Hotel Ntungamo (Ntungamo Uganda)

Uganda Lodge is in a rural setting in the south western part of Uganda. Its is on the main Kabale road with easy access to the towns of Mbarara 50 kms east and Ntungamo 10 kms to the west.
The Guest House, camping site and bar is a non-profit enterprise that has been started by donations and fund-raising efforts in the UK and partnered with a local family in Ruhanga. By having accommodation in this area it is enabling visitors and volunteers to mix with and actively help enhance the lives of the local community in various ways.
The village people are mainly subsistence farmers with very little disposable income and as many of the older generation had few chances of education their one over-riding passion is to educate their own children in the hope of a better life for them.
There are many orphans in the villages -- mainly from HIV/AIDS and other often preventable diseases - and the grandparents and extended families who look after these children have an even greater struggle.
By having visitors stay at the Lodge, a small income is derived and a number of villagers are in full-time employment there. All the various building projects we do have given intermittent employment to craftsmen and labourers over the past three years .
At the request of village parents & carers we have opened a Nursery School that now has over 40 students - primary education does not begin until a child is 7 years old; visitors are welcomed in here to interact with the little ones - helping teach English, nursery rhymes, crafts, games, songs and sports.
There are 4 other schools within easy walking distance and all welcome volunteers to help the students to pass their English exams.
We have a series of interactive local-language DVD's that educate on many subjects and if these are facilitated by guests there is always a crowd turning up to view them.
This is just an example of how we with a western education can help: there is a hospital only 4 kms away from the Lodge with free drugs for malaria etc; but villagers do not go to take a patient there until the child or the already weakened elderly or pregnant person is very ill and close to dying - because their concept is 'you only go to hospital to die!' We can do so much to help them understand.
Staying at Uganda Lodge will enable adults or indeed complete families to experience another culture in a very non-touristy situation. You can be sure that nothing is put on 'especially for the tourists' If you watch a singing and dancing show - it will be because that is what they will do for their own friends. They weave baskets and mats and you will be welcomed to join in - or maybe you can teach them some crafts yourself? They will love it whatever you can do to join in with family life.
We are building a craft centre and a new classroom, and if you have building skills then your help would be much appreciated - or maybe you would like top go to the local hardware shop and purchase some bags of cement and other building materials and see them being used?
The accommodation is basic but comfortable. Beds have mosquito nets, manual showers are in every room - and hot water can be supplied in a jerry can. Electricity in the bandas and rooms means if you wish you can make a hot drink in your room and charge your phone or laptop. Internet connection is available in Ntungamo. The £50 charged per person for the week includes three local meals per day, - if you wish you can supplement this and perhaps teach the staff some new recipes!
If you would like to do some fund-raising beforehand, and bring some extra money out with you, then with discussion we can let you organise a specific project yourself - maybe putting windows in the nursery school, putting down a cement floor in the local primary school, having a well dug, or start up an income generating project such as fruit drying or animal husbandry
We can organise a 4x4 and driver to take you out on a long or short safari to see many large game animals and birds in the national parks, hot springs, lakes and markets or even the elusive mountain gorillas (permits need to be arranged beforehand)
We have a few local villagers who speak very good English and are always happy to take visitors on hill walks and through the nearby farms.
There will be much to occupy you during your stay at Uganda Lodge.
Please come and stay where you can be assured that every pound you spend will directly help the local community