I recently got new neighbours. They are noisy workaholics on a mission to dominate at all costs. With no appreciation for serenity, they run a tight house construction operation 7 days a week. They are weaver birds! In the event that your neighbourhood … Continue reading SPEEDY IN KOTIDO
Sir Samuel Baker remains a familiar name in the Northern part of Uganda. For good or bad reasons, I’ll leave that to you to decide. But on this trip, he was the hero that fought the slave trade at Fort Patiko in Gulu. … Continue reading THE RUINS OF FORT PATIKO
When nature is tucked between a rock and a hard place, water falls. When a silent stream conquers its fear of heights, water falls. And when the rains fall in Pader, Aruu falls let out a mighty roar causing the rocks to tremble … Continue reading SCALING ARUU FALLS
Whistling wind and rushing waters, that’s the sound of a ferry crossing the Indian Ocean from a coastal town to an idyllic island. Being in Dar and not visiting Zanzibar would have left the trip incomplete. So, experience Zanzibar with me: Stone Town … Continue reading TALES FROM STONE TOWN – ZANZIBAR
I am always one for road trips. Near and far, count me in. My longest solo trip being from Kampala to Dar-es-Salaam (Dar) via Nairobi. At the time, Kampala to Nairobi wasn’t new to me as I’d made that journey multiple times. I … Continue reading ROAD TRIPPING TO DAR-ES-SALAAM
There is something remarkably cool about kayakers. With minimal motion, they command the waters and choose the direction of their flow. Like a negotiation with nature in which they have the upper hand. I’ve always wanted to look that cool, so I booked … Continue reading KAYAKING THE NILE RIVER
It was the warm welcome of a floral centerpiece and the big glass windows letting in barrel-loads of light that captured my eye. This visual melody continued with the exposed brick walls, the metallic columns holding steady an iron sheet roof and the … Continue reading THE CABIN OF MY DREAMS
Along the Kampala-Mbarara highway, one of the most tempting roads for drivers with a need for speed, seats Lake Mburo National Park. It is advertised as a whisper in the wild and most certainly lives up to that. With mostly herbivorous land inhabitants, the … Continue reading THE SURPRISE IN MBURO
Looking for a great picnic spot this weekend? You’re in the right place. Sezibwa falls is close to town, easy to locate (google maps) and the entrance fee pocket friendly (Ugx 5000 if I recall correctly). We opted for a self-guided tour, as … Continue reading ESCAPE TO SEZIBWA FALLS
Crossing geographical frontiers of a country as variedly beautiful as Uganda promises an exciting and sometimes contrasting experience. It could be in the terrain, weather, people, food and even road conditions. One such example is the neighbouring districts of Kabarole and Kasese. Although … Continue reading SEMPAYA HOT SPRINGS
The journey versus the destination. What stole the show? How could I tell, for the journey was a destination in itself; at least to me! But, let me break it down for you and maybe you do the picking. There were two journeys … Continue reading OF JOURNEYS AND DESTINATIONS
It was the first of many memorable camps to come. But on that maiden night in the cold, I wouldn’t have guessed so! Lodged in the thick of Kibale Forest, by the shores of one of the many crater lakes in the region, … Continue reading KIBALE FOREST: THE FIRST OF MANY
What makes Islands irresistible holiday destinations? The pristine beaches with palm trees, the unpolluted water, the sunsets, the slow paced life that provides a blissful escape from the hustle of reality? My guess is all these and more! Ssese Island was my last … Continue reading SSESE ISLAND SLUMBER LAND
Moving forward, it will be incredibly hard to make any plans without factoring in the COVID 19 Pandemic. It’s here for a while, so you either get along with it or get lost in it. Travel remains a big part of us. For … Continue reading TRAVEL IN TIMES OF COVID 19
Dubai, the modern-day Atlantis and the epitome of luxury. With its ever-evolving faces, it is a true embodiment of the phrase, “change is permanent and constant”. In Dubai, everything that for long has been words in your conversation became an exquisite reality. Isn’t … Continue reading DUBAI OF WONDER
Like most of my friends, Jinja is my backyard. When the week goes well, you drive to Jinja. When the week ends on an epic low, you drive to Jinja. When the week was ordinary, still, you drive to Jinja. The myriad amusement … Continue reading DISCOVER TALENT ALONG THE NILE
