Gulu Homestay
Location: Iriaga-Gulu
Come stay at the Acholi village with a local family in a traditional African banda. This community accommodation offers its visitors an authentic taste of daily Ugandan life and complete cultural immersion. See the day-to-day activities of a typical northern Ugandan village while the proceeds from your trip are directly benefiting the local population.
Room Description
Guests can choose between sleeping in a private room or a dormitory. Eight rooms are available for guests; all have private bathrooms with a composting toilet, bathing basin and hot water. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Activities At The Lodge
- Hiking/ trekking
- Bird watching
- Visit to local school
- Volunteer opportunities
- Ability to view the day-to-day operations of a Ugandan village
- Watch and help Ugandans work the fields and do other daily village work.
Responsible Travel
- All foods and supplies are sourced locally.
- All the proceeds from village tourism directly benefits the local community through economic and social development.
Contact
Primary contact: Mr. Opiyo Peter Bob
Phone:
+256(0)782798887
E-mail:
gulukidsuganda@yahoo.com
Igongo Cultural Center
Location: 12km from Mbarara town along Masaka – Mbarara highway.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by gorgeous scenery of gardens and beautiful buildings that house a museum, a crafts shop and a restaurant. We serve traditional dishes of millet bread, matooke and ghee, along with a local drink made from millet or sorghum. All ingredients are locally sourced to guarantee freshness and support local producers.
A hotel and campsite is currently being constructed near the center and is anticipated to open in the coming months. The hotel will house up to 22 quests per night and include electricity, private bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers, all-inclusive meals and mosquito nets. There will also be dorm rooms.
Activities:
- Medicinal plants tour
- Visit to a local school
- Traditional dance or music performance
- Crafts demonstration
- Museum tour
- Hill climbing
- Donkey rides (coming soon)
- Learn how to preform traditional Ugandan chores
- Visit to local farms
Description of Tours:
- Museum Tour – this takes between 30 – 40 minutes and showcases artifacts and information on culture and traditions of the people of southwestern Uganda.
- Cultural village – this demonstrates the evolution of housing and the cultural setting and arrangement of a typical Nyankore and Kigezi households. It includes crafts demonstrations, music performances, traditional chores and much more!
- Sculptures and trees of medicinal value– there are a number of historical sculptures of animals and people. Visitors can also see herbal trees and those with cultural significance in the gardens of the centre.
- Tourists can also experience daily village life through home visits, a hill walk and visits to community schools.
Responsible Travel
- The Center uses energy-saving bulbs, minimizes the use of charcoal for cooking and minimizes solid waste. The crafts shop uses decomposable packing bags instead of plastic bags.
- The Center maintains a clean, green environment and encourages the local community to do the same.
- Visitors requested to observe cleanliness and leave the natural environment intact.
- Over half our technical and support staff are sourced from the local communities.
- Over 60% of crafts are supplied by local artists.
- All local dishes are procured from the local community and available at all times for visitors.
- Local dance groups are hired to present their performances, and are trained in professional dance and arts.
- The Center uses the museum to showcase and inform visitors of the area’s artifacts, history, lifestyle and beliefs. Our mini bookshop displays publications about the cultures of south western Uganda.
- The profits earned from tourism products are used to train and promote local artists and sponsor educational cultural radio programs on local stations.
- The Center has secured land for establishing a forest for indigenous tree species, in order to preserve the surrounding natural area.
Duration and Booking
- The duration of tours depends on the size of tour groups.
- It is advisable to start tours in the morning
- It is also advisable to books two weeks in advance
Price
Tours: $5-10, depending on tour and group size
Entrance fee: $8
Price per person per night (anticipated): US. $ 100
Contact
Telephone: 0774380848/0701510329
Email: igongo.museum@gmail.com
Website: www.igongomuseum.co.u
Jjaja Bbanga Community
Location: Rakai district,Nabigassa sub-county Ngoma Village
Discover the Jjaja Bbanga community and stay in a local guesthouse that was once the home of the community’s chief. Enjoy authentic Ugandan community accommodation and partake in the various activities offered through Grassrootz Safari, a sponsor of the community. During your stay you can participate in tourism activities throughout the village, many of which entail volunteering activities which support the community and conservation.
