Hi, Philip.

Forest Cottages (www.forest-cottages.com) is one of the best place to stay in kampala with very peacefulAfrican forest environment. Rack Rates are From USD 55/- To USD 150/- Contact:- info@forest-cottages.com Tel :- +256-414-287308 Cell :- +256-752-711746

Dhaval Machhar

Work has begun on construction of a mid-range tented lodge, in a spectacular setting at Murushasha right on the edge of the forest. The lodge is situated between Butogota and Ruhija on the eastern side of the park and is conveniently placed for gorilla tracking at Buhoma, Ruhija (both less than 1 hrs drive) or to newly habituated groups in the immediate area. Chimpanzees, and at least 5 species of monkey are regular seen from the site and the area is extremely rich in birdlife. It is intended to build 4-5 luxury tents on wooden platforms overlooking the forest, as well as a restaurant, gym, and, eventually, a swimming pool. Prices will be in the range of $60-70 p person p night. The lodge, provisionally called Cuckooland Tented Lodge, is expected to open at the end of 2010. For more information contact Philip on 0757 399046 (send a SMS if you fail with a call as phone network can be erratic) or at pmsassoon@yahoo.co.uk .

Philip Sassoon

Ann McCarthy has just alerted me to the existence of this new lodge at Ruhanga, 40km from Mbarara. It sounds like an excellent set-up, with a strong community-based ethos – for more details check out their website www.ugandalodge.com

Hi Phillip I am unsure if the new edition of UGANDA has been completed yet but if not there are some misleading mistakes in the entries for getting to Bwindi (am doing this from memory) There are TWO Ntungamo – the medium sized town approx midway on Kabale Road between Mbarara and Kabale and there must be a tiny settlement up near Buhoma somewhere. Also the maps in that area are not very accurate and mention places that are not on map. But that one especially is quite important that its corrected as its very difficult for visitors driving themselves. We have some updates on our website for Uganda Lodge (between Itojo hospital and Ntungamo town at Ruhanga – I am hoping that we will get a mintion in the next edition – we now have 10 rooms plus also some camping equipment that can be borrowed. Volunteers this summer have ben welcomed in the village and the local schools. I guess it doesnt help that on I think its the google map – Ruhanga is also in the wrong place. Thankyou Ann

Bay Roberts has asked “Is it true that there is a per person fee per day when visiting the Ugandan national parks? Is this correct: $30/per person/per day?”

To answer Bay, yes that is more-or-less true, depending on the park. Details of park fees when the 5th edition was published are included on on page 30-31 of the guide. For updated fees, check the Uganda Wildlife Authority website page on tariffs.

Hello, I was volunteering in Uganda this summer and then went travelling around Uganda with a few friends. We used the Bradt guide the whole time we were there! Whilst travelling we came across a great little hotel/guest house that was being done up as we were there, and had such an amazing time there that I had to email you about it. We went to do a gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park and the group we had visas for were a new group in Nshongi (at the southern gate). I know that most people probably do guided tours but as we were independent travellers we found it wasn’t entirely clear where the different groups are located and that there is more than one entrance to the park. We had orginally booked accommodation near the main entrance but then discovered the group we were going to see were over 220km away from there! We asked around and someone told us about the Wagtail Eco Safari Camp. We rang up enroute and booked in. The owner is Kanyamynya Fidelis, and he was doing up his lodge when we stayed there but he still offered to book us in and we had an an amazing stay there. He is really into community development and runs the Nkuringo cultural centre with actors, singing troupes, dancing, african drumming, craft making. He brought us on a community tour which involved a visit to the local schools, the local hospital, to see a community beehive initiative and to a waterfall. His chef also gave us cookery lessons! It was really great and gave a real African community experience to our trip (which after living for five weeks with a family in rural Uganda I can vouch for!) If you want to get in touch with him his phone number is: +256 755208775 and his email is: kanyamuny@yahoo.com he has a website but not sure if its fully functional yet: www.nkuringo.com My whole experience in Uganda was amazing but he was so welcoming and his staff were great, the memory of our first night there around a bonfire with traditional african dancing and singing will always stay with us. I feel that we came across a hidden gem in Uganda at Wagtail Eco Safari Camp and that many of your readers would also enjoy the experience there. The warmth of their welcome, the interaction with the community, the knowledge that he is working with and for the community and not just for himself, the amazing food, heart touching entertainment and the breathtaking scenery of the village all make it an unimaginable but unforgetable experience.

