PAPYRUS GUEST HOUSE: The place caters for those wishing for a short stay
Two cultures working together creates a niche in service. This strikes instantly in the cordial attendance you receive from staff, from the very greenly wild hostage of flora; when you walk into Papyrus Guest House in Entebbe. Run by Lydia Nandudu and her Swiss business partner Max Schildehauer, Papyrus on U-Ring Close, minutes after State House, is a marvel of carbon neutralising-ecological sensitive ambiance.
The guest house and its extended Jacaranda rooms have wood for balcony, papyrus mattings shading the verandah and solar water heaters to conserve electricity. Trees, and flowers, which Nandudu collects from trips around Kibaale, endow the atmosphere with foresty indulgence, traced back to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The rooms maintain an environmental hue in lime green duvet, stone curved shower rooms and large wood embroidered wall mirrors.
“All nine rooms are named after Gorilla family groups habituated in Nkuringo, Bwindi; offering mid-range to upmarket accommodation,”explains Nandudu.
As Schildehauer and employee Milka Akandinda guide me on a tour of the guest house, I am introduced to Gorilla families (Rushegura, Nshongi, Kahungye, Nkuringo, Habinyanja, Bitukura, Rushanga).
These comfy resting points serve for business travellers, those awaiting departure aboard late night flights at Entebbe, tourists, UN and other NGO staff on projects, families or individuals after long hours at the beach.
Relax & Dine
Accommodation is inclusive of bed and breakfast at $120 (about Shs350,000) for double rooms, $85 (about Shs250,0000 single, and a special rate at $80 (about Shs236,000) double and $60 (about Shs236,000) single, packaged for East Africans. Visiting locals often come with own cars, so Papyrus offers pick and drop services for guests from the airport once reservations are booked. Walk-ins are equally pleasured.
Meals are served on A la carte menu, meeting individual dish request for their guests, between Shs10,000 to Shs25,000. Schildehauer recounts a Tilapia order that took them to the market and Nandudu emphasises that although they do not run a bar, all sorts of beverages are available; water at Shs2,000 beer at Shs5,000 and wine Shs10,000 per glass and Shs60,000 per bottle.
Being affiliated to Nkuringo Camp (Lodge) whose panoramic view of Virunga, Muhavura, Gashinga and Sabinyo volcanic mountains is nothing short of divine, plus gorilla tracking and walking safari through cultural rich villages of the Batwa; Papyrus is primed to offer tour guide information on wild life and Safari.
To the left of the gardens is a gazebo (hut) that serves for an outdoor experience under the. Drinks here in the snug couch with friends and free Wi-Fi is memorable. The paintings and craft hanging on walls within chambers blend with the large clay pots to uphold Uganda’s rich cultural heritage.