The Three Beaches of Lake Nabugabo
Article from the series: Attractions of Rwanda, western Uganda and eastern DR Congo
Wondering where to stop for a picturesque sleepover between Uganda’s southwest and Kampala? It’s a looong drive to Entebbe Airport if you embark from somewhere around Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park …
Lake Nabugabo is an ideally situated layover, lying 23km/14mi from the town of Masaka, and blessed with a good tarmac road most of the way. In less than 30 minutes you will be off the highway and on its banks! You can take the next morning off and appreciate one of the prettiest among Uganda’s 165 lakes because Kampala is only 2.5-3 hours away.
Nabugabo is small enough (5km/3.1mi across) that you can see the sand bar that separated it from Lake Victoria 5,000 years ago, and its sunrise views can be stunning. Most attractively, the waters are safe, shallow and therefore very family-friendly. One should come here to swim, and that’s why we will zero in on the beaches of Lake Nabugabo hotels …
Nabugabo Sand Beach
As its name implies, this is the where sand rules. They have cute little houses and plentiful rooms on offer, but double-check if you want to come on a weekend or holiday — Nabugabo Sand Beach often is the party place of Masaka! (Their brand is so strong locally that people often know only this destination, but the other two places presented are just some minutes away.)
The Sand Beach restaurant/bar is the biggest on the lake, there is a volleyball court, a motorcycle course, donkey rides and zip lining. Boats are available for hire.
prices: UGX 50,000 rooms – 70,000 cottages (USD 14-19)
phone contact: +256 772 416047, +256702 416047, +256 702 453 030
email: sandbeachnabugabo@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/nabugabosandbeach/
Nabugabo Holiday Center
Hands-down the top combination of sand and the forest! The circular cottages are relatively simple in their interior design but they are particularly close to the lake, guaranteeing the soothing soundtrack of the waves lapping the shore. The extensive compound includes big camping and sports areas and there is a conference facility.
Nabugabo Holiday Center belongs to the Church of Uganda, so you will not find alcoholic drinks here. They don’t stop you, however, from bringing your own supplies with you or shopping at the nearby village.
prices: UGX 50,000 single – 100,000 double with a lake view (USD 14-27)
phone contact: +256 752 539 300, +256 772 433 332, +256 772 646 948
email: info@nabugabo.com
website: www.nabugabo.com
Terrace View Beach
You don’t come here for the beach to be honest … The shore is terraced and access for swimming is easy, but the setup not perfect for water lovers. Its location between the Sand Beach and the Holiday Centre, a couple of walking minutes away from both, makes it a cool drink/meal stop, and that’s about it.
As an accommodation, this is a combination of an African-styled cottage and 4 brand-new rooms in a one-story building. Terrace View Beach is a church property as well, but its Catholic owners do not shy away from offering all beverages at their bar.
prices: UGX 62,000 cottage – 82,000 room (USD 17-22)
phone contact: +256 782 703 078, +256 758 280 400
email: /
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TerraceViewBeachNabugabo/
A stroll along the shore may in fact be the best non-swimming activity of Nabugabo (from the Sand Beach restaurant to the end of the Holiday Centre is about 20 minutes on foot). You are likely to see monkeys, meet fishermen and run into random facets of Ugandan rural life.
photos by Miha Logar
