On the hunt for tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, we stayed at Enjojo Lodge for one night. The birth of a baby elephant on the land during the construction of the lodge led to the name ‘Enjojo Lodge’, which means ‘elephant’ in the local Rukiga language.
There are seven luxury cottages and ours (B7) was the furthest away apart from tents, but the path was well paved and flat.
Our cottage had a high thick thatched roof. The room was large with double bed and mosquito net but only two small pillows which were inadequate for the size of the bed. It was simply furnished with bedside tables, racks to open two suitcases, table and chair and two armchairs – there was no fridge, TV, hairdryer or safe. As power is solar generated, there was only mobile phone charging in the room (2 USB points), but batteries etc, could be charged in the restaurant.
The bathroom had a large open wardrobe area made from bamboo and a great bamboo towel rail. Neither of the two stone hand basins had hot water, but lighting was good. There was also an excellent outdoor shower, and we were advised to run the water for three minutes because of the distance it had to travel. However, when it arrived, it was hot and powerful.
We enjoyed sitting out on our semi-circular covered wooden deck which possibly because of the high thatched roof, was shaded, and cool.
Whilst we could wander freely during the day, because of elephants, we had to be accompanied in the dark by an armed ranger.
Our package included all meals and lunch on arrival comprised of tomato soup and a roll, followed by vegetable curry with a small portion of rice as requested, finishing with fresh fruit salad of pineapple, mango, watermelon and passion fruit.
On checking in, we’d been told that the local school would sing for the muzungus at 7pm but this was cancelled at the last minute, perhaps because there were only two other guests.
In the evening, the fire pit was lit (with chairs all around it) and having ordered beers which came with popcorn, we sat overlooking the lake. Dinner was pumpkin soup, lentil dal, rice and a chapatti (the choice had been fish with potatoes) but we decided to skip pancakes and syrup. We finished with coffee, nicely served in a cafetiere and a nightcap of Amarula.
For breakfast we enjoyed passion fruit juice, a cafetiere of coffee with hot milk, fruit platter, and having declined eggs, we settled for toast, jam and peanut butter.
This was a simple but lovely place with friendly staff, and it was easy to see why our Bradt guide designated it an author’s favourite.
