| The lodge has eight double rooms that | | | | of landscaped gardens on the shores of |
| allow for total comfort. Guests are also | | | | Lake Victoria. It is only a seven-minute |
| accommodated in large canvas tents with | | | | drive from Entebbe International |
| permanent thatched roofs. The tents have | | | | Airport, and a 30 minute drive to |
| en-suite bathrooms with running water | | | | Kampala. The hotel is the finest |
| and private verandas with a breathtaking | | | | convention centre in Uganda and a global |
| view. Sofas are piled with cushions, | | | | landmark, offering technologically |
| with ample lounging spaces. The lodge's | | | | advanced conference facilities |
| resident chef offers a creative mix | | | | overlooking the lake. |
| referred to as the 'Best food in | | | | With 191 rooms on six floors, extensive |
| Uganda'. Everything is homemade, from | | | | conference and banquet facilities and |
| the fresh bread to the soups. The lodge | | | | restaurants and bars, it is an ideal |
| employees are from the surrounding | | | | venue for meetings. A modern |
| communities. | | | | amphitheatre, 1 km private beach stretch |
| Semilik Safari Lodge offers guests | | | | along Lake Victoria, swimming pool and |
| interesting activities like chimpanzee | | | | health 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 and | | | | The Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel has |
| visits to local communities. The lodge | | | | hosted a number of key conferences, |
| is working closely with the Indiana | | | | including a summit of African leaders |
| State University of the US in primate | | | | and former American President, Bill |
| research projects. The cost for double | | | | Clinton. It has modern well-equipped |
| rooms for foreign non-residents is US | | | | conference facilities, high-speed |
| $296 and for East African Nationals US | | | | internet connection in all rooms, |
| $218. | | | | electronic safes and mini-bars, direct |
| The mystery of Kabale | | | | dialing telephone service, swimming |
| Bunyonyi Safari Resort (BSR), located | | | | pool, saunas and Jacuzzi, large secure |
| deep in the highlands of Kabale | | | | car parking, free personalized airport |
| District, southwestern Uganda, is a | | | | service and a doctor on a 24-hour call. |
| secret yet to be discovered. Located on | | | | Speke Resort & Country Lodge |
| the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, this unique | | | | Speke Resort and Country Lodge is a |
| tranquil place has spacious, | | | | luxurious resort on the shores of Lake |
| self-contained and spacious cottages | | | | Victoria in Munyonyo, 12km from Kampala. |
| right at the waterfront. Guests can tour | | | | This resort is spread over 50 acres of |
| the numerous islands on the lake by | | | | pristine land. It hosts leisure |
| motorboat. 'Bunyonyi' means 'little | | | | travelers, business and executive |
| birds' and, indeed, at BSR guests are | | | | groups, weddings and other special |
| woken up every morning by the chirping | | | | travellers, business and executive |
| of numerous birds. Some of the areas | | | | groups, weddings and other special |
| across the lake are famous rare bird | | | | events. It is the epitome of an ultimate |
| species. Lake Bunyonyi is about 900m | | | | resort in the Great Lakes region. The |
| deep and it winds around numerous hills, | | | | emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort, |
| creating islands. It has signs of | | | | with the décor incorporating ethnic |
| volcanicity and mystery still surrounds | | | | design elements from various African |
| its formation. It is a bilharzias-free | | | | communities. |
| 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 for | | | | Landscaped gardens with indigenous |
| guests to sunbathe ands swim in private. | | | | plants and trees attract colourful birds |
| Form there or the balcony, one can | | | | and butterflies. Wide and well-lit |
| occasionally view the elusive water | | | | pathways link the cottages, apartments |
| birds, the otters, as well as the | | | | and public areas. It includes 10 |
| surrounding hills. Guides will take | | | | self-contained cottages, 20 serviced |
| guests round and give them the | | | | studio rooms, 11 one-bedroom apartments |
| historical and cultural backgrounds of | | | | and 24 two-bedroom apartments with the |
| some of the islands. Visitors can also | | | | latest 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 a | | | | a large swimming pool, a restaurant, |
| campfire by the lakeside. | | | | grocery, bar and an equestrian centre |
| Lake Bunyonyi is one of the places in | | | | with 29 thoroughbred horses. There is a |
