Page 18 - July - Sept 2022 Edition

THE COFFEE LODGE

Article by The Eye Magazine
Photographs courtesy of Dr. Ian Clarke

The Coffee Lodge on Clarke Farm and Coffee
Estate is the latest addition to tourism in Uganda, introducing the experience of visiting
a working farm and coffee estate. The lodge
itself sits atop a hill, with stunning 360 degree
views over the property. The lodge is surrounded
by a large rock garden with paths running
throughout, bringing you to shady nooks in which
to sit, relax and enjoy the views. For those who would like some extra exercise there are
600 steps leading from the top to the bottom of the hill.

The food served is fresh Ugandan cuisine from the farms supplies of eggs, matoke,
oranges, maize flour, chicken, potatoes, vegetables and herbs from the lodge”s kitchen
garden. And of course their own coffee.
Clarke Farm occupies an area of 1,500 acres with many trails throughout. There are walks
in the eucalyptus and natural forests; one can visit the orange and mango groves, walk
along the shaded river path to the small rapids in a completely different ecosystem,
wander through the coffee and see how macadamia nuts grow.
During the coffee season one can join the coffee pickers in hand-picking the ripe red
cherries which go into making fine quality coffee. In the evenings one can visit the wet
processing plant and see how coffee is processed from removing the pulp (the fleshy
coat) washing off the mucilage (the sticky substance around the bean), drying, storage,
then hulling and grading into green bean, ready for roasting. If the coffee is being tested
in the coffee lab one can also join in learning how to cup, the freshly roasted coffee and
purchase a sample of one of Uganda”s finest coffees.

The Coffee Lodge is located one hour from Fort Portal in Kyenjojo District, 30 kilometres
from Rugombe village on the main Kampala to Fort Portal highway. It is easily accessible
and is a convenient stopover for those travelling from Kampala or Masindi to Fort Portal.
Seeing a working farm and coffee estate provides a glimpse of another facet of life in
Uganda, and you will not be disappointed.

Prices start at $140 per night bed and breakfast for a couple sharing, and conducted farm
tours are $20 per person.

Kyenjojo, Uganda. +256 392 201400. booking@clarke-farm.com. www.clarke-farm.com
Booking.com: The Coffee Lodge at Clarke Farm

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