To those as curious about the past as I am, often left behind by present trends, this post is for you! They call Africa the cradle of mankind, the birthplace of modern-day man and other catchy phrases and theories along with that. But … Continue reading CHEERS TO NYERO ROCK PAINTING
Welcome back! In the previous post I already mentioned how much I loved this place. So, with a grip so strong on my heart, it drew me back over the Christmas break, this time with family and they were ecstatic! Given the heavy … Continue reading THE MOUNTAINS OF MY HOME – SISIYI FALLS
When I travel with family to Mbale, I reside in my village, never in the town. However, when I travel for work, staying in town is the convenient choice. But when I travel with friends, nothing beats the camping options. A few years … Continue reading THE MOUNTAINS OF MY HOME – SISIYI CAMP SITE
“Simply travel home for Christmas. The view will be yours every time you step out of the house. Bumanye hill is there to see, but if you turn to the right, then the magnificent Wanale ridge of Mt. Elgon will be a sight … Continue reading THE MOUNTAINS OF MY HOME – BUMANYE HILL
I enjoyed my stay in Zambia. Each day faster than the last and packed with travel, both nearby and hundreds of kilometres away. We had no time to slow down despite the extreme October heat. I took countless litres of water, faithfully wore … Continue reading DOWN ON THE RIVER KAFUE
Livingstone. The nights were sticky, the days were hot. Turns out, this is the secret to getting Elephants on the move. For what seemed like a regular herd of elephants, turned out to be the largest I have seen in my sweet life. … Continue reading THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS – VICTORIA FALLS
Zambia in October wasn’t the plan. The plan was to road trip from Uganda down south via Zambia. It would be the rainy season and the Victoria Falls would flow wildly over the stone walls, plunging hundreds of feet to forcefully hit the rocky bed … Continue reading THE JOURNEY TO VICTORIA FALLS
Food is a great way to experience a new place and a major highlight of any memorable holiday. In Diani, there are lots of opportunities to experience authentic Swahili cuisine. You can do this at local restaurants or in the comfort of your … Continue reading SOMETHING TO EAT – DIANI
Waking up in Diani – what good fortune! Each morning was a reminder of how beautiful life is. Coming from landlocked Uganda, pristine beaches are a thing of fantasy and I was smack in the middle of it. Swimming in the ocean was … Continue reading SOMETHING TO DO – DIANI
If a picture says 1000 words, then seeing the real thing is a chatter box affair. It causes an overwhelming rush of words that come to a sudden halt leaving you speechless! So, when my friends asked me to describe the coastal beauty, … Continue reading SOMETHING TO SEE – DIANI
Take countless holidays. Take long ones, take short ones. Travel far, travel near. Tour the towns and the countryside. Take one long holiday along the East African coast. Take it in Diani! There are countless ways to get to Diani and I chose … Continue reading DIANI RAHA
We need green spaces in Kampala! That’s all I could think of as I decided where to spend my Saturday afternoon. A green place to enjoy the freshness of tropical air and beautiful greenery in town. A safe space where I will not … Continue reading WINDING DOWN IN MUKONO
I originate from Mbale, a district in the far east of Uganda with a bustling town and astute people. The streets are filled with somewhat careless pedestrians trying to outrun the ambitious cyclists and impatient motorists. That’s not surprising as it is the … Continue reading THE MOUNTAINS OF MY HOME – MBALE
For the past months, I have enjoyed the city’s charm. Weekends at home by myself or with family. When I’m by myself its mostly movies/series watching binges, catching up with friends, hosting guests and occasionally sleeping in. Nothing worth mention in the presence … Continue reading KAAZI BEACH RESORT
Getting to Kagulu hill in Buyende district was pretty easy, google maps did it all. It was a smooth drive from Jinja town, my choice of lodging. Before driving to Kagulu, I enjoyed a cup of Kombi Koffee and a rolex to warm up … Continue reading COFFEE MORNINGS AND KAGULU HILL