Room Description
Guests can sleep in the very same place the village chief once slept! Rooms are set up dormitory-style and all have electricity, towels, sheets, mosquito nets, showers and flushing toilets. The guesthouse can accommodate up to nine people per night and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Activities At The Lodge
- Visit to local school
- Volunteer opportunities
- Ability to view day-to-day life in a Ugandan village
- Traditional dance or music performance
- Watch and help Ugandan work the fields and do other daily village work.
Responsible Travel
- We mainly employ parents of the students from Jjaja Bbanga primary school.
- Visitors may purchase local arts and crafts which directly benefits the village economy.
- All food is sourced and produced within the village, also helping to generate village income.
- The guesthouse takes active measures to minimize waste, use of water and use of electricity. We use water from the well and/or rainwater. Our visitors have the opportunity to fetch the water themselves so that they can feel as culturally immersed as possible. This also encourages them to use the water responsibly.
- For electricity we use solar energy and at our school project there is a bio-gas installation.
- We help clean the surrounding area as well as educating visitors on overall environmental impact reduction techniques.
Price
Contact
Phone:
0775193270 / 0775193271
E-mail:
guest@icuganda.org
Website:
www.icuganda.org/jjajabbanga/content
Rwenjeru Parish
Location: Biharwe sub-county Mbarara district.
Visit Rwenjeru Parish and embark on an array of unforgettable cultural and natural activites. You will even have the option of spending the night in an authentic Ugandan community!
Room and Lodge Description
The dormitory-style rooms all have electricity, towels, sheets, mosquito nets, showers and flushing toilets. The guesthouse has the capacity to accommodate up to 100 people per night. Visitors can enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. Extra amenities include tents, self catering facilities, canteens and a campfire. There is also an on-site restaurant where visitors can enjoy traditional Ugandan food.Activities At The Lodge
- Hiking / Trekking
- Bird Watching
- Other Wildlife Watching
- Medicinal plants tour
- Traditional dance or music performance
- Volunteer Program
- Visits to a local school
- Crafts demonstrations
- Watch and help Ugandan work the fields and do other quotidian village work, such as gardening, bee keeping and cattle herding
Responsible Travel
- We involve communities rather than individuals. For this reason, we believe, local guides should participate in the planning and managing of the tour since this gives back to the local community.
- The profits from tourism help us respect traditional culture and social structures, which contributes to the conservation of our rich cultural heritage.
- Profits also help us come up with mechanisms to help communities cope with the damage created by commercial tourism.
- Visitors can purchase local arts and crafts which directly benefits the village economy.
- All the food prepared is sourced and produced within the village.
- We help clean the surrounding area and educate our local neighbors on overall environmental impact reduction techniques.
Price
20,000 Ugsh per/night
Tour or Activity:
10,000- 30,000 Ugsh
Contact
Contact us for more information about Pearls of Uganda
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp
Location: Located near the gates of Mgahinga National Park
Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp is located by the entrance to Mgahinga National Park and is only 12 km from the southwestern town of Kisoro near the Rwandan border.
At the camp, visitors can enjoy the magnificent views of the famous Virunga Volcanoes and take part in monkey trekking. The camp is located at a perfect starting point for golden monkey trekking through the national park.
Camp Amenities
- Camping facilities and 4 bandas
- Spacious gathering shelter with indoor and outdoor dining
- Well-stocked canteen serving beers, sodas, snacks and basic essentials.
- Restaurant serving typical Ugandan meals
Room Description
Activities At the Camp
- Guided walks through the village and to a nearby crater lake, lava tubes and caves
- Cultural dance performances from the local women’s group and the Batwa people
- Guided climbs of the Virunga volcanoes
- Visits to nearby schools, agricultural projects, local communities and more!
Responsible Travel
- The association has provided funds to two local schools; one used the funds to roof its main building; and the other used it for the construction of the main buildings themselves.
- The community camp came together to establish a stretcher club, so that, when needed, funds are available to get someone to hospital.