| Uganda where guests can get clayfish, | | | | jetty where guests can hire speedboats |
| BSR's specialty. The cuisine is mostly | | | | Mweya Safari Lodge |
| African but the chef is well versed in | | | | Mweya safari lodge is located on a |
| all continental dishes. Self-catering is | | | | peninsula in the heart of the Queen |
| also allowed at a minimal cost for small | | | | Elizabeth National Park. It offers |
| groups. Bunyonyi Safari Resort extends | | | | sumptuous meals and luxurious |
| from the cottages to a small hilltop | | | | accommodation and there are amazing |
| overlooking the lake. From this vantage | | | | views from every room, an abundance of |
| point, the view of the Lake Bunyonyi, | | | | game and birds. Easily accessible by air |
| its surrounding islands against a | | | | and road, Mweya Safari Lodge is the |
| backdrop of the volcanoes of Muhavura is | | | | perfect place to start a refreshing |
| splendid. The hall on this hilltop is | | | | experienced of Uganda. |
| furnished with a bar, a pool table, | | | | Paraa Safari Lodge |
| darts and other games. It is ideal for | | | | Built in the early 1950s, Paraa offers |
| conferences and parties. The surrounding | | | | visitors the dramatic Murchison Falls |
| gardens are well manicured and | | | | and a large variety of bird and animal |
| beautiful. | | | | species. Winston Churchill walked the 85 |
| BSR is offering special full board rates | | | | kilometres from Masindi to view the |
| this season of US $40 per person per | | | | falls. Paraa is sandwiched by Lake Kyoga |
| day. Visitors should look out for BSR's | | | | and Lake Albert in north-western Uganda |
| new introductory package of US $110 per | | | | and Murchison National Park. During |
| person for a two-night weekend that | | | | Uganda's political turmoil, the lodge |
| includes accommodation, meals and | | | | collapsed but today the story is |
| transport to and from Kampala, and lake | | | | different. Guests can access it from |
| tours. The minimum number of this tour | | | | Kampala by road or air |
| is 12 people sharing in doubles. This | | | | 24 hours in Kampala |
| tour can be combined with gorilla | | | | I had decided to venture into the |
| trekking in Bwindi or a visit to Lake | | | | unknown - Uganda. With only a sketchy |
| Mburo National Park or Queen Elizabeth | | | | knowledge of the history of the country, |
| National Park at an added cost. | | | | I had covered most of Kenya and my |
| Hotel industry comes of age | | | | visits to Tanzania were becoming |
| The Uganda hospitality industry has | | | | monotonous. Coming all the way from |
| evolved rapidly into a dynamic | | | | Mombasa, the thought of flying to |
| institution that places the interest of | | | | Nairobi then to Entebbe offered a mixed |
| the client above all else. A visit to | | | | package. On the one hand, I would arrive |
| Uganda may be marked by stops in the | | | | fast and embark on my working holiday, |
| following regions represented by a | | | | but on the other, I would miss |
| number of towns: Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, | | | | invaluable experiences that my |
| Entebbe, and towns within the refreshing | | | | grandchildren would love to hear. |
| tour circuit of western, north-western | | | | I settled for the long journey by road |
| and north-eastern Uganda. In all these | | | | from Mombasa. The Mombasa to Nairobi |
| regions and towns, the hotels meet | | | | trip was uneventful and by morning, I |
| international standards and offer value | | | | was on my way to the Malaba border. |
| for money. | | | | Through the Kenyan towns of Nakuru, |
| Kampala, Entebbe and Mukono | | | | Eldoret and others, which I knew like |
| Central Uganda boasts the country's top | | | | the palm of my hand, we reached the |
| hotels, with Kampala having hosted major | | | | border and disembarked, passport in |
| international and regional conferences. | | | | hand. I eyed the surroundings curiously. |
| Kampala has a variety of hotels that | | | | We completed immigration formalities and |
| cater for different categories of | | | | set off from Malaba through Tororo to |
| tourists. | | | | Kampala. The Owen Falls Dam provided a |
| Colline Hotel | | | | spectacular view of the source of the |
| Colline Hotel is an old establishment in | | | | Nile. And Kampala beckoned. |
| Mukono about 15 kilometres east of | | | | By 6:30pm, the bus arrived in Kampala. |
| Kampala. The three-star hotel boasts a | | | | Dusk was swiftly giving way to night and |
| town-countryside tropical setting. It is | | | | I had not made any accommodation |
| an hour's drive from Entebbe | | | | arrangements. I tried to recollect the |
