Secret gem and nest that is Summit Safari Lodge

Mid-August, I got an opportunity to travel to Kabale. Initially I was hesitant but changed my mind.
My day’s driver whom I was meeting for the first time, turned out amicable and conversational which made the five-hour drive seamless. Our destination was Muhanga, a town that lies in a valley, sandwiched by several hills about 34 kilometres from Kabale Town. Majestic hilltops are all green with thick black wattle, bamboo and eucalyptus forests.

Destination
Muhanga, like a magician, keeps you mesmerised. For instance, the mansions and palatial villas are irresistible. I later learn none of them belongs to high profile government official. The people of Rukiga District are accomplished businessmen. On one of the several hills that lie on the western escarpment of the valley, lies hidden surprise. Summit Safari Lodge on Katooma hill.
Standing in the valley below, all you see is a forest up the escarpment. Nothing calls your attention to the new tourist lodge hidden in the green.

As you climb the hill, passing by beautiful home after another, leaving slight clouds of dust, you reach a point where it is too steep. It is at this point that a dirt road morphs into a newly tarmacked driveway shooting up the steep hill.
After climbing about 100 metres, in this farming village, you arrive at a gate that welcomes you to Summit Safari Lodge. The air is fresher, the view of the valley is mind-blowing but temperatures colder.
The gate opens into a small car park, where a special Toyota Land Cruiser SUV for tourists is parked. Trees everywhere. One can barely see any sign of a single structure from the parking lot, yet there is one only a few metres away.

The lodge interior
The imposing trapezium structure of the lodge overlooks the valley. Owing to the extreme steep eastward slope of Katooma hill, the view is breathtaking. It seems light was the architectural inspiration for its creation.
The reception, kitchen, restaurant bar, the foyer lounge and two fireplaces are well done. One fireplace serves the interior lounge while the other serves the spacious terrace outside. The two share one chimney at the centre of the building. Remember the cold Kabale.
The roof over the terrace extends skyward, suspended at incredible height by concrete columns. This V-formation lets in as much natural light as possible, while keeping the direct sunrays at bay. The furniture, made out of logs and rafters, is sturdy and outdoorsy.
When the weather elements get too harsh on the terrace, there is a cozy lounge inside. The wall that separates the terrace and the lounge is designed to let in as much air as through the wide doors. With supersized cozy sofas, this is a place where tourists can curl in fluffy pillows and have a drink in front of a fireplace after a long day of sightseeing. No TV, just you, nature and friendship.

At the potent section
The bar serves whiskys, wines, beers and tequilas but most important here is the specialty taste of Rukiga; enturire. This is fermented sorghum brew sweetened with honey. Among the Bakiga,the drink is considered nutritious. Although more potent than lagers, it is often used by traditionalists as a remedy for malnutrition among children. Enturire is thus proving to be the signature drink at this new tourist facility, owing to its originality. It is so far the best selling item.

Ambience
When night falls, the foot paths to the residences are lined with miniscule solar-powered lamps. The cottages are all hidden in the forest uphill.
None can be seen from the main structure even during the day. The small tarmacked road snakes uphill through rosebushes, wild berries, bamboo and black wattle trees.
The cottages are miniature versions of the main building, slanting roofs. The side that faces out into the valley is extended out and elevated. This design maximises the vantage advantage, and the light–air range. The floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding aluminum framed glass doors keep you in touch with nature. The glass panes are laminated like a car windshield.
Stepping on clay tile floor is not as cold as ceramic tiles. And the bed is made of eucalyptus logs and sisal ropes. Yu cannot miss the snow-white pillows. At the balcony, you get the sense of privacy and early morning, your cottage stands taller than the mist that envelopes the valley.

Meet and mingle
Completed five months ago, it effectively became one of the few places where foreign tourists can get an opportunity to mingle with Ugandans. When it launches officially next month, it will have some offers on the eight cottages and one presidential suite.

Ownership
Charles Maruhe, 72, proprietor, is a retired engineer born and raised in Muhanga. He made his fortune from real estate. He is an unassuming travel connoisseur who has traversed East Africa, visiting all national parks.
To show for it, he owns a 7000cc touring Man truck and a 1300cc all-terrain KTM motorcycle.