“You walked four hours looking for a bird? Why!? Why!? Why!?” That’s the usual reaction I get when I share my Shoebill trekking experience. Although I am no bird watcher, it feels good to be ahead of the pack on this one. Shoebill … Continue reading FINDING SHOEBILLS
I knew you would be back. It’s hard to resist a 2.3 tonnes hug from a rhino. And yes, a male can grow that big, let me tell you all about it. Rhinos are still an endangered species not only in Uganda but … Continue reading RHINO TREKKING AT THE SANCTUARY
You know that sign post along the highway that leaves you curious? This was one of them. Although work took me there a few years back, it didn’t count because I never saw a Rhino. So, for as long as I drove past … Continue reading ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY
The richness of Indian’s culture is no mystery to most travellers. It is in the allure of their richly coloured fabric accompanied by over the top make-up to amplify their natural beauty. When we talk exotic cuisines, theirs stands out as my favourite, birthed … Continue reading WHY I MUST RETURN TO INDIA
Istanbul, my tale of an ancient and yet modern city. This bedazzling charmer stretches across Asia and Europe, and effortlessly carries this peculiar cultural blend. As a melting pot of both continents, it promises a memorable cultural experience for any first time visitor. … Continue reading UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN ISTANBUL
As I grow older, the allure of a simple life is one I dare not resist, for it allows me a calm existence in a world so complex and many a times overwhelming. To keep my travels equally simple and relaxed, I follow … Continue reading WHISPERS OF SHANGHAI
Before travelling to a new place, a quick read on popular activities is always a worthwhile deed. It helps paint a realistic picture of what can be achieved within the planned time frame. And because travel is all about maximising opportunities, prior research … Continue reading DASHING THROUGH BEIJING
I remember it clearly, the first print out I got from the internet. As I stared down at these colourful pages packed with adventure, I never imagined walking in those steps myself. You see, when my dad told me about the 7 wonders … Continue reading SIGHTS OF EGYPT
Being Ugandan comes with many perks. My favorite are the infectious happiness and a constant supply of public holidays (those that fall over the weekends are still a trick). With International women’s day falling on a Friday, we had a long weekend on … Continue reading CAMPING CHRONICLES – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Saturday mornings go by really quick. It wasn’t even 10 am and I was done with all the day’s chores. I wanted to do something I hadn’t done in a while. And in a flash, it came to me. Biking! Biking in Mabira … Continue reading FOREST BATHING IN MABIRA FOREST
With each holiday I take, the more I appreciate the importance of managing time efficiently. My experience at Kyaninga Lodge was no different. With only 3 days on my hands and a host of activities to enjoy, there was no slowing down. So … Continue reading TOP TEN ACTIVITIES – KYANINGA LODGE
To thoroughly enjoy Fort Portal, a sleep over for at least a night is unavoidable. Kyaninga Lodge was my choice for accommodation and it was perfect. From the daring positioning of the cottages, to the ever-evolving food choices and not forgetting the thoughtful … Continue reading STAYING AT KYANINGA LODGE
“Uganda, the Heart of Africa” – #stolen I like that description. Its factual and fresh. Factual in terms of geographical location and fresh because its about time we moved on from the colonial “pearl of Africa” tag line…. On this occasion, I travelled to … Continue reading TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO IN FORT PORTAL
Approximately 85.2 km from Kampala, along the Kampala-Kayunga road, stands the magnificent Wildwaters lodge. The name was inspired by its location on an island sandwiched by two magnificent waterfalls; Kalagala and Itanda. Most of the island is untamed forest inhabited by “harmless” snakes … Continue reading TAMING THE WILD WATERS
One of the best parts about heading to Kapchorwa is the eventful journey. From the chaotic traffic jam in Kampala, to the snail-paced traffic jam in Mukono, one suddenly finds themselves cruising through Mabira forest. A welcome contrast! But to enjoy the cruise, one … Continue reading ON THE ROAD TO KAPCHORWA
