Besaniya Guesthouse
The Dutch aid organisation SYPO has started 'Besaniya Guesthouse' some 20km from the capital of Uganda, Kampala. All proceeds of Besaniya are used to support SYPO projects and other local initiatives. Although the accommodation is fairly simple, Besaniya is situated on a lush green hill just outside the centre of Mukono town, with views over lake Victoria. At only 45min travelling from Kampala, Besaniya is the perfect refuge from the hectic capital. Besaniya has mostly long-term guests that stay several months and cater for themselves in the large communal kitchen, which creates a great atmosphere. The SYPO offices are also located on the compound.
Besaniya has seven simple double rooms ('banda's') without bathroom or kitchen, and two appartments with bathroom and a small kitchen. The banda's share toilets and showers elsewhere on the compound. All rooms have electricity. The guests make use of a large kitchen at the top of the compound, eat on a verandah overlooking the garden, and can make use of the bar. Besaniya is a twenty minute walk from the centre of Mukono, where you can find super markets, food markets, internet cafes and ATM's.
Besaniya Guesthouse is located in the Mukono district, some 45min from Kampala, 1.5 hours from Entebbe and 1 hour from Jinja. The district is on the shores of Lake Victoria, so that the district is home to many fishermen villages. Some suggestions for day-trips from the guesthouse:
Rooms and facilities
Besaniya has seven simple double rooms ('banda's') without bathroom or kitchen, and two appartments with bathroom and a small kitchen. The banda's share toilets and showers elsewhere on the compound. All rooms have electricity. The guests make use of a large kitchen at the top of the compound, eat on a verandah overlooking the garden, and can make use of the bar. Besaniya is a twenty minute walk from the centre of Mukono, where you can find super markets, food markets, internet cafes and ATM's.
Surroundings
Besaniya Guesthouse is located in the Mukono district, some 45min from Kampala, 1.5 hours from Entebbe and 1 hour from Jinja. The district is on the shores of Lake Victoria, so that the district is home to many fishermen villages. Some suggestions for day-trips from the guesthouse:
- The cooperative vanilla factory in Kisoga
- The tea plantation in Lugazi
- Mabira Forest (birds, monkeys, rain forest) near Lugazi
- Fishing trips on Lake Victoria
- The SYPO yoghurt factory in Kikwayi
- Repayment day of the SYPO microfinance project
- The town of Jinja
- Griffin Falls
Prices
Garden and birds
Besaniya has a 1.5 hectare garden, with many species of plants and birds. With Lake Victoria as a background, you can expect to see the Great Blue Turaco, Grey African Plantain Eater, Woodland Kingfisher, Pygmee Kingfisher, Hadeda Ibis, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, African Pied Hornbill and numerous types of Sterling. The garden is also home to large families of Red-tailed monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabes and Zebra Mongooses.
Volunteer work
Mosts guests of Besaniya Guesthouse are volunteers through Counterpart Travels, a SYPO project. SYPO uses its extensive local network to search for volunteer positions that exactly match your interests and background. We are particularly experienced in medical volunteer work, but have also placed many people in legal positions, teaching positions, pedagogics or economic positions. For more information, please check out www.counterparttravels.com.
Photos
Bookings
Through the below form, you can book a room at the guesthouse, and a taxi from the airport. If you book two weeks or less in advance, please do not only use this form, but also call +256775821561.