- The community camp provides English lessons, and environmental and tourism awareness programmes to about 30 children.
- We sensitize members of our community about nature conservation through various initiatives.
- The staff of the camp are locally sourced from surrounding communities to create employment opportunities.
- The camp acquires all of its fruits, vegetables and food from surrounding communities.
Contact
Tel: +256(0)772-435148/ +256(0)772519494
Web:
Accommodation Prices
- Camping in own tent: US $5 per person, per night
- Dormitory: US $8 per person, per night
- Banda (1 double bed or 2 single beds, not self-contained): US $20 per night
- Banda (2 single beds, self-contained): US $30 per night
Note: all prices above exclude meals
Activity Prices
- Batwa village walk: US $20 per person
- Cave exploration: US $10 per person
- Local hike: US $10 per person
Pearls Supported
Clouds Mounta
in Gorilla Lodge
Location: Nkuringo, bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is Bwindi’s most exclusive and luxurious place to stay, with gorgeous architecture; indulgent three-course meals; roaring fires; Volcano panoramas; and attentive personal staff to ensure your stay at the Lodge is as memorable and enjoyable as your encounters with Bwindi’s mountain gorillas. Spacious villas nestled in the cloud forest have full-length windows to make the most of the spectacular scenery, and are serviced by your own personal staff member.
Delicious meals include hearty breakfasts to prepare you for a day in the forest, and the well-stocked bar has enormous armchairs, cosy fires and free wifi so you can share your adventures with friends back home.
Clouds is owned by the local village, so you can be sure that your stay contributes to the wellbeing of the surrounding Bakiga and Batwa communities,which you can visit on one of our fascinating cultural tours.
Lodge Amenities
- Restaurant and bar
- Wireless internet access
- Large lounge with fireplaces and sofas
- Massage spa
- Curio shop
Room Description
Clouds Lodge comprises eight stone villas, two of which are double-roomed family suites. Villas have a patio area, private garden lounges and double-sided fireplaces. Family suites have one double and one twin bedroom, and a communal lounge area with an open fireplace. Each bedroom has its own spacious en suite bathroom.
Responsible Travel
Clouds supports the Nkuringo Conservation and Development Foundation, and runs community tours to support and educate both the local people and visitors. The village tour provides an insight into Bakiga and Batwa life, and proceeds are returned to the community. So far, Clouds has supported chicken and pig farming and vegetable garden projects.
Contact
Phone:+256-414501866
+256-772657700
Website:
www.wildplacesafrica.com
Email:
info@wildplacesafrica.com
Price
Twin: E. African resident/ child supplement: $315/$150, none residents/ child supplement: $470/$220 Single: E. African Residents/ child supplement: $455/$150, none residents/ child supplement: $700/$220 Laundry and wifi are included in the room rate.- Activities at the Lodge
- Village Walks to Bakiga or Batwa communities, $15
- Evening dance performances by a local groups, free
- Buniga forest walk with trained naturalist guides, $15, or $35 with a picnic lunch
- Bird watching, $65
- Photography tours, $40
Supported by
Contact us for more information about Pearls of Uganda
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Location: Buhoma, at the entrance to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This fun, friendly camp is perched on a hillside at the entrance to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s Buhoma’s best value accommodation, and as an added bonus you may even spot a gorilla in the grounds!
Private, covered safari tents connected by paths winding along the hillside all look out onto the densely-forested slopes of the park, and individual balconies offer guests the chance to make the most of these exceptional views.
An open-fronted restaurant doubles up as a bar and common room – a wonderful space to meet fellow travelers, relax with a book or wrap your hands around a hot cup of tea to warm yourself on the chilly mountain evenings.
As the lodge is operated by the local community, you’ll sleep well at night knowing that your stay is contributing to the wellbeing of the surrounding villagers!
