A place for a wild blast
Dec 21, 2006
Christmas is a time when many people can comfortably sit back, relax and pamper themselves and their families. This is only appropriate since they have toiled all year long to earn a living and even save for a holiday. So, it would be good to move away from the noise and early-morning rush hour. Her
By Titus Serunjogi
Christmas is a time when many people can comfortably sit back, relax and pamper themselves and their families. This is only appropriate since they have toiled all year long to earn a living and even save for a holiday. So, it would be good to move away from the noise and early-morning rush hour. Here are some of the top out-of-town places where one can chill out during the festive season
Red Chilli Rest Camp
Sleeping in a tent in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park for as little as sh10,000 per night? Sounds too good to be true! And you can go out in the morning to catch a breathtaking view of the waterfalls before following in the tracks of the chimpanzees. You can even hire a boat to take you along as you look at buffaloes, elephants and hippos.
People who travel with families can also be accommodated at the family unit. This has an ensuite bathroom, towels, mosquito nets, lighting and several beds, all for sh90,000 a night.
The Red Chilli Rest Camp is nearly a day’s drive from Kampala. If you can afford to part with $328 (about sh572,360), you can hire an open-roof 4X4 Land Cruiser from African Pearl Safaris. The camp will also provide meals and make sure that you get a launch cruise right up to the bottom of the Murchison Falls.
Ndali Lodge, Fort Portal
Look no further if you want a nice cottage that opens out to spectacular views of the sun setting over the Rwenzori Mountains.
Tourists also get to enjoy wild honey on bread. You will also get a chance to swim in Lake Nyinambuga, a crater lake. Tourists can even hire people to show them the sights up to the Mahoma waterfalls.
For accommodation, you will have to part with $110 (about sh200,000) for full board here; and $160 (about sh280,000) if you come along with your significant other. (Special arrangements can be made for the kids.) Log onto www.ndalilodge.com to reserve a place before the 16-bed lodge gets all booked.
The Haven, Jinja
And, if you feel fascinated at the prospect of banding up with the ‘boys’ and going out fishing Nile Perch, then The Haven is the place for you.
Guests get a chance to see the River Nile as it flows along. At night, guests sit round a fire and have dinner or a drink before retiring to their bandas (a papyrus-thatched brick hut).
A banda goes for $50 (about sh87,000) full board. Guests can also camp on the lawn for $5 (about sh9,000) a night.
Guests can hire canoes to take them bird-watching for the white-headed Fish Eagles.
Mirembe Resort Beach, Sesse Islands
Mirembe Resort Beach is the perfect haven for anyone who wants some peace and quiet by the lakeside.
The dense forests offshore add to the feeling of calm and peace. The place has become so popular that people regularly go for retreats there. No wonder, the place is fully booked for this season.
Guests leave Nakiwogo landing site, Entebbe at 2:00pm and enjoy a cool, scenic sailing for three hours. Many tourists wake up to swim and enjoy themselves on the beach.
Sipi Falls Lodge,
Kapchorwa
Fancy spending the day alternating between views of the arid Karamoja plains and the romantic Sipi falls? Then this lodge is the place for you to be.
It is only a five-hour drive from Kampala. Volcanoes Safari’s trips to and from Sipi Falls Lodge cost $500 (about sh873,000) per person.
Nabugabo Sand Beach
Nabugabo Sand Beach is the one place to be on Boxing Day. The place will host top-notch artistes who kick-up a party till the wee hours. The lodges here go for up to sh24,000 per person. But guests are also allowed to pitch their tents here and sleep on the beautiful grassy lawn for sh5,000 a night.
Christmas is a time when many people can comfortably sit back, relax and pamper themselves and their families. This is only appropriate since they have toiled all year long to earn a living and even save for a holiday. So, it would be good to move away from the noise and early-morning rush hour. Here are some of the top out-of-town places where one can chill out during the festive season
Red Chilli Rest Camp
Sleeping in a tent in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park for as little as sh10,000 per night? Sounds too good to be true! And you can go out in the morning to catch a breathtaking view of the waterfalls before following in the tracks of the chimpanzees. You can even hire a boat to take you along as you look at buffaloes, elephants and hippos.
People who travel with families can also be accommodated at the family unit. This has an ensuite bathroom, towels, mosquito nets, lighting and several beds, all for sh90,000 a night.
The Red Chilli Rest Camp is nearly a day’s drive from Kampala. If you can afford to part with $328 (about sh572,360), you can hire an open-roof 4X4 Land Cruiser from African Pearl Safaris. The camp will also provide meals and make sure that you get a launch cruise right up to the bottom of the Murchison Falls.
Ndali Lodge, Fort Portal
Look no further if you want a nice cottage that opens out to spectacular views of the sun setting over the Rwenzori Mountains.
Tourists also get to enjoy wild honey on bread. You will also get a chance to swim in Lake Nyinambuga, a crater lake. Tourists can even hire people to show them the sights up to the Mahoma waterfalls.
For accommodation, you will have to part with $110 (about sh200,000) for full board here; and $160 (about sh280,000) if you come along with your significant other. (Special arrangements can be made for the kids.) Log onto www.ndalilodge.com to reserve a place before the 16-bed lodge gets all booked.
The Haven, Jinja
And, if you feel fascinated at the prospect of banding up with the ‘boys’ and going out fishing Nile Perch, then The Haven is the place for you.
Guests get a chance to see the River Nile as it flows along. At night, guests sit round a fire and have dinner or a drink before retiring to their bandas (a papyrus-thatched brick hut).
A banda goes for $50 (about sh87,000) full board. Guests can also camp on the lawn for $5 (about sh9,000) a night.
Guests can hire canoes to take them bird-watching for the white-headed Fish Eagles.
Mirembe Resort Beach, Sesse Islands
Mirembe Resort Beach is the perfect haven for anyone who wants some peace and quiet by the lakeside.
The dense forests offshore add to the feeling of calm and peace. The place has become so popular that people regularly go for retreats there. No wonder, the place is fully booked for this season.
Guests leave Nakiwogo landing site, Entebbe at 2:00pm and enjoy a cool, scenic sailing for three hours. Many tourists wake up to swim and enjoy themselves on the beach.
Sipi Falls Lodge,
Kapchorwa
Fancy spending the day alternating between views of the arid Karamoja plains and the romantic Sipi falls? Then this lodge is the place for you to be.
It is only a five-hour drive from Kampala. Volcanoes Safari’s trips to and from Sipi Falls Lodge cost $500 (about sh873,000) per person.
Nabugabo Sand Beach
Nabugabo Sand Beach is the one place to be on Boxing Day. The place will host top-notch artistes who kick-up a party till the wee hours. The lodges here go for up to sh24,000 per person. But guests are also allowed to pitch their tents here and sleep on the beautiful grassy lawn for sh5,000 a night.