Thanks, Aine Martin

Recently my wife and I opened a coffee shop in Gulu, Northern Uganda. It is right in the center of town, on Market Rd., two doors down from Jojo’s Palace and across from Hotel Diplomat. Café Larem (the Acholi word for “friendship”, pronounced la-REHM) is currently the only place in Gulu to get a cup of freshly-brewed coffee or speciality coffee drink, such as a latte, cappuccino, or mocha. We also serve American-style pastries, including items such as chocolate chip cookies, six internet stations for laptops and a range of newspapers to enjoy with snacks, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. A portion of the proceeds provides medical care for the children of St. Jude’s orphanage. We opened our doors on June 1, 2009 and were an immediate success with the large number of expats there – aid workers, researchers, and missionaries. As a result, it’s proved to be a great place to connect with other Westerners in Gulu. Our hours are Mon-Sat, 8-8, and Sun 12-8. Our phone number is 0777585062. You can also read customers’ reviews online by googling “Cafe Larem”. Rita and Justin Garson (the owners) are an American couple who moved to Gulu to volunteer, and felt the best way we could benefit the community was through starting a small business. Currently it’s run entirely by our fantastic Ugandan staff. Thanks!

Justin Garson

Ankole Riverline Hotel is located adjacent to Mbarara bridge on Kabale Road Plot 89/91 It is 10 mins drive from Mbarara town. It shares borders with River Rwizi. Recently modified and decorated with the best designed 3 star facilities intercom, hot water with Sports channel on GTV and action on DSTV from rooms. Executive suites comprising modern architectural finishes. Deluxe and Twin rooms are cost effective and selff-contained. INCENTIVE By booking via Ariba Tours & Travel we can check availability and confirm prices, discounts subject to terms of stay. Contact Pete or David directly at ariba.tours@yahoo.com or visit the Ariba Tours Website.

In August we visited Fort Portal and sister Priscilla, a gynaecologist of Virika Hospital. We stayed in Lisieux Centre, a guesthouse/congress centre of the congregation, not far from the hotel mountains of the moon, in Nyabukara, Nyaika avenue. A lovely peaceful place to be, looking out over the Rwenzori mountains, basic but clean and well maintained by sisters. The home made meals are excellent as is the service, for example laundry. Price: single 35.000 ush, double 45.000 ush, meals 10.000 ush including drinks; We highly recommend this guesthouse; Everybody is welcome there, and you will feel both free and at home. Moreover, with your stay you support all activities of the congregation in the field of health and social care and education. On our way to Kampala we had an excellent break for lunch in Kyenjojo, in Tooral Royal Cottages, plot 19-33 Hoima Road; At the end of our tour we organised a private performance of traditional dancing in Ndere centre (as mentioned in your guide). However, different from what is mentioned in the guide, public performances are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while on Thursdays a private performance can be arranged as we did (for a group of 7), for prices far below of what we usually pay for a musical in the Netherlands or in the UK. Just negotciate. We were welcomed as kings! Ndere centre, Stephen Rwangyezi, director. With kind regards Jos en Noor Rooijackers The Netherlands

In August we visited Fort Portal and sister Priscilla, a gynaecologist of Virika Hospital. We stayed in Lisieux Centre, a guesthouse/congress centre of the congregation, not far from the hotel mountains of the moon, in Nyabukara, Nyaika avenue. A lovely peaceful place to be, looking out over the Rwenzori mountains, basic but clean and well maintained by sisters. The home made meals are excellent as is the service, for example laundry. Price: single 35.000 ush, double 45.000 ush, meals 10.000 ush including drinks; We highly recommend this guesthouse; Everybody is welcome there, and you will feel both free and at home. Moreover, with your stay you support all activities of the congregation in the field of health and social care and education. On our way to Kampala we had an excellent break for lunch in Kyenjojo, in Tooral Royal Cottages, plot 19-33 Hoima Road; At the end of our tour we organised a private performance of traditional dancing in Ndere centre (as mentioned in your guide). However, different from what is mentioned in the guide, public performances are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while on Thursdays a private performance can be arranged as we did (for a group of 7), for prices far below of what we usually pay for a musical in the Netherlands or in the UK. Just negotciate. We were welcomed as kings! Ndere centre, Stephen Rwangyezi, director. With kind regards Jos en Noor Rooijackers The Netherlands