Lodge Amenities
- Open-fronted restaurant and bar with common room
- Electricity
- Hot and cold running water
Room Description
Furnished twin and double safari tents stand on platforms overlooking the forest. The tents have mosquito nets, sheets and balconies. En suite and shared bathroom facilities are available, with hot showers and flushing toilets.Available rooms include:
- Eight tents with en suite bathrooms
- Five tents with shared bathrooms
- One dormitory with six beds
Activities At The Lodge
- Buhoma Village Walk: Activities include a performance by the Batwa and visits to a primary school and a traditional healer. 3 hours, $15
- Gorilla Tracking: Bwindi’s unforgettable experience
- Birdwatching: Over 350 species of birds inhabit the Park
Responsible Travel
- All staff are local, and the banana brewing and sale of handicrafts benefit local producers
- The Batwa receive the proceeds from their performances and the community secondary school has been opened with funds from tourism. The Rest Camp also supports a local primary school and funds local nurseries.
- A microfinance “circle” has also been started in the community
Contact
Tel:+256 312 100 060
+256 772 384 965
Email:
buhomacommunity@yahoo.com
Web:
www.buhomacommunity.com
Price
Self-contained banda:- $120 full board for two people
- $72 for a single person
- $96room only (2 people sharing)
- $96 full board for two people
- $60 single person
- $78 room only (2 people sharing)
- $12 per person bed only
- $48 full board
Supported by
Contact us for more information about Pearls of Uganda
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Turaco View Community Camp
Activities at The Camp
- Hiking / Trekking (with UWA)
- Bird Watching
- Demonstrations from traditional healers
- Visit to a local school
- Village walk
- Traditional dance or music performance
- Crafts demonstration
Room Description
- 7 rooms total
- Composting toilet
- Mosquito nets
- Private room
- Private Bathroom
- Sheets
Responsible Travel
- The camp uses no electricity to conserve energy resources
- Generated profits go towards conservation and reforestation projects
- All guides and staff are local; this generates employment
- All goods are purchased/sourced locally
- Locally made handicrafts are sold at the camp and local dance groups are encouraged to preform in order to generate income for the community.
- Camp income has been used for various community projects such as a recent pig-keeping project
- Generated income has also helped develop a microfinance
Contact
Tel: +256 774 379 564
+256 774 379 564
+256 774 851 753+256 774 851 753
Email: maserekabenard@yahoo.co.uk
RwenzoriTuracoView7@gmail.com
Website: rwenzoricamp.com
Price
Accommodation: per person per night/ activity.
- Full board – 35$
- Bed and breakfast – 25$
- Bed only – 15$
Activities:
- Hill climbing with option of sleeping there – 45$
- Forest walk or nature walk – 15$
- Three nights along the Mahoma nature walk in the park – 370$
Contact us for more information about Pearls of Uganda
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Ruboni Community Camp
Location: Bordering Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Stretching along the Congo border, the spectacular Rwenzori Mountains are the third highest range of mountains in Africa, but one of the most dfficult to climb. On clear days their snow-capped peaks loom over the verdant landscapes of the Rift Valley. Ruboni Community Camp is situated in the Rwenzori foothills, beside the peaceful farming village of Ruboni, and offers guests the chance to enjoy the gorgeous mountain views from the comfort of their own rooms, surrounded by colorful tropical gardens.
Self-contained bandas, private rooms and safari tents are available, along with a restaurant and scenic veranda. All staff are from Ruboni, and will be delighted to share with you their in-depth knowledge of the region and of the Bakonzo culture.
This is the ideal retreat for visitors who wish to hike the Rwenzoris, take an early morning birding trek, or explore the village of Ruboni and meet its friendly residents. As all profits are returned to the community, you can see the direct impacts of your stay!
Camp Amenities
- Solar powered lighting
- Restaurant serving typical Ugandan and continental dishes
- Balcony/veranda with mountain views
- Private rooms with mosquito nets
- Small camping area (biger camping available in the village)
- Private bathrooms with options of composting toilets and flash toilets
- Hot overhead showers
- Running water from a spring (bandas only)
- Showers in bandas.