A few months back, I ventured out and toured the 7 original hills of Kampala. Just to be sure I didn’t leave out any, I started with Muyenga and after that Kibuli hill. Also, they are close to home and that made them pretty … Continue reading BREAKFAST ON HILLTOPS
What started out as an ordinary day took a turn for the better when I drove up Kibuli hill. Seating atop this hill is the Kibuli mosque which offers a panoramic view of Kampala city. My visit started with a courtesy call at … Continue reading LOUNGING AT KIBULI MOSQUE
“May I please have a cup of coffee?” or “Would you like a cup of coffee?” Coffee; the lesser appreciated hot beverage in Uganda. Tea; my least favourite hot beverage since I discovered Ugandan coffee. Most of us in Uganda are raised taking … Continue reading COFFEE TOUR IN KAPCHORWA
SIPI FALLS: If I were a bird, I’d sing my favorite song each time I flew past that spot. It was a tropical paradise meets Utopia, but again, in Uganda we are kinda used to this level of awesome! Check out the video! … Continue reading ADVENTURE AT SIPI FALLS
On my first trip to Kapchorwa, I visited two of the three major falls. The two, being the smaller of the falls. To get to the first fall, we enjoyed a simple short walk that took us across a well-maintained wooden bridge and … Continue reading ABSEILING AT SIPI FALLS
Kiprotich, Kipsiro……what do they have in common? They are all world champion long-distance runners originating from the same geographical location in Uganda – Kapchorwa. Wondering what the secret is? Well, for the most part, growing up at an altitude of 1800m above sea … Continue reading CAMPING AT SIPI FALLS
What started out as a chase for the eclipse, ended in a stunning sunset like no other. In case you missed it, the blood moon/total lunar eclipse was the talk of town last weekend. The blood moon was the longest lunar eclipse of … Continue reading CHASING THE BLOOD MOON
Like many of you, I have marvelled at the huge green dome of this temple from afar. And yet, each time people asked what they could do over the weekend I gleefully suggested, “you must visit the Bahai Temple, its spectcular”. What they … Continue reading A MORNING VISIT TO THE BAHAI TEMPLE
Of the seven original hills of Kampala, this was the fairest of them all. And all credit goes to the Gaddafi mosque. The tour starts at the main gate where the tourism office is located. Here, payments are made and a tour guide … Continue reading GADDAFI MOSQUE
I was born at Mengo hospital and spent the first year of my life in Mengo and Old Kampala where my parents resided. It was close to Namirembe Cathedral, and for that reason, my older siblings enjoyed evening walks in the Cathedral gardens. … Continue reading NAMIREMBE CATHEDRAL UNVEILED
So, you find yourself in Kampala and have 24 hours or more before moving on to your next destination. Or maybe, you have guests in town and are wondering how to keep them entertained. Better still, you live in Kampala and have an … Continue reading 24 HOURS IN KAMPALA – PART II
When I travel to a new city, museums are always among my top places of interest. Lucky for me, I found a pretty well stuffed one in Arusha. The National Natural History Museum is located at the Boma (former German fort from the … Continue reading ANIMAL POTRAITS
When words like slow and sleepy are repeatedly used to describe a place, you might start to believe it. That was almost the case with Arusha. But as we approached the town, and the magnificent Mt. Meru came into sight, all that changed. My … Continue reading UP AND ABOUT IN ARUSHA
The mere mention of it sends my mind on a dreamy whirlwind journey back in time. It was the single most mesmerising sight I have beheld. I have not yet fully fathomed the extent of its existence and beauty. They say the human … Continue reading NGORONGORO CRATER
Whoever said chasing after waterfalls was wrong had it all wrong! I chased after Kilasiya waterfalls and they were magnificent. And although they were a detour from the main adventure which was seeing Mt. Kilimanjaro, they are an adventure in their own right. … Continue reading CHASING WATERFALLS
Mt. Kilimanjaro, I finally saw this snow-capped beauty and she was gorgeous. It was a beautiful sunny day and my second attempt to get an up-close view of this now elusive mountain. This time, we approached it via the Marangu entrance which is … Continue reading KILIMANJARO FOUND ME!
