If you drove out of Kampala headed North towards Mityana, you would find yourself at Muduuma at about the 46-kilometre mark. Take a left turn and keep going for a few Kilometres. The roads are tree lined and well maintained. A google maps pin will of course save you time and the bother of asking strangers for directions. Not too far from the main road are several former fishponds now converted into a recreational facility. This is Lakes of Grace Farm Resort. You will enter through an unimposing metallic gate and drive towards the valley. The path leads through an orchard. The grass is well trimmed and the trees heavy with fruit. There is a lot of oranges. Drive further down and your eyes will be met with the most beautiful mix of water and green that you have ever seen.The ponds form a small manmade lake, complete with miniscule islands. On a good day, you will meet a flock of ducks swimming and enjoying the water. They call out to each other at intervals as if to announce your arrival. Or to keep conversation. There is no way of knowing.
Depending on the time of your arrival however, your ears will be arrested by the song of birds among the trees. Avid birders will count these sightings on their hands, a trove of treasure. A turaco there, a collection of weavers going over their business.
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The Mountain Slayers Communications department is packed with talented people. They write fluently, effortlessly, I imagine, and they write very persuasively. They will sell you anything, those people.
So, the other week, they sent us an email, headline all bold and waving for attention. No way you could miss it. It commanded your attention and demanded that you read it that moment.
“We are back!”, it exclaimed dramatically.
Then it went on to explain the effects of COVID-19 on the association calendar of activities and how, somehow, the team had been able to pull off a slay(or hike), at short notice, we notice, but haven’t your feet been itching to hike? Not exactly in those words, but something like that.
Then the info pack dug in,” This hike is the perfect welcome back to hiking after a long break imposed by COVID-19 restrictions. An easy 18km (we mean that…. easy!), one can be back from the hike in time for lunch and relaxation at the very beautiful camping grounds.
I was excited.
I instantly had dreams of breathing in the clean and purified air of the Muduuma forested neighbourhood for the weekend.
The hike would take us on a round trip starting at the campsite at Buyongo, then move through the villages of Mawugulu, Jimbi, Magala, Kikwabanga, Bwereje, Walukono, Buzimwa – Katuuso and back to Buyongo.
I signed up almost immediately.
The info pack had mentioned that a vaccination certificate would be required, or a negative PCR test. I don’t think I was the only one who may have doubted that this may not be strictly enforced.
I was wrong.
As we are wont to do daily, we negotiate. I felt the need to negotiate on this as well. You see, I had just taken by second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, and the fourteen days would elapse on Sunday, the day of return. I had the full vaccination chart. I count for fully vaccinated, right?
Wrong!
Our health and safety officer did not hesitate with her answer.
“Unless you can show your certificate”, she explained,” that one issued by the ministry of health, you will have to take the test.”
She promptly asked me where I would be within the week, so someone could come take my sample.
I provided this information without further argument.
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This, for me, was the first hike where I enjoyed the campsite more than the hike trail.
I can tell you that this space is beautiful. It was by far my biggest attraction the entire slay.
You can take a boat ride on the water, going under newly created bridges that connect one piece of the land to the small man-made islands.
It is on one of these islands that we chose, to pitch our tents. I have never had such leisured camping!
The dining area is constructed atop water, which came in handy as we had no means to refrigerate our drinks, dipping them in the pond for a while to achieve the desired result. These were then taken casually beside the fireplace, to music.
The advantages of setting up residence on an island, even a small man man-made one means that there is always a constant breeze which sweeps by and for hot days as these were, it makes for a welcome chill.
The proprietor was a genial gentleman who indulged us. He was on hand to answer all our questions and attend to our service needs. He even asked for feedback on how to improve the place.
On Saturday we set off for an easy 18 km walk that would take us through the neighborhood. I have never seen so many eucalyptus forests of all ages! Every hill we hiked had a eucalyptus forest. The roads are lined by them. Every truck that passes is seemingly full of logs. And they make for picturesque trails and refined air.
As usual, the trail started out with the entire group all together, except that this time there was also a bike trail that some opted for. For the rest, it was big group at first, then spaced out as we went along.
Sometimes you will observe from pictures of the trail that you never quite experienced the trail your colleagues did; not with bountiful jambula harvests and ffene feasts. On a hike, legs were rested, conversation struck and stories traded. The residents inquiring as to the need to walk around all dressed up and the slayers, quite the inquisitive lot,asking about the geography and history of the surroundings. Jackfruit was brought and shared and conversation continued.
Needless to say, the hike was a several hour activity for many of our friends. They redefined community immersion and certainly have more stories and memories than the speed hiking team.
Should you ever need an out-of-town gate away, not so far out of town, this is your place.
For now, you can only camp, but cottages will be ready soon for those who may prefer a comfortable bed away from home.