covered most of Kenya and my
Hotel industry comes of agevisits to Tanzania were becoming
The Uganda hospitality industry hasmonotonous. Coming all the way from
evolved rapidly into a dynamicMombasa, the thought of flying to
institution that places the interest ofNairobi then to Entebbe offered a mixed
the client above all else. A visit topackage. On the one hand, I would arrive
Uganda may be marked by stops in thefast and embark on my working holiday,
following regions represented by abut on the other, I would miss
number of towns: Jinja, Mukono, Kampala,invaluable experiences that my
Entebbe, and towns within the refreshinggrandchildren would love to hear.
tour circuit of western, north-westernI settled for the long journey by road
and north-eastern Uganda. In all thesefrom Mombasa. The Mombasa to Nairobi
regions and towns, the hotels meettrip was uneventful and by morning, I
international standards and offer valuewas on my way to the Malaba border.
for money.Through the Kenyan towns of Nakuru,
Kampala, Entebbe and MukonoEldoret and others, which I knew like
Central Uganda boasts the country's topthe palm of my hand, we reached the
hotels, with Kampala having hosted majorborder and disembarked, passport in
international and regional conferences.hand. I eyed the surroundings curiously.
Kampala has a variety of hotels thatWe completed immigration formalities and
cater for different categories ofset off from Malaba through Tororo to
tourists.Kampala. The Owen Falls Dam provided a
Colline Hotelspectacular view of the source of the
Colline Hotel is an old establishment inNile. And Kampala beckoned.
Mukono about 15 kilometres east ofBy 6:30pm, the bus arrived in Kampala.
Kampala. The three-star hotel boasts aDusk was swiftly giving way to night and
town-countryside tropical setting. It isI had not made any accommodation
an hour's drive from Entebbearrangements. I tried to recollect the
International Airport through Kampalanames of some of the hotels and
along Jinja road. The hotel has moreapproached an all too willing taxi
than 100 self-contained rooms, withdriver (here they are called 'special
24-hour room service, DStv and directhires'). I addressed him in English and
telephone communication. It caters formentioned the names of the various
transit tourists heading to and fromhotels that came to mind, three to be
Kampala.precise, but he immediately ruled out
Mukono's unique setting in an area withtwo as being upcountry! So, he took me
bird life is reinforced by its highto the one in town. It was a three-star
service standards. Colline offers guestshotel. I was caught in the horns of a
unhindered access to all facilities suchdilemma. I didn't wish to appear as
as the steam bath and health club. Withsomeone with no clue of what I wanted,
a large garden, swimming pool andyet I had this ominous feeling that
well-equipped health centre, Collinethe cost would subject my pockets to
Hotel is another home away from home.unwarranted, self-inflicted shock
The hotel has two restaurants, Maximstherapy. I decided to bite the bullet
and Kob, serving continental,and approach the receptionist, who
international, oriental and localappeared rather busy with some clients.
cuisine. It has three bars fully stockedI waited. The wait seemed rather long; I
with alcoholic and non-alcoholicknow places in my home city (Mombasa)
beverages. The hotel has a launderswhere the moment you step in you are
residents' linen. Cultural troupesliterally lavished with service.
perform there regularly, keeping theI boldly confronted the receptionist and
guests fully entertained.politely asked her to attend to me.
Hotel AfricanaTurning the look of being offended by my
Hotel Africana overlooks the beautifulperceived interruption, she promptly
Uganda Golf Club's par 72 Kitanteread out the room rates. The figures
course. The hotel is 40 minute drivesounded rather odd; USh 100,000 etc. I
from Entebbe and a mere three-minutesettled for the cheapest, which was USh
drive to the city centre. It has 115100,000. Someone told me the Kenyan
rooms compromising five suites, 23Shilling was quite strong regionally so
deluxe rooms and 87 twin-bedrooms. TheI need not worry, just spend and be
rooms are elaborately furnished to meethappy. I fished out a wad of notes and
client needs. They are individuallycounted USh 100,000 for that night. I
air-conditioned, have private baths andwas shown the self-contained room with a
showers, telephones, multi-channel TV,sitting area, a TV with numerous
radio and fridges. For children underchannels, among a host of other things.
three years, accommodation is free ofI settled in the room, took a shower,
charge while those between three and 12started counting the money while
pay half the rate of a single room.reconverting the currency mentally to
There are also rooms with connectingKenya Shillings, and realized that i had
doors for families, and there is a largespent a whopping KSh 8,000 even before
swimming pool.dinner!
