Many people love to take a break at the end of the year. But
12 months is a long time to wait, right? A group of friends and I therefore
decided to make use of a mid-year public holiday that luckily for us fell on Monday making the weekend longer.
Though in dire need to unwind our wallets were only semi-smiling. We agreed and
made plans to spend two days and one night at Lake Side Adventure Park, Bule
Island.
Seeing as we were not spending too much on the trip, we
didn’t expected it to be a lot of fun. The excitement was initially because we
would be altogether and out of town. But we were wrong. The activities tired us
to the bone. We totally enjoyed ourselves while there.
Getting there
Bule Island is located somewhere in Mukono, you can get there
by water and road briefly or road alone. The complete road trip is longer and
more costly. We opted to go by water. This required us to be at KK beach at an
agreed time from where we were picked.
If with spending the night at Bule Island, you can leave
your car parked at KK Beach Ggaba over night. Prior to the trip, we were told
it would cost us Shs5,000 per night but when we talked to the guards they said
it is free of charge.
We travelled on boat for less than 20 minutes and then into
a car to Lake Side Adventure Park. Transport is about Shs20,000 to and from. It
is less if you are many. And you don’t have to spend the night. If you decide
to, that will cost Shs30,000 in the dormitory. The cottages are a little more
expensive but where under construction when we went there.
The vacation mood starts the moment you get onto the boat
thanks to the vast fields of vegetation surrounding the place. It is serene,
the air so fresh that you wish you could bag some of it. We were told that the
network is poor for all telecom companies once you get on water. We complied at
first but were later grateful for that. It helped us relax more because we paid
attention to each other and our surroundings instead of being on phone half of
the time.
The activities
At the park are two main activities, the obstacle course which
is Shs10,000 per person and the high rope which has two levels each costing
Shs30,000. Involving running up and down, jumping and all kind of things, the
obstacle course seemed so easy to do. We were divided into two groups and told
to compete away and repeat as many times as we wanted. We thought we would
compete one on one after the group competition. But when we finished, competing
as groups once, with a few bruises, sweaty bodies, exhausted, we walked back to
our rooms quietly. Word of advise, don’t go for this after a heavy meal.
The high rope is also a mixture of challenges divided into
two levels. The second is obviously more challenging than the first. It is
almost as daring as bungee jumping and ends on a cool note of a zip slide at
all levels. These activities are suitable for company staff retreats or group
of friends. When counting them they seem few but they are so draining, you
wouldn’t go for a second round even if you didn’t have to pay. You can take
children as well if aged eight and above. After this sleeping, card and board
games is all you will be able to do. A friend and I decided to play Twister to
help stretch our muscles, that didn’t go to well.
At the island
The nights at island are quite and peaceful. At adventure
park, power is switched on at 7pm to 10pm. It can be kept on longer at a fee.
It is then that you can take a hot bath
and charge electronics. When the water levels are low, they hold a camp fire at
the beach – it is beautiful. A friend carried a portable hoofer with which we
played music off our phones, it spiced up our visits so much as we turned the
dormitory in which we were sleeping into a mini dance hall. It was fun.
The surroundings
When we attempted to move around, we ended up at Lagoon
Resort whose staff unlike those at Lake Side Adventure Park where not as
friendly. Seeing as there was a swimming pool unlike at the park, we decided to
go swim there But even though the pool was abandoned, we were refused from
using it because when they have guests it is exclusive to them. As we turned to
live, we were asked to pay Shs5,000 for entering the resort. It is something
clearly written on a sign post at the entrance. But we thought we wouldn’t have
to pay it since we wanted to swim. It costs about Shs500,000 per night ($200).
We hurried back to the friendly (need I add affordable) Lake Side Adventure
Park but not before walking down to the Lagon Resort beach. The walk way is
heavenly, a day there can heal you of all the stress. These also have a speed
boat.
We were totally impressed by Lake Side Adventure Park. The
staff is friendly and highly professional – they see to it that you get what
they promised. Requiring you to place your orders days before your trip, the
meals are delivered just on time in the most appetizing of ways. Breakfast
costs Shs10,000, lunch and dinner is Shs15,000 and Shs20,000 for a barbeque.
Soft drinks cost Shs2000. You are allowed to carry wine/champagne and anything
else that you need but is not sold at the Island. Check out their website
www.lakeside.ug to get contacts and ask to be served by a gentleman called
Perfect. He is almost perfect.