| International Airport through Kampala | | | | names of some of the hotels and |
| along Jinja road. The hotel has more | | | | approached an all too willing taxi |
| than 100 self-contained rooms, with | | | | driver (here they are called 'special |
| 24-hour room service, DStv and direct | | | | hires'). I addressed him in English and |
| telephone communication. It caters for | | | | mentioned the names of the various |
| transit tourists heading to and from | | | | hotels that came to mind, three to be |
| Kampala. | | | | precise, but he immediately ruled out |
| Mukono's unique setting in an area with | | | | two as being upcountry! So, he took me |
| bird life is reinforced by its high | | | | to the one in town. It was a three-star |
| service standards. Colline offers guests | | | | hotel. I was caught in the horns of a |
| unhindered access to all facilities such | | | | dilemma. I didn't wish to appear as |
| as the steam bath and health club. With | | | | someone with no clue of what I wanted, |
| a large garden, swimming pool and | | | | yet I had this ominous feeling that |
| well-equipped health centre, Colline | | | | the cost would subject my pockets to |
| Hotel is another home away from home. | | | | unwarranted, self-inflicted shock |
| The hotel has two restaurants, Maxims | | | | therapy. I decided to bite the bullet |
| and Kob, serving continental, | | | | and approach the receptionist, who |
| international, oriental and local | | | | appeared rather busy with some clients. |
| cuisine. It has three bars fully stocked | | | | I waited. The wait seemed rather long; I |
| with alcoholic and non-alcoholic | | | | know places in my home city (Mombasa) |
| beverages. The hotel has a launders | | | | where the moment you step in you are |
| residents' linen. Cultural troupes | | | | literally lavished with service. |
| perform there regularly, keeping the | | | | I boldly confronted the receptionist and |
| guests fully entertained. | | | | politely asked her to attend to me. |
| Hotel Africana | | | | Turning the look of being offended by my |
| Hotel Africana overlooks the beautiful | | | | perceived interruption, she promptly |
| Uganda Golf Club's par 72 Kitante | | | | read out the room rates. The figures |
| course. The hotel is 40 minute drive | | | | sounded rather odd; USh 100,000 etc. I |
| from Entebbe and a mere three-minute | | | | settled for the cheapest, which was USh |
| drive to the city centre. It has 115 | | | | 100,000. Someone told me the Kenyan |
| rooms compromising five suites, 23 | | | | Shilling was quite strong regionally so |
| deluxe rooms and 87 twin-bedrooms. The | | | | I need not worry, just spend and be |
| rooms are elaborately furnished to meet | | | | happy. I fished out a wad of notes and |
| client needs. They are individually | | | | counted USh 100,000 for that night. I |
| air-conditioned, have private baths and | | | | was shown the self-contained room with a |
| showers, telephones, multi-channel TV, | | | | sitting area, a TV with numerous |
| radio and fridges. For children under | | | | channels, among a host of other things. |
| three years, accommodation is free of | | | | I settled in the room, took a shower, |
| charge while those between three and 12 | | | | started counting the money while |
| pay half the rate of a single room. | | | | reconverting the currency mentally to |
| There are also rooms with connecting | | | | Kenya Shillings, and realized that i had |
| doors for families, and there is a large | | | | spent a whopping KSh 8,000 even before |
| swimming pool. | | | | dinner! |
| Hotel Africana has a well-designed | | | | I was however determined that the little |
| purpose-built, air-conditioned | | | | shock therapy would not ruin my first |
| conference and banquet rooms, complete | | | | evening in Kampala. Furthermore, there |
| with modern audio-visual facilities, to | | | | was no way I could dine at the same |
| cater for any function. Due to its | | | | hotel as that would choke any attempts |
| location, the hotel offers a suitable | | | | at sampling Uganda's growing economy. I |
| venue for workshops of 10 to 250 people | | | | moved to Steers on Kampala Road around |
| and outdoor functions of up to 1,000 | | | | the CBD. There was little difficulty in |
| people. The conference rooms are | | | | following the directions to the fast |
| equipped with a high-speed wireless | | | | food joint. They seemed more efficient |
| Internet connection. | | | | than the three-star hotel. |
| Holiday Express Hotel | | | | It was Friday and I began my nocturnal |
| Located in the heart of Kampala at the | | | | tour at about 8:45pm. The city was |
| junction of Luwum and Dastur Streets, | | | | teeming with not just vehicles, but |