Hotel Africana has a well-designedI was however determined that the little
purpose-built, air-conditionedshock therapy would not ruin my first
conference and banquet rooms, completeevening in Kampala. Furthermore, there
with modern audio-visual facilities, towas no way I could dine at the same
cater for any function. Due to itshotel as that would choke any attempts
location, the hotel offers a suitableat sampling Uganda's growing economy. I
venue for workshops of 10 to 250 peoplemoved to Steers on Kampala Road around
and outdoor functions of up to 1,000the CBD. There was little difficulty in
people. The conference rooms arefollowing the directions to the fast
equipped with a high-speed wirelessfood joint. They seemed more efficient
Internet connection.than the three-star hotel.
Holiday Express HotelIt was Friday and I began my nocturnal
Located in the heart of Kampala at thetour at about 8:45pm. The city was
junction of Luwum and Dastur Streets,teeming with not just vehicles, but
Holiday Express Hotel allows businesshuman traffic too. I got a 'special
tourists to access vital services suchhire' to the 'happening places' as the
as foreign exchange, downtown shoppingseemingly enlightened driver called
and transport in and out of Kampala. Thethem. He quickly noticed two things:
facilities are designed to meet regionalthat I was new in Uganda and that I was
and international standards. All the 42from Kenya!
rooms are soundproofed to allow maximumThe driver through the city took me to
comfort. This eliminates the CBD-relatedwhat he rated as a client-friendly pub
cacophony. The hotel has a special ratein the heart of the city and a couple of
for East African nationals. All theother places after which I thought:
rooms are fitted with TV with more than"well, i now know Kampala!" I decided to
10 channels and a spacious study area.go it alone and the next 24 hours were a
Holiday Express has hosted businessreal rollercoaster ride. I entered what
tourists from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania,I later was told was a sleazy joint (not
Burundi and Congo.my type) and moved on to what surprised
Hotel Equatoriame most - a Kenyan nyama choma joint.
Hotel Equatoria is part of the ImperialThere was a good number of Kenyans and
Group of Hotels chain - Grand Imperial,Tusker flowed like water. It felt good
Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Imperialto be 'home' again. The joint-hoping
Resort Beach and Hotel Equatorial. It iscraze went on, this time with a group of
located in Kampala's central businesshomeboys who seemed to disappear in what
district, about 40 kilometres fromI considered dark alleys, only to
Entebbe International Airport. Itsre-emerge stone drunk! I was told that
strategic location provides an idealthey had gone to 're-charge the Tusker'
environment for conferences, meetings,with some potent traditional gin by the
workshops, parties, recreation and rest.name Kasese Kasese.
Hotel Equatoria has features thatIt was well past midnight. Back home, I
supplement its quality of service.would be worried about the police and
Recently the hotel added 30 more shopsrobbers but here that did not bother the
to meet the shopping needs of theFriday night crowd. I met a young woman
guests. Hotel Equatoria has one of thewho said she was a Ugandan university
biggest shopping malls in the countrystudent and we went to a disco. I do not
and 89 air-conditioned rooms, 24 ofremember the names of the clubs because
which are executive class, withwe entered no less than three that
satellite television and in-housenight. The mood was real carnival with
movies. Security is guaranteed as anfolks partying hard. I learnt a lot from
electronic key card system is used. Thethe student on why people seemed so
executive rooms have a sitting arearelaxed and at ease with foreigners.
complete with speed special satelliteThe last disco we entered was playing a
Internet connections, mini-bars andfloor-closing number. It was 5:30 in
direct dialing telephone services.morning. I escorted my guide to a
Grand Imperial Hotelspecial hire, paid for her trip back to
The Grand Imperial Hotel is one of thecampus wherever it was, and I took mine
first hotels in Uganda built in theto my USh 100,000 hotel room. Later,
colonial era. It is the only hotel thatsome homeboys who promised to show me a
has been used by every governor of the'more affordable' place lived up to
colonial era. The 103 rooms, includingtheir promise. I moved to an equally
suites, reflect the urban elegance anddecent hotel within the CBD for less
easy southern charm of the city. Thethan half the previous cost!
hotel, part of the Imperial Group ofI spent the afternoon visiting the
Hotels, is centrally located in Kampala,famous Makerere University, Entebbe
and is just a 30 minute drive fromInternational Airport and its environs,
Entebbe International Airport. All thethe National Museum, Ndere Cultural
rooms have high-speed InternetCentre, the palace of the Kabaka of
connection, electronic safes andBuganda and the National Parliament. I
mini-bars and direct dialing telephonewent to bed early that Saturday evening
services. The hotel has a swimming pool,because of the long journey ahead. In
saunas and Jacuzzi, massage rooms, steamany case, the bus was set to leave at
and spa baths, a shopping mall and a7:00am on Sunday. I arrived back from
large secure car park. It also offersKampala with fond memories, having spent
free personalized airport service, forex24 great hours in Kampala. I most likely
bureau and doctors on call 24 hours.will go back, particularly to visit my
Imperial Resort Beach Hoteluniversity friend whom I guess must be
The five-star Imperial Resort Beachabout to graduate.
Hotel is situated in Entebbe on 27 acres



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