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These Islands once a well off the beaten track location and frequented by only the hardiest of backpackers The introduction of the new government vehicle ferry from Bukakata to Luku now operates a regular schedule at 09.00, 12.00 and 16.00 hrs Mon to Sat and 09.00 and 16.00 Sundays. MTN Uganda has added Bugala Island to their cellular network.
Getting there and back:
The Gaso public bus runs to Kalangala on the Ssese Islands from the Kampala bus park on Sundays only. A daily bus service departs Masaka usually around 14.00 to connect with the 16.00 ferry from Bukakata. This bus returns the following morning from Kalangala at 08.00.
  Option 1:
The introduction of a passenger ferry service in June 2000 by Wema Tours (041 235586) using a converted fishing trawler that ran between Entebbe Pier and Kalangala made getting to the islands easier and safer. The service has unfortunately been discontinued until further notice as of June 2001 although it would be worthwhile phoning Wema Tours to check on the current situation of the service.

Option 2:
For the more adventurous it is possible to make the same journey as above by Ssese canoes that leaves from the Kasenyi fish terminal landing site. Kasenyi is located half way between Entebbe and Kampala. A rough track for about 5 kms leads to the landing site from the main paved Kampala road. There are matatus that ply this route. There is no safe parking to leave a vehicle here overnight so it recommended you leave any vehicles at one of the backpacker's campsites. A boat will usually leave around 1500 hrs for Kalangala/Mwena with local people and cargo. Coming from Kalangala the boat departs Mwena 1 km from Kalangala at around 0700 hrs. The one-way fare is Ush 5000-. The boat usually stops at many Island landing sites (sometimes including Banda Island) in either direction picking up fish and people. Crossing time is between 3 and 5 hours.

You can take boats from Kasenyi to many of the Ssese Islands, but tourist facilities are available only on Bugala, Bukasa and Banda Islands.

Option 3:
For those with or without a vehicle the roll on roll off pontoon ferry that runs between Bukakata and Luku/Bugoma is probably the most reliable route. The pontoon is large enough to take the bus, which runs to Kalangala from Kampala. Foot passengers are free although those with vehicles may have to contribute a few liters of diesel to make the crossing. The ferry runs 3 times a day 08.00, 13.00 and 16.00 from Bukakata returning from Luku/Bugoma an hour later except on Sundays when there are two crossings at 13.00 and 16.00. Vehicle loading is often chaotic and sometimes manic. With too many vehicles competing for the spaces available on the ferry forget about the first come first to be served concept. A policy of each and everyone for him/herself purveys.

There is a regular Ssese canoe service taking local people when the pontoon has no vehicular traffic. Expect to pay Ush 2000- to cross.

There is no accommodation in Bukakata however there is a basic campsite in Luku for those totally self-contained. The Scorpion Guest House is set 1 km up the road from the Pier. Simple rooms Ush 4000- per person, and meals available Ush 2000-. 'Free Camping' could be possible 100m from the pier where a grass clearing adjacent the public latrines provides an open area for those that find themselves stranded coming off the late arrival of the last ferry of the day.

Accommodation:
Read document on Masaka for accommodation prior to getting to Bukakata.
Kalangala:
Andronicos Lodge: Tel. 077 375529- Basic rooms Ush 5000- to Ush 8000-Most visitors to Bugala Island stay in one of several tourist facilities set in the bay on the lake below Kalangala itself.
Islands Club:
Expensive. Accommodation in bungalows and tents. Camping possible on the beach at US$10 per person!! Visitors to Islands Club are requested to pre-book in Kampala at Wema Tours (041 235586). Double US$90-, Single US$50- (Full board)
Double US$70-, Single US$10- (Bed & Breakfast).
Save your time and stay at one of the venues mentioned below.
 

Hornbill Camp: Tel. 077 729478, e-mail: hornbillcamp@bigfoot.com. Set on the beach in a clump of remnant forest. . Bar, meals available (Complete dinner Ush4000-).
Camping Ush 3500-
Banda Ush 20000-
Dormitory banda bed Ush7000- per night
Tents for hire Ush6000- per night

Panorama Camp: Tel. 077 406371 or 077 401684. 13 self-contained cottages with solar lighting and hot water. Ush 30,000- per cottage. 1 non self-contained cottage Ush 15,000-. Bar and restaurant.
Camping Ush 3000-

Ssese Palm Beach Resort:
Tel. 077 623984. Nine cottages and tents for hire. Bar and restaurant. Hot showers. Popular with backpackers. Reservations for cottages can be made through East West Travel Kampala
Tel.041 254435 or 077 548246, email: ssese_2001@yahoo.com
Cottages from Ush30,000- to Ush45,000-
Executive tents - Ush25,000-
Campers tents - Ush15,000-
Above prives include breakfast.
Camping with own tent - Ushs7000-
Ssese Islands Beach Hotel: Tel. 041 220065 or Cell 077 505 098, 077 408244,
email: cliniquip@infocom.co.ug
Delux cottages, self-contained cottages, dormitory and camping site. Bar with pool table, darts, table tennis and satellite TV. Solar lighting, clean running water and hot showers.
Delux Cottages - US$25- to Ush60- depending on meal options and occupancy
Executive Cottages - US$10- to US$20-. Bed only. Located a few miniutes walks from the beach.
Dormitories - US$5- pppn
Camping - US$2- pppn
Accommodation prices do not include breakfast unless otherwise indicated.All the above camps can be accessed by vehicle.

Amenities:
Do not expect Kalangala to be the buzz of activity. The arrival of the 'Mango Tree Barber' once a week is a big event! Basic provisions that include sodas, fruit and sweet bread buns are usually available. Most people take meals at whatever camp they happen to be staying.

There is a post office in Kalangala but you would be advised to keep anything you may wish to post until getting back to the mainland or better still post in the main Kampala Post Office.There is an MTN publicom call box and MTN container outlet where you can purchase Publicom airtime prepaid cards and for those with mobiles air time and service fees cards.Fuel availability is erratic in Kalangala so tank up in Masaka for those with their own vehicles.Between Hornbill and Palm Beach Camps there is a fishing village where you can buy fresh fish and even have meals prepared. Basic foodstuffs, cigarettes, beers and alcohol are available here cheaper than at the tourist camps.
Mechanical Emergencies:
There are very few vehicles on the Bugala Island, possibly not more that 20. Do not expect garage facilities although there is a fuel station in Kalangala where fishermen come to purchase petrol for outboards. Diesel fuel may not be available.
Medical Emergencies:
A basic health clinic is located in Kalangala. Malaria is a major problem on the Islands. G&C Tours Entebbe Tel. 041 321479 has two 8-man ski boats that regularly do trips to Ngamba and Bugala Islands. Contracting their services would best effect the quickest medical evacuation.
Places to visit:
People tend to come to the Ssese Islands to chill out, read books, relax and hang about the camps on the beach. Walks are the only activity. For birding enthusiasts the islands are home to a wide diversity of colorful bird life. Turacos and an endemic Paradise Flycatcher are common. Swimming is possible in the lake but there is a Bