Ailsa’s Visit to Lemala Wildwaters in Uganda

Lemala Wildwaters, Uganda  

Piki piki adventures, go ahead - jump & there’s nothing ‘fowl’ about my Guinea..

After a relaxing and refreshing night at Hemmingways in Nairobi, it was a short 1 hour flight from Nairobi to Entebbe. I was met by my guide from Speke Uganda Holidays, our DMC partners in Uganda and Rwanda…

A quick, but valuable catch up with Tony and his fabulous team at Speke head office Kampala, and it was onwards to Wildwaters. On paper the journey is around 2.5 hours, but ‘life’ in Kampala and the surrounds has an energy that makes you feel as if you have been thrown into the opening scene of a blockbuster movie. Peak traffic combined with true rural roads and pot holes that would make any mechanic weep and axel manufacturers jump for joy, meant it took longer. But the company of my guide, the ever smiling and waving children on the roadside and a stop to buy the best and most bananary tasting bananas in all of banana land meant it was all part of the complete Uganda experience and I was loving it!

First impressions of Lemala Wildwaters?

The road became truly rural and I caught a teasing glimpse of the river as we approached the gate to access the crossing, but nothing prepared me for my first full view. Lemala Wildwaters truly does sit small and firm slap bang in the middle of the Nile, with rapids rolling and barrelling all around it. Two of the team were ready with the island’s traditional style boat, complete with powerful engine and lifejackets. They manoevered the boat with skill and ease, knowing exactly the perfect path of calm water to navigate and glide me and my luggage, the 3 minute crossing to the lodge!

What did you think of the lodge?

Easy, this could be summarised in a bumper sticker ‘I love Wildwaters’.

From the winding network of raised platform paths that snake around the island North to South, East to West (Wildwaters is actually divided by a stream and inlets of water from the surrounding river) to the way each space is designed to maximise the drama of it’s location.

The main area captures views from every angle of the rushing water and rapids. The pool’s edge almost connects the river and lodge – it’s no wonder this lodge is a regular feature in ‘most instagrammable’ places.

The food was out of this world, the menu extensive. Robert, the GM and his team quickly became our friends and happy hosts.

The rooms offer an air conditioned cocoon with a personal choice of river calming noise cancelling doors ‘open or closed’ – for me it was open, all the way – who doesn’t love the sound of the Nile River sweeping past, whilst you drift to sleep in cool, crisp freshly laundered bedsheets… take me back !

Top Tips? 

1)    Book a spa treatment – I guarantee there are few massage bed locations in the world to beat this one!

2)    If you can, stretch the budget a little further for one of the two rooms that has a private plunge pool (as well as the outdoor bath that all rooms have). It has to be the ultimate ‘look at me’ selfie and one to frame when you are home. These rooms also offer in room dining as an additional benefit… honeymooners and romantics rejoice.

3)    Take a trip to the ‘source of the Nile’ – a physical location (a platform actually in the middle of the river) a short drive and then boat trip away.

4)    Go rafting … the ‘family’ raft is the easiest and still gives the thrills.

Who do you think Wildwaters is best suited to?

Honeymooners, couples and friends wanting to retreat – due to the nature and location, Wildwaters is suitable for adults or older teenagers only.

What was a highlight?

Visiting the numerous community projects that Lemala Wildwaters supports – we took Piki Piki bikes or Boda Bodas. If you imagine a cross between a hell’s angel gang and an outing from an old people’s home you will have a close mental image of how we ventured out that day, riding pillion with our local guides. It was captivating and humbling to learn about the small-scale coffee farmers, pineapple plantation, vanilla pod growers, basket weaving grandmother and other community initiatives that Lemala can support thanks to guests. Lemala has provided power to the entire local village and the community committee gathered to thank us. For me William, the potter had incredible talent and consequently I am the proud owner of two pottery guinea fowl adorning my windowsill at home!

Anything that surprised you?

Jump ! Across the river from Wildwaters at ‘Adrift’ is Uganda’s highest bungee… it’s a piece of cake, safety briefing and serious checks take 30 minutes, then a quick skip up the 6 stories, harness checked again, 3, 2, 1 ‘plop’… I jumped. If you have read and followed this far, you don’t know me that well and I love you for having belief in me, but not… a …. chance.

I did watch a colleague make the brave leap and I offered up suitably loud words of encouragement and congratulations. Wish I was that brave, or agile.