Many a time people who do not travel tend not to understand people like us who suffer from wanderlust- that strong and insatiable desire to travel.
Well, sometimes, we too don’t understand ourselves, but at least one thing we know, or at least I know, nothing beats that feeling of discovering something or a new place and then the immediate subsequent desire to tell the discovery to the world.
And as that desire is waning, another desire sets in to travel somewhere else rises, like a fresh wave- and that is how we ended up at Mutuumo Island Resort.
As the name suggests, the resort is located on Mutuumo Island Resort in the middle of Lake Nyabihoko – it occupies the entire tiny island. Lake Nyabihoko is located in Kajara, Ntungamo district in western Uganda.
On a sunny Friday midmorning when we made our way there, everything was fine, excitement was in the air, and you could hear the reggae music cascading from the island to the Keina shoreline where the boat taxi that is on-call from the island docks.
Nestled between hills, the lake is usually calm, guaranteeing a peaceful ride to the island which is approximately 100 metres away from the shoreline.
The shore on this particular day was quiet. Save for an abandoned construction site acting as a shade, an open-air parking space with a full-time guard who will take your details. On the extreme right are fish stalls standing firm before a troop of faded-blue painted canoes. I am told the fish market is always active in the morning as the locals come to trade in fish from the lake.
As you stand waiting for the boat, you can clearly see the island, beckoning. A five-minute ride is all it takes to get you there. So for those with water phobia- it is no biggie. The island is as good as it looks across the shore, with great ambience or like in today’s street speak, “it has the vibe” with constant music filling the airwaves.
There are ample grey-painted pallet seats in sets of four strewn across the sitting area covering approximately half an acre. There are warnings against swimming planted all over the island- in every corner. The manager tells us that so many rocks beneath the surface make it hard to guarantee the safety of swimmers. Some can be seen popping out of the water. The island is littered with heavy rocks that seem to have been in the same position for the last forever.
On the upper wing is a makeshift stage used whenever they host concerts, which I am told is very popular. The locals love it here as they can party till morning. The resort has hosted quite several popular artists from the western region especially.
Across are four cottages restricted only to residents and in between is a well-stocked bar carved out of wood which is the engine of life on the island.
The wooden self-contained cottages are dispersed from each other with a double set.
There is ample space that can take up to 60 campers, but they have to carry their gear. On the whole, the resort is ideal for a budget team or group getaway.
Islands like Mutuumo are never short of legends and myths. Legend has it that centuries ago a wealthy Muhima called Mutuumo from the Bahima cattle keepers of Western Uganda, had a calf born to his herd of multiple colours. He was then warned by the gods never to eat the special cow under any circumstances, as it was sacred. One day, when Mutuumo had travelled on trade mission, the special cow died and the servants ignored the strong warnings not to eat the sacred cow and feasted on it. Mutuumo also is said to have had a secret son, born from one of the household maids, who lived among the servants who also participated in the feast, breaking the family oath Mutuumo had made to the gods.
As a punishment, the gods sent non-stop rain for twenty-eight days causing floods that turned the family farm and surrounding area into the modern-day Lake Nyabihoko which covers approximately 2.31 sq miles. While Mutuumo survived, his wife daughter and servants did not nor did any of his wealth as well as herd.
His illegitimate son, is said to have been spared. A broken Mutuumo, stripped of his wealth and much of his family, approached his old and rich friend Mwamba and took the job of keeping Mwamba’s calves to support himself. It is said that Mutuumo later committed suicide by drowning in the lake, to escape his earthly misery.
A few years ago, when the island was still under the hands of the Anglican Church, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, at the request of the church, offered four hippos to be residents in the lake as it would add to the lake’s tourism potential. Unfortunately, three of the four passed away. The lone hippo that lives on to date only shows face in the night.
However, a one Arnold has learnt to ‘speak’ to the hippo in its language. He rides the boat closer to the swamp where it is known to sleep and; using a glass soda bottle, he dips it into the lake making certain sounds that wake it up apparently.
Using his engine boat, he then rides towards it forcing it to run towards the island where the tourists can see it.
I must say, this adventure is not for the faint at heart. Before Arnold goes off to find the hippo, he docks at a smaller island astride Mutuumo where the tourists dock off as he goes to pursue the hippo. The reason it is called adventure is that the only best way you can tell such an experience is when you set foot there yourself. There is no other way to tell it.
The day my colleagues and I were there, we did not see the hippo, our emotions came into play and we revised our thoughts. You could tell, Arnold was not happy with us.
For bird lovers, there is plenty of birds to see. Carry your own equipment such as binoculars for a better experience. The nearby bills can also make great hiking experience with lots of amazing views of the surrounding areas as well as at the island itself. A breathe of fresh air greets you atop the hills as well as you take in the vistas- an ideal location for a BBQ.
On the day we were there, the chef outdid himself on fish and Ugali (posho) as well as pork ribs, which we washed down with some cocktails of Uganda Waragi and Guinness Smooth.
Gentle on the pocket and extreme on seclusion and privacy- an ideal location to get lost. And worry not, there is quite a good internet connection, so you can get lost but still have sight of the world.
If you like to get away in far-flung spaces surrounded by nature and tranquillity, and on budget, Mutuumo Island Resort may be the place for you. There is however limited accommodation but with spacious gardens that can take up to 60 campers. Plenty of birds and scenic village hikes. Ntungamo being a gateway to the tourism-rich South Western Uganda, makes Mutuumo a value-adding addition to your adventure.
To arrange customised staycations and or an adventure/holiday to any part of Uganda or East Africa, reach out to Executive Destinations and Experiences Limited (EDXTravel) today.
Contacts:
Phone: +256 751 395 326/ +256 775 716 808
Email: theexectraveler@gmail.com
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