Farm stays are steadily becoming yet another addition to Uganda’s hospitality sector, previously dominated by urban hotels and far-flung resorts often built in and around major tourist attractions such as national parks, lakes and rivers.
For road trip freaks and those that believe in “the further the destination, the sweeter the adventure” most farm stays by their very nature, are out of town and therefore deliver on the prolonged enjoyments, but better still, deliver on exclusivity and privacy since most of them are tucked away in secluded places and not too large to accommodate lots of people.
One such place and the latest kid on the block is Coffee Lodge.
Conspicuously perched atop a hill, near Kyarusozi, in Kyenjojo District- just about 45 minutes from the main Kampala Fort Portal highway by road, Coffee Lodge, as the name suggests, is located in the middle of Clarke Farm and Coffee Estate.
Other than being located in close proximity to the Tooro tourism-rich region famous for attractions like Kibale Forest National Park, several crater lakes and the Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru, the there are lots of activities on and around the 1,500-acre coffee farm.
There are four rooms available, two double and two twins, served by the main kitchen, while the container house is self-contained with a main double bedroom, kitchen and couches for two guests. It accommodates four people. All rooms have the use of the main lounge, bar and dining areas. Altogether, Coffee Lodge can presently accommodate 12 people.
According to the owner, Dr Ian Clarke, the lodge will be run as a hotel, at some point but for now, it is being rented out on a self-catering basis, through Airbnb for a limited period around Christmas.
Click here to check availability and make bookings: https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/53869767?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=bc94ad2a-5107-47e6-88a9-0bafda5cf521
How Stanbic Bank CFO Ronald Makata Blends Governance, Technology and Human Leadership to Drive PerformanceEach room goes for USD100 (i.e. USD50 per person) while the container house which sleeps 4 people goes for USD120.
The lodge is eco-friendly and is completely run on solar for electricity and water heating. Solar pumps also pump water from a stream below to the feeder tank and water for drinking is purified using clay filters. The buildings have been constructed using local materials – eucalyptus poles and timber, Kyaninga stone, and locally made bricks. They are built on raised platforms to preserve the contours of the hill.
Other than picturespue views and privacy, Coffee Lodge is so much more. It is proximally located in the tourism rich Tooro Kingdom, although there lots of activities on and around the 1,500-acre coffee farm itself. The facility is eco-friendly and built with local materials. PHOTOS/Courtesy
The hill, has also been developed into probably the largest rock garden in Uganda, with over 600 steps to the bottom- a great exercise opportunity, if you ask me, especially for those who love to keep maintain their exercise routive or for team building excursions.
The vantage location especially from the container house, creates spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. The fresh air, up here is therapeutic.
In arrangement with the lodge, lots of activities can be arranged such as a river walk, eucalyptus trail, forest walk, and bouldering (rock climbing). A jeep ride and guided tour of the coffee farm can also be arranged at an extra cost, and guests are free to explore the farm for themselves as well.
According to Dr Clarke, the Coffee Lodge “aims to publicise Uganda’s place in coffee farming and shall showcase exceptionally beautiful coffee estate.”
