Entebbe. To most Kampalans the word conjures up images of, well, the airport. Whether you are a Kampala native, long-term resident or short-term visitor, Entebbe is usually little more to you than Kampala’s most remote and sleepy suburb where there is little to do except pass through on the way in or out of the country.
All that is changing now with the influx of the UN missions based there as well as a upsurge in new buildings and things to do. All told, Entebbe seems to be breaking out of Kampala’s shadow into a life of its own.
With this comes the timely arrival of Karibu Guest House on Nsamizi Hill overlooking the Lake Victoria. Having just opened in May 2012, Karibu provides a welcome addition to the limited, affordable boutique accommodation options in Entebbe.
The New Zealand and French owners have thoughtfully renovated a large house to include four self-contained rooms – each of which is decorated in the coloured theme the name suggests: Bordeaux, Café, Avocado and Mandarin. The rooms are complete with mosquito nets, and large, comfortable double or single beds. All of the rooms have large windows so can be exceptionally bright in mornings. The rates are extremely affordable being $110 USD for a double ($55 per person) or $85 for a single. Breakfast, wi-fi, and airport transfers are included with the cost.
Perhaps more exciting is Karibu’s contribution to the expansion of culinary opportunities in Entebbe. Residents, or frequent visitors, will be happy to know that they now have another dining option. Reservations are required as the kitchen mainly caters to guests but if there is an opening patrons are sure not to be disappointed. Dinner is a set menu of five courses: appetizer, soup or salad, main, dessert, and coffee or tea. One recent evening, this was: olive, garlic and oregano tapenade on homemade bread drizzled with olive oil, a hearty and flavourful creamy tomato soup, creamy paprika chicken and side vegetables of carrots, green beans and grilled tomatoes, and dessert was fried bananas drizzled with chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream. Dinner is set at $20 USD per person, or the equivalent in UGX.
Even if not having dinner the veranda provides a comfortable and quiet venue to have a sundowner while looking out over the sizeable garden and lake in the distance. With such proximity to the lake, bird fans will be delighted that a number of feathered friends frequent the mature trees and flowers in the garden – especially in the early morning hours. The compound is shared with two wonderfully friendly dogs so if you have allergies or fears do inform the owners when you make a reservation.
For more information on Karibu please visit their website at: www.karibuguesthouse.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Karibuentebbe. You can also reviews of Karibu on TripAdvisor at: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298044-d3178768-Reviews-Karibu_Guest_House-Entebbe.html
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