Jacana Lodge - QENP

Over the weekend Danny and I stayed at a lodge we hadn’t visited before – Jacana Lodge.
http://www.geolodgesafrica.com/jacana_safari_lodge.htm

I inquired by email if there was a discount rate for residents and was pleased to learn there was. (so volunteers should always ask!)

Jacana is located inside Queen Elizabeth National Park and is on a crater lake in the Rift Valley. The lodge is in the forest and is located about 11km from the main road on a dirt track which is in good condition. The design and décor of this lodge is incredibly well done and full of character. There is a swimming pool next to the lake, many comfortable seating areas for lounging or taking meals, and a large fireplace in one of the seating areas, all of which overlook the lake.

The lodge has 10 self-contained wooden chalets and one family cottage. The rooms are fabulous – spacious, comfortable, tastefully designed, and the many windows are screened and has a seating area overlooking the lake. Hot water is available at all times as the water is heated by wood fire. There is a generator for electricity and is switched on between 6.30 am (5.30 am if a guest is leaving early on a game drive/walk) until about 8am, and in the evening from 6.30 to 10.30. Conveniences in the room include a torch/flashlight, candles, bottled water, a large umbrella, and a can of Doom. I am sure the Doom is mainly for bees which can get into the room as I did not notice any mosquitoes at all even though it was rainy during our visit.

Service was impeccable and the staff were very friendly and obviously well-trained.  Meals were delicious, creative and visually appealing! Breakfast was a buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, juice, cereals. Eggs and sausage were made to order. Pastries were not typically Ugandan (in other words they were good!) and the bread was homemade. Lunch was a full 3-course meal. Our first lunch began with a starter of avocado, mango, diced carrots and pineapple, onions, lettuce, nuts with a sauce (scrumptious). The main course (we had a choice of 3) was a generous portion of tender medallions of fillet beef, potatoes and vegetable. Dessert was a bowl of fresh fruit. Dinner that evening was equally impressive as were lunch and dinner the following day.

We took a one-hour pontoon trip in the lake which was very relaxing. We spotted a few red tailed monkeys, various birds, the Rwenzori Mountains. The lodge provides tandem ocean kayaks but we did not avail ourselves of one. The lake has hippos in certain areas, no crocodiles and only very small fish. We could hear chimps calling from the forest across the lake. You can also have a meal aboard the pontoon on a cruise in the lake.

Throughout the day, and especially at night, we enjoyed hearing a symphony of animal sounds – various birds, monkeys, chimps, baboons, insects, etc.  Before we leave Uganda we will return for a visit.