Standing tall as the highest mountain in Africa, you would think Kilimanjaro is used to all the attention she gets. She is the world’s highest free-standing mountain, was declared a National Park in 1973, was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in … Continue reading CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MT. KILIMANJARO
We finally got to Kigali at around 10pm and enjoyed a sumptuous meal prepared by our hosts. While the rest of the crew stayed up watching movies and chatting, I headed to bed. That came as a surprise to all especially myself considering … Continue reading HIGHLIGHTS OF KIGALI
One of the truest tests of friendship is taking a long road trip and coming out alive. Its more than being stuck in a car for close to 12 hours. It is about agreeing or failing to agree on the music and the … Continue reading ROLLING TO KIGALI
Inspiration lies all around us. We can choose to embrace it or completely ignore it. My inspiration last week lay in the waving trees, chirping birds, temperamental skies, still waters and rolling hills of Kabale. It is from this South-Western district of Uganda … Continue reading WORK JOURNAL: KABALE
“The best time to travel is now”. Curiosity got me on the road again and took me eastward to Port Elizabeth. The best part of this journey is that it takes you along the famed Garden route. The garden route is along the … Continue reading ON THE ROAD TO PORT ELIZABETH
Cape Town is more than Table Mountain. It’s the little secrets that reveal themselves through the flowers of spring, street art, a random bar or even the African penguins (yes, we have them). You never know where or when the next surprise is … Continue reading CAPE OF WONDER: BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN
If u asked me to describe Cape town in one word, I would say magical. I lived there last year as a student and school was pretty hectic, but once all the hectic stuff was done, I put on my explorer cape and … Continue reading CAPE OF WONDER: TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS IN CAPE TOWN
So, you have guests in town and are wondering where to take them. Or maybe, you just want to try something different. It could be a weekday or the weekend, and travelling out of town is off the table. Well, this is your … Continue reading 24 HOURS IN KAMPALA – PART I
Planning is a smart way to make the most of any holiday or activity. Spontaneity, on the other hand, is a great way to enjoy it. And that’s because; you always land on the most unexpected things that might turn out to be major highlights. … Continue reading SPONTANEITY AS THE PLAN
In my side of the world, when you mention Argentina, we all think of Diego Maradona and his unforgettable goal at the 1986 World Cup. More recently, we think Pope Francis. But being the curious person that I am, I wanted to develop … Continue reading WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT BUENOS AIRES
Jinja, famed for extreme water activities along the Nile, has been labelled the tourism capital of Uganda. Loaded with a host of activities both on land and water, it’s a must visit town for anyone in Uganda. So far, I have done only … Continue reading WHITE WATER RAFTING ON THE NILE
After a year away from home, camping sounded like a great way to reconnect and catch up with friends. Although we have gone on road trips before, this was our first camping experience together and we were super excited about it: probably too … Continue reading CAMPING IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Lesotho, sometimes referred to as “the kingdom in the sky”, is a landlocked Southern African country completely surrounded by South Africa. It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation. This attribute makes it one … Continue reading A DAY IN LESOTHO
For a while now, I have been intrigued by the Kingdom of Swaziland. It is one of the last absolute monarchs in the world and has retained many aspects of its original customs and traditions. I always dreamed of visiting it and experiencing … Continue reading THINGS TO DO SWAZILAND