Room Description
Price Per Person based on 2 people sharing (2013- 2014)
- Camping: US$ 5
- Single rooms: US$ 20.00
- Self contained bandas: US$ 25.00
Activities At The Lodge
- Ruboni Village Walk: See a traditional homestead, craft demonstrations and cultural performance
- Hill Climb Walk: Mountain views of Margarita Peak, Africa’s 3rd highest mountain
- Nature Walk: Walk in the forest bordering the UNESCO World Heritage National Park
- Bird Watching: Look for Rwenzori turacos; tiny, iridescent subirds and colorful bee-eaters
- Traditional dance performances: Shown to you by the local youth group and you can join in to show your style
- Three days two nights Mahoma trail inside the park (the Rwenzori) – near the central circuit
Responsible Travel
- Tourism revenue has funded a number of initiatives including a child school sponsorship program and a tree nursery project. Seedlings raised in a nursery are given to local families or planted in the community forest
- Organically grown fruit and vegetables are sourced from the local community
- Income from the sale of crafts is used by the craftswomen to buy goats and pigs, as well as the promotion of a household savings and investment programme
- creation of a community forest reserve in the buffer zone of the park (So far 100 acres of indigenous forest)
Prices:
Accomodation:
- self contained – 25$ B&B
- noneself contained – 20$ B&B
- camping – 5$ bed only
activities:
- Village walk – 15$
- Hill climb walk – 15$
- Forest walk – 15$
- Overnight hill hike – 45$
- mahoma trail tour – 255$ excluding park fees.
Contact
+256-752503445
+256-752503445 / +256-414501866+256-414501866 (office)+256-774195859
+256-774195859felex@pearlsofuganda.org
Supported by
- GeoLodges Equator Snow lodge
Contact us for more information about Pearls of Uganda
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Boomu Women´s Group Bandas
Location: Between Budongo Forest Reserve and Murchison Falls National Park
Boomu Women´s Group has around 40 members from the villages of Kihaguzi and Kigaragara. These subsistence farmers had little produce left over to sell, so in 1999 the women´s group was formed, with the aim of reducing poverty and malnutrition, and providing an income for the members to be able to pay their children´s school fees.
What began as a craft group has evolved into a wonderful community tourism project, with accommodation, a restaurant, unique guided tours and a well-tended garden.
The grass-thatched bandas have been built in traditional Ugandan style for an authentic community experience. They are surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens filled with butterflies and weaver birds. Guests are welcome to relax in the gardens, visit the local community of Kigaragara and explore the craft shop. Ugandan food prepared by local women is served in the restaurant, and in the warm evenings you can relax by the open air bar under the stars.
Lodge Amenities
- Restaurant and open air bar
- Craft shop
- Gardens
Room Description
Boomu has seven twin bandas, one double banda and a building with two triple rooms. All have mosquito nets, electric lights (from a generator) and shared bathroom facilities.Showers are cold water tanks fitted with a shower head, and are outdoors. Jerry cans of hot water can be provided on request.
Toilets are dry eco toilets.
Activities At The Lodge
- Village walks
- Cooking demonstrations
- Basket weaving lessons
- Bird watching in the gardens or nearby Budongo Forest
- Chimp tracking at Budongo Forest Reserve
Responsible Travel
- Boomu has four full-time employees and many part-time staff who benefit directly from tourism. All the money from the community tour and a percentage of the turnover is put into a community fund that finances school books, soap, pencils and porridge for local children attending a nursery created by Boomu.
- Other projects that benefit from this fund are educational projects, local clinics, water access improvements, and agroforestry initiatives. Community members have also been trained in high-quality blanket weaving, which can be sold to local lodges and hotels.
Price:
- Banda per person per night 20,000 USH Bed only (approx $8)
- Camping per person per night 7,000 USH (approx $3)
- Meals 10,000 USH (approx $4)
- Breakfast 7,000 USH (approx $3)
- Community Walk / Cookery Tour / Basket Weaving Demo 15,000 USH (approx $6)
Contact
Tel: +256 772 448 950+256 772 448 950
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Website: www.boomuwomensgroup.org
Supported by
- Budongo Eco Lodge
- Backpackers Murchison Safari Camp
- Nile Safari Lodge
Contact us for more information about Pearls of Uganda
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Sponsors and partners
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