Page 29 - Jan-March 2025

Accommodation Feature

double-decker pleasure boats crammed with tourists)
to see the fabulous Murchison Falls explode through a
gap in the rift valley cliffs. From the inordinate number
of selfies taken, I concluded that my companion was
happy. And thus, for the time being, so was I.
Anyadwe House is hired by the night so to get full
value for money, it’s best, as we did, to fill it with a party
place cool, along with fridge-freezers that ensure that of four couples. Plan for three nights to get a decent
the cold drink of your choice is always available. In this balance of park activities and down-time.
latter respect, let moderation be your watchword if you
will be getting up at 6am for a game drive. Come the Located immediately outside MFNP’s Mubako Gate
dawn, and having ignored this advice, my companion (park fees apply when entering the park for game
was not at her sunniest as we drove across the Nile drives and boat trips), Anyadwe House is 6 hours’
on a large bridge. Our driver explained to her that drive from Kampala via Hoima and, except for the
things could be worse, and had Chinese engineers last 6km, is tarmac all the way! Rates are full board
not recently built the bridge, she would be standing and include beer and selected wines. If it becomes
impatiently on the south bank queuing to cross the suddenly necessary for your companion to return
river on a diesel-belching vehicle ferry. Shuddering urgently to Kampala, Link Bus departs twice-daily from
at this prospect, I mentally added Paraa Bridge to the Bulisa, 25km away. Winnie will call a boda (Ush20k) to
list of wonderful things China has given the world, like take her there.
fireworks and noodles.
We were in luck on our game drive. After spotting
giraffe, buffalo, and a host of antelopes my companion,
momentarily and inexplicably distracted from her
phone, cried ‘Look, a tiger!’ Sure enough, a lithe feline
form was running elegantly down the trunk of a tree,
its beautiful, spotted coat shining in the morning sun.
Just as quickly, it vanished as the animal merged into
the tall grass. Excited by her sighting, my companion
sought to tick off her cat on the wildlife checklist
kindly provided by Anyadwe House, a futile task
that occupied her to the banks of the Nile at Hippo
Point where a herd of watering elephants provided a
memorable backdrop to coffee and breakfast bitings.
Thus revived, we now took to the water, boarding a
swift 8-seater boat that returned us upriver to Anyadwe
via an expanse of swamp where we were privileged
to sight the rare Shoebill. Our boatman explained that
this is known as the Holy Grail of Birdwatching and
that people come all the way from the USA to see
it. Though I was impressed myself by this strikingly
bizarre creature, my companion muttered that coming
from Kampala to see a bird was more than far enough
and that she was tired and bored.
Back at Anyadwe, and exhausted by her excursion,
my paramour was further disappointed to find that
there is no massage with hot stones at Anyadwe,
particularly since every companion in an Eye review
has enjoyed one since 1998. She sulked until Winnie,
by now alert to her fluctuating moods, produced a
glass of chilled rose. This, and a couple of refills, got For reservations or further information, please contact:
us through a three-course lunch to another mandatory Anyadwe House
activity. From our private jetty, our 8-seat craft cruised +256 709 294 800 reservations@anyadwehouse.com
past hippos, crocodiles and elephants (as well as anyadwehouse.com | @anyadwehouse (f i)

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