Mabira’s hidden Treasure
Apr 06, 2007
UNDER the thick canopy of the hardwood tropical forest, a magical baby has come to life. The magic of Mabira forest, is not the much-talked about sugarcane plantation. It is the $2m worth up-market lodge – the Rain Forest Lodge – owned by the Alam group and African Challenge, a Dutch company.
By Matthias Mugisha
UNDER the thick canopy of the hardwood tropical forest, a magical baby has come to life. The magic of Mabira forest, is not the much-talked about sugarcane plantation. It is the $2m worth up-market lodge – the Rain Forest Lodge – owned by the Alam group and African Challenge, a Dutch company.
Its location and nature-friendly design makes it one of the best forest lodges in the country and in East Africa.
For a visitor, it is a unique experience. The creatures keep the jungle lively at night with melodies. The ancient defiant trees stand straight like bodyguards, while the wildlife roam around their God-given kingdom. And as usual, the Mabira trademark animal, the tree hyrax, wails at night. The butterflies, the monkeys, the birds and insects seem to welcome visitors with a blend of choruses.
Zahid Alam, the man who designed the complex, says the lodge was planned to enhance the appreciation of nature by connecting visitors to the environment.
“We are establishing a linkage between visitors and the conservation of the forest by raising awareness,†he says Zahid is the same man behind Jacana Safari lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Nile Safari lodge near Murchison Falls National Park. All the structures are made of local materials – rock, sisal and wood.
Despite this heavenly synchronisation, Zahid has one regret. There are mobile telephone signals atop Ggangu hill, where the lodge is located. He is looking for ways of jamming the signals.
“The relaxation is heavenly, but that can be interrupted by telephone calls.â€
The Rain Forest Lodge as it has been baptised has 12 self-contained wooden cottages, including VIP chalets. The VIP facilities come complete with separate accommodation for bodyguards and secretaries. Though the complex covers a vast area in the jungle, trees have not been cut. Paved walkways, which stretch for several kilometres connect the cottages to the dining and the public area.
All the cottages are blanketed in ever green foliage. Their verandas high above the ground, command picturesque views of Uganda’s most talked about rain forest.
The meals, if you do not opt for room service are served in an ambient dining room, below the public area. The menu ranges from continental, Indian and fusion, according to Joseph Ssenyonga, the deputy lodge manager.
“We strive to have the best food in the country.â€
The swimming pool and a sauna, in the heart of the jungle, are other additions for the epitomising blissful living in mother nature’s territory. With over 300 bird and butterfly species, plus about 200 tree species in Mabira forest, the lodge offers unparalleled opportunities for forest walks and bird watching.
The new lodge that also caters for parties, weekend get-aways, honeymoons, workshops and conferences is also giving the local people cause to smile. The local people are stocking up crafts in anticipation of bigger things to come.
Sssenyonga says the farmers are already selling more produce to the hotel apart from getting employment.
UNDER the thick canopy of the hardwood tropical forest, a magical baby has come to life. The magic of Mabira forest, is not the much-talked about sugarcane plantation. It is the $2m worth up-market lodge – the Rain Forest Lodge – owned by the Alam group and African Challenge, a Dutch company.
Its location and nature-friendly design makes it one of the best forest lodges in the country and in East Africa.
For a visitor, it is a unique experience. The creatures keep the jungle lively at night with melodies. The ancient defiant trees stand straight like bodyguards, while the wildlife roam around their God-given kingdom. And as usual, the Mabira trademark animal, the tree hyrax, wails at night. The butterflies, the monkeys, the birds and insects seem to welcome visitors with a blend of choruses.
Zahid Alam, the man who designed the complex, says the lodge was planned to enhance the appreciation of nature by connecting visitors to the environment.
“We are establishing a linkage between visitors and the conservation of the forest by raising awareness,†he says Zahid is the same man behind Jacana Safari lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Nile Safari lodge near Murchison Falls National Park. All the structures are made of local materials – rock, sisal and wood.
Despite this heavenly synchronisation, Zahid has one regret. There are mobile telephone signals atop Ggangu hill, where the lodge is located. He is looking for ways of jamming the signals.
“The relaxation is heavenly, but that can be interrupted by telephone calls.â€
The Rain Forest Lodge as it has been baptised has 12 self-contained wooden cottages, including VIP chalets. The VIP facilities come complete with separate accommodation for bodyguards and secretaries. Though the complex covers a vast area in the jungle, trees have not been cut. Paved walkways, which stretch for several kilometres connect the cottages to the dining and the public area.
All the cottages are blanketed in ever green foliage. Their verandas high above the ground, command picturesque views of Uganda’s most talked about rain forest.
The meals, if you do not opt for room service are served in an ambient dining room, below the public area. The menu ranges from continental, Indian and fusion, according to Joseph Ssenyonga, the deputy lodge manager.
“We strive to have the best food in the country.â€
The swimming pool and a sauna, in the heart of the jungle, are other additions for the epitomising blissful living in mother nature’s territory. With over 300 bird and butterfly species, plus about 200 tree species in Mabira forest, the lodge offers unparalleled opportunities for forest walks and bird watching.
The new lodge that also caters for parties, weekend get-aways, honeymoons, workshops and conferences is also giving the local people cause to smile. The local people are stocking up crafts in anticipation of bigger things to come.
Sssenyonga says the farmers are already selling more produce to the hotel apart from getting employment.