The wild Lodges
Rushaga gorilla lodge Bwindi National park
Gorilla valley lodge Bwindi National park
Buhoma lodge Bwind National park
Simba safari lodge Queen Elizabeth
Irungu forest safari lodge
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Serenada Eco Resort, Natures Gift to you
It sits on the edge of a peaceful jungle at the shores of Lake Victoria, near Kampala. To be more precise, it is found in Mukono District, Mpatta Sub-county, Butere. It is a well-conserved ecological getaway that is perfect for honeymoon or family holidays.
Apart from a lake waterfront, Serenada is also comprised of two tropical forests, four flowery gardens, a jungle of papyrus and a beach. The buildings here are nothing short of Eco-friendly. They are built of materials that are dearer to the Eco-system such as softwood, bamboo reeds, smooth murram, and thatched with grass. This naturally attracts lots of birds with soothing calls that are as sweet to the ears as serenade music. For a more fulfilling experience, you could head out for a guided bird-watching excursion around the lake and its shores. You stand high chances of seeing the 220 species to which Serenada is paradise.
In no exaggeration, Serenada is the kind of getaway you would want to stay in forever.
Bwindi Jungle Lodge: True Oasis of peace and comfort
To say Bwindi Jungle Lodge is just an astonishing safari lodge is quite an understatement. It is a destination of diversity, energy, and culture. From the fancy colors that burst open in its blue skies, to its charming sunset that leaves many of its visitors at a loss of words, it is a tourist facility where you can explore the wilderness and be pampered in splendor.
There are many particulars that comprise a great stay, and this destination which is located on Lake Mulehe, mucha, about 10kilometers from Kisoro town provides so many.
Serenity, comfort, convenience, and cleanliness are top-notch at this facility—which prides itself in having six fully-fledged cottages. From its wall fence which was built using blocks of solid volcanic ash, to the relaxing beds made of finely furnished tree planks, much of its décor and architectural design is themed along with eco-friendliness. They are built out of locally available materials creatively fashioned to impress.
However, what struck me the most about this facility which is a property of Uganda Jungle lodges is its hospitality. The hosts treat you with such care, like you are a long-lost family, finally reunited. After a fruitful day of gorilla tracking in the Southern Wing of Bwindi, a forest park that sits 20kilometers to its North, I arrived here with three friends on a cold evening in Mid- April. We had come for a two-day visit in celebration of Shaban’s 26th birthday (one of our members).
We were greeted with smiles at the door and invited to sit before being served fresh cocktail juice. I guess this was meant to give us a perfect beginning to the end of our day. What ensued next was a thirty minutes conservation that flowed naturally as chaired by Sherinah Ngabirano, the Lodge’s Manager. The cheery host was briefing us about fun experiences around the lodge we could pursue during our stay.
The lodge’s menu exclusively featured organically grown farm fresh goodies from its kitchen garden.
According to the chef, Jonathan Katongole, this tradition is inspired by the need to feed diners healthy foods. Similarly, it is purposed to conserve the ecosystem.
“The growth of organic foods, unlike genetically modified organisms, isn’t dependent on herbicides.”… “This helps us avoid the usage of herbicides which otherwise would have poisoned micro-organisms in the soil.” He said
In the philosophy of the Uganda Jungle Lodges, the lodge has maximum attention to the respect of the environment by using solar energy, alternative charcoal Briketi, and gas, by recycling all materials collecting them at an organized Waste Management Point. It also re-uses organic waste to make compost for the fertilization of the gardens.
State of rooms
The rooms which are named after gorillas of the nearby Mghahinga National Park were comfortable and quiet. Each of them is built to offer refreshing views of the lake. It quite bothered me though that the lighting of mine, in particular, was strong. I couldn’t help it echo my concern to Denis Akena, a caretaker at the facility. A few hours later, my situation was fixed with more cozy light.
Away from the state of the rooms, the setting buds with indigenous tree species that are a favorite of bird’s species inclusive of migratory ones like the African Harrier hawk.
As such, one’s eardrums are melted with the calls of different species all day, all night. If you fancy coming out in the moonlight to catch sight of nocturnal birds, brace yourself for a rewarding encounter with the barn owl, a species adored across the continent for being wise and prudent.
In pursuit of bird species we hadn’t seen at our doorsteps, we were taken for a birdwatching boat cruise in the adjacent Lake Mulehe, a crater attraction surrounded by rolling hills. We found tons of them at the tributary connecting the lake to Lake Mutanda. Most of these were the type dependent on fish for prey, such as the pied kingfishers. The clear views of mountain Muhavura as seen during the expedition was endearing. I found more than inspiration in its view.
Later in the day, our experience was capped with an agro-tourism experience and village walk in Giseke, a traditional village of the Bafumbira located within 20 minutes boat ride from the lodge.
Both experiences were one of a kind. It was led by Habigiriziman Christopher, 72, an ardent conservationist partnering with the lodge in spearheading the regeneration of a natural forest in the locality.
I highly recommend this adventure, especially for honeymooners and family holidays.
Other attractions/ experiences within easy reach
The Great Virunga Mountains inclusive of Mountain Nyiragongo, an active volcano in Congo.
The Batwa trail can be done both in Mgahinga NP and Echuya Forest; in Mgahinga also it is possible the climbing the Muhavura Volcano (whose view is nicely seen from the lodge).
For details
ugandajunglelodges.com
Facebook: Uganda Jungle Lodges
+256 772 673825
Gastronomical holiday
They say that life is all about the little things. When is the last time you took a little time off? I don’t mean time off like a day or week of leave from work;
I mean just a little time off your schedule or your daily routine.
Having the same exact routine is just as boring & draining as having a fixed diet. And I refer to the most important meal of the day, which is breakfast. Wouldn’t you want your next breakfast to be an experience different from the ordinary? Our taste buds too are entitled to traveling and touring just as much as our minds & bodies are refreshed by a safari or a road trip out of town .
There is a place in Kampala where you can feed your mind, body and soul while taking them for a brief holiday in a single serving. Using nothing more than words, allow me to take you there. Come and treat your soul and arouse your senses to a delightful blend of freshly baked pastry aromas while you discover a whole new range of authentic rich tastes against a distant musical backdrop of Kampala’s bustling traffic. Have you had a long day at work? Was your week hectic? All that could be changed by a cold pint over some hot wings, spare goat ribs, or pork chops while you review your report or make plans for the night or the week ahead.
Perhaps you would like to just wash down a hot espresso with a thick slice of black forest or a croissant as you tear it apart and dig into the day’s newspaper. Maybe you need to meet that prospection neutral ground, be it a business or personal meeting
g –then La Patisserie is here to meet you halfway there. I mean, where else in this restless crowded city of Kampala can you get the opportunity to design your own sandwich and customize it from the bread right down to the dressing being sure that not a single speck of dust found its way into your recipe? With our mouth-wateringly wide array of both local and imported cheese options to choose from, various premium meats like turkey, chicken &ham, not forgetting a decent selection of salads & vegetables for the vegans, we are truly sandwich heaven. Don’t wonder why our fries, burgers, gelatos, and mochas are famous & distinct, it is because we source quality organic local produce right from the coffee beans to the eggs, milk, and wheat that we use in our bakery.
So be sure that you will taste something authentic every time you make a selection on our menu. What are you waiting for? Listen to your heart. Pick up your phone and follow up that lead! Call up that date or that prospect, spoil your family or your friends, or just give yourself that little much-needed time off and a break away from the usual diet, the work routine, and the already crowded cafe scene, La Patisserie is the place to be. Trust me, a mini holiday awaits you and your taste buds. See you there
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