From the scenic view of Lake Victoria, beautiful green gardens to honeymoon cottages and boat rides, Country Lake Resort, Garuga is a perfect getaway. Before you opt for a holiday destination abroad, look at Country Lake Resort-Garuga. It may be just what you were looking for the perfect holiday.
Often times, when people want to go away for a holiday or vacation, they think of destinations out of Uganda, which is all well and good. However, there are a number of local destinations worth trying around the country and they will surely make a memorable get-away experience.
Country Lake resort-Garuga is one of those places. It boasts of good hospitality, but most especially its natural green. It is a walk into and through a mini jungle of various floras. The neat constructed pathways that lead you to this eye-catching expanse are artistically marked by well-trimmed flowers and green as well as palm trees that run along the footpaths.
And the beauty extends to the spacious and well-combed gardens in which statues stand both in concrete and metal, beautiful fabrications that depict nature in still form- of gorillas, crested cranes, man et cetera.
This hideaway of sorts is located approximately 25km in Garuga from Kampala. There is a 6.5km stretch off the Kampala-Entebbe highway and there is an imposing signpost that directs you to branch off and more signposts to lead you to the place.
If you’re using public means from Kampala, you can use a taxi going to Entebbe from the old taxi park and ask to get off at Kitala stage and then get onto a boda boda to the resort.
Alternatively you can board a taxi from Kampala to Gerenge Landing site and ask to be dropped off at Bulega Trading Centre. There are signposts which lead you to the resort which is 400m from this trading centre.
It is a bumpy ride on the murram from the main road and sometimes dusty especially during the dry season. But it is worth the effort. The resort offers a get-away from nagging road users, hooting cars and generally the hustle and bustle of busy towns and cities.
What makes it even more beautiful is that it is located on the shores of Lake Victoria. At sunset, residents who wish to fish go out to the fisherman’s rock that has a barrier to ensure the careless or little ones don’t end up in the water against their will.
Those who wish to go boat riding can do so at the beach side aptly marked. There is actually a path that leads into the shallower end of Africa’s largest fresh water body.
Lake Victoria’s serenity is more pronounced at night, providing a favorable environment for you to enjoy your drink, muchomo or tea or coffee as you chat with friends or simply relax.
If you prefer a warm evening by the lake then bonfires are lit on request at twilight. Otherwise a loud night out is on offering especially for those on a corporate retreat who might want to shake their bones.
There is also a disco that goes on into the wee hours of the night without necessarily inconveniencing other residents who might prefer a more quiet night.
If you choose to make your get-away a family affair, then the little ones won’t be left out.
There is a children’s play area to keep their adrenaline rushing. For the sports lover or for team building, volleyball and photo shoots will save the day respectively. Otherwise bird watching and taking forest walks can be equally interesting.
Honeymooners are catered for with themed cottages to make their stay worthwhile. They are fully furnished and detached.
On the whole most cottages are self-contained though differently priced depending on amenities and how long one would like to stay. “We do offer 10 per cent discount for those who intend to stay for at least three days and for those who intend to stay for at least five days we offer 20 per cent discount,” Angella Aluoch, Country Lake Resort’s Operations Manager says.
A number of the cottages will allow you to wake up to the beauty of the peaceful lake and an eagle’s view from the resort’s pier. Management can organize for an early morning warm-up session that starts with jogging at around 6a.m. There is a swimming pool too.
There is a good amount of lounging space at Country Lake resort with an ambience suited for recreation and piped music softy filters through at different points of the thatched shelters. it might not matter that you earn less than your dream salary. It is all about pre-planning and setting priorities where you can allow yourself time off and make it worthwhile, say for your annual leave. Go out and explore.