| Holiday Express Hotel allows business | | | | human traffic too. I got a 'special |
| tourists to access vital services such | | | | hire' to the 'happening places' as the |
| as foreign exchange, downtown shopping | | | | seemingly enlightened driver called |
| and transport in and out of Kampala. The | | | | them. He quickly noticed two things: |
| facilities are designed to meet regional | | | | that I was new in Uganda and that I was |
| and international standards. All the 42 | | | | from Kenya! |
| rooms are soundproofed to allow maximum | | | | The driver through the city took me to |
| comfort. This eliminates the CBD-related | | | | what he rated as a client-friendly pub |
| cacophony. The hotel has a special rate | | | | in the heart of the city and a couple of |
| for East African nationals. All the | | | | other 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 business | | | | real 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 Equatoria | | | | me most - a Kenyan nyama choma joint. |
| Hotel Equatoria is part of the Imperial | | | | There was a good number of Kenyans and |
| Group of Hotels chain - Grand Imperial, | | | | Tusker flowed like water. It felt good |
| Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Imperial | | | | to be 'home' again. The joint-hoping |
| Resort Beach and Hotel Equatorial. It is | | | | craze went on, this time with a group of |
| located in Kampala's central business | | | | homeboys who seemed to disappear in what |
| district, about 40 kilometres from | | | | I considered dark alleys, only to |
| Entebbe International Airport. Its | | | | re-emerge stone drunk! I was told that |
| strategic location provides an ideal | | | | they 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 that | | | | It 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 shops | | | | robbers but here that did not bother the |
| to meet the shopping needs of the | | | | Friday night crowd. I met a young woman |
| guests. Hotel Equatoria has one of the | | | | who said she was a Ugandan university |
| biggest shopping malls in the country | | | | student and we went to a disco. I do not |
| and 89 air-conditioned rooms, 24 of | | | | remember the names of the clubs because |
| which are executive class, with | | | | we entered no less than three that |
| satellite television and in-house | | | | night. The mood was real carnival with |
| movies. Security is guaranteed as an | | | | folks partying hard. I learnt a lot from |
| electronic key card system is used. The | | | | the student on why people seemed so |
| executive rooms have a sitting area | | | | relaxed and at ease with foreigners. |
| complete with speed special satellite | | | | The last disco we entered was playing a |
| Internet connections, mini-bars and | | | | floor-closing number. It was 5:30 in |
| direct dialing telephone services. | | | | morning. I escorted my guide to a |
| Grand Imperial Hotel | | | | special hire, paid for her trip back to |
| The Grand Imperial Hotel is one of the | | | | campus wherever it was, and I took mine |
| first hotels in Uganda built in the | | | | to my USh 100,000 hotel room. Later, |
| colonial era. It is the only hotel that | | | | some 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, including | | | | their promise. I moved to an equally |
| suites, reflect the urban elegance and | | | | decent hotel within the CBD for less |
| easy southern charm of the city. The | | | | than half the previous cost! |
| hotel, part of the Imperial Group of | | | | I spent the afternoon visiting the |
| Hotels, is centrally located in Kampala, | | | | famous Makerere University, Entebbe |
| and is just a 30 minute drive from | | | | International Airport and its environs, |
| Entebbe International Airport. All the | | | | the National Museum, Ndere Cultural |
| rooms have high-speed Internet | | | | Centre, the palace of the Kabaka of |
| connection, electronic safes and | | | | Buganda and the National Parliament. I |
| mini-bars and direct dialing telephone | | | | went 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, steam | | | | any case, the bus was set to leave at |
| and spa baths, a shopping mall and a | | | | 7:00am on Sunday. I arrived back from |
| large secure car park. It also offers | | | | Kampala with fond memories, having spent |
| free personalized airport service, forex | | | | 24 great hours in Kampala. I most likely |
| bureau and doctors on call 24 hours. | | | | will go back, particularly to visit my |
| Imperial Resort Beach Hotel | | | | university friend whom I guess must be |
| The five-star Imperial Resort Beach | | | | about to graduate. |
| Hotel is situated in Entebbe on 27 acres | | | | |