VISIT NABINOONYA: AN AFFORDABLE RESORT




Part of the beach detailing boating facilities

  


The Bandas, some of the accomodation facilities available

  

The disclaimer by the beach

 Set on the shores of Lake Victoria at Kasubi, Nabinoonya Camping Resort is the ideal retreat for bird watching and nature walks. The scenic beauty is breathtaking. The expansive grounds house a park, with Mvule, Eucalyptus and Pine, among other tree species. This used to be a tropical forest, so the plant varieties are almost limitless. There are also lots of monkeys and bushbuck here.

Mr. James Zake, the Assistant Manager at the resort is a soft-spoken, courteous and down-to-earth dotting host. The entry fee is Ug. Shs. 1000. Other activities are boating, kayaking, swimming, camping and fishing. There is also a conference facility for up to thirty people. Only experts are allowed to go kayaking.

This goes for Ug. Shs. 5000, for whatever amount of time the visitor chooses (within the day, of course). Swimming is at the visitor’s own risk, as an all too visible sign near the water’s edge screams out. Mr. Zake says this is because there are no lifeguards and they are not willing to take any responsibility for any mishaps.

Even then, he says the water around the edge is shallow and safe for swimming – but that visitors should not venture too far. Some people, undeterred by all this, were happily swimming and playing in the water. There are also hippopotamuses here, but these come out only at night.

A boat ride costs Ug. Shs. 1000 per ride to a bank a short distance away from the water’s edge and lasts about fifteen minutes. This facility is not operational at the moment, though, as their engines have recently been stolen.

There are five Bandas (little round hut-like structures) for camping. Each sleeps four. Of these, there is one self-contained unit and thirteen singles. It costs Ug. Shs. 5000 per person per night – 11 PM to 11 AM the following morning.

The canteen serves mainly snacks and drinks. They also serve fish and chips, made to order. It is from this canteen that the camp provides music from loud speakers during evenings, to revellers. Business hours are from 8 AM till late. The types of visitors ranges from family (who are the marjority) and student groups to seminar and prayer retreat groups.

The camp started in 1947 as a retreat for the Catholic Brothers of Christian Instruction. It was turned into a picnic site eight years ago and has since progressively developed. Future plans include a children’s park and a conference hall with a larger capacity.

So, if you are looking for a time of reflection away from family and friends; or you are a visitor who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the place to be.

The camp is fifteen miles off the Kampala-Entebbe highway. From the taxi park at Kampala, the fare is Ug. Shs. 1000. There is usually a traffic jam on this highway during peak hours (early mornings and late evenings during weekdays and almost all day Saturday). So, it would be wise to start out early.

From the highway to the resort is a murram road two kilometers long. A Boda boda (motorbike) down this road costs Ug. Shs. 1000, one way. A private hire taxi from Kampala to the resort is negotiable, but would be in the region of Ug. Shs. 20,000, one way.

Alternatively, you could rent a car. Hertz rent their cars out from between $68 and $150 per day per one hundred and fifty kilometers. Fuel is excluded. For any more information, contact The Uganda Tourist Board on + 256 414 342 197.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 

• TRAVELITE was last at Nabinoonya in 1999. Naturally prices have changed dramatically since then. Please double any shilling amounts in this article until TRAVELITE is able to visit Nabinoonya again for any updates.
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• Currently one Dollar is equivalent to Ug. Shs. 2,800.
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• TRAVELITE will furnish readers with relevant photoes shortly. We are sorry for any inconveniences.