Ideal Getaway: Like many beautiful places in Jinja, Bohemia Resort is tucked away from the town centre. The view overlooking the Nile and buried in flora is one ideal getaway. Rafsanjan Abbey Tatya writes.
If you are a tourist and you ask most Ugandans where to go on a weekend, you will most likely be directed to Jinja.
Although it is beautiful to wander around the peaceful old town admiring the old Asian architecture, the best places in the town are hidden.
One of those hidden treasures are Bohemia Resort Hotel that opened to the public hardly a month ago.
This well-knit eco resort is nestled above the rumbling waters of River Nile. It is about a 15-minutes drive from Jinja Town and yet a beautiful world on its own.
To get there, you will have to branch off the Kampala–Jinja highway at the ‘Nile stage’. The road to Bohemia Resort is certainly not among the best but once you get there, the rewards are worth the drive as a different kind of experience unfolds — think relaxation in the wilderness.
Umbrellas, up-cycled furniture, huge pots, a cool breeze and a great view of the Nile is what makes this a great place to sit and enjoy a drink or two.
The theme at Bohemia is a blend of bright colours, coffee, food, nature, and local contemporary art.
Surrounded by farming villages, Bohemia weaves culture and nature.
“While resorts in towns are struggling to create a natural environment, all we have to do is maintain what we already have,” Henry Matovu, the Bohemia manager says.
All recreation and dining facilities have been thoughtfully designed to make the best of the Nile view.
Activities around include bungee jumping, water rafting, quad biking, horse riding, picnics, forest walks, golfing and boat cruises, among others. Fishing is a major income and sport activity along River Nile, and Bohemia is an ideal spot for fishing.
“We have introduced beach games and other activities for family groups.”
Accommodation
Boheima boasts of 15 neatly-furnished rooms; 10 are twins and the rest are double rooms. Each room has its private porch. Double rooms go for $100 (around 350k) while twin rooms are $80 (approximately 280k).
There will be a special buffet offer on Independence Day at 40k only,” Matovu said. “At $140 (around 500k) you get full board meals served with either a local beer, soda or glass of white or red wine.”
The spacious and well-organised restaurant is decorated with African paintings and artifacts.
The restaurant offers a choice of well-cooked breakfast, continental meals and room service. Fresh fish caught and delivered by local fishermen on a daily basis makes the grilled fish a must-have. Oh, you must try their fresh passion juice – awesome!
The resort also has a health club, swimming pool, spacious parking, pool bar and sports bar. Their tranquil conference rooms are open for meetings and workshops while their spacious green is open for public gatherings such as weddings and birthday parties, accommodating more than 2,000 people at ago.
Non-resident guests can enjoy a soccer match at the pool bar equipped with gigantic wall screens and DStv.
Beers cost between 5k and 7k while meals range between 20k and 50k. Swimming is 5k for nonresidents.
What you will find
Bohemia boasts of 15 neatly-furnished rooms; 10 are twins and the rest are double rooms. Each room has its private porch. Double rooms go for $100 (around 350k) while twin rooms are $80 (approximately 280k).
• There will be a special buffet offer on Independence Day at 40k only,” Matovu said. “At $140 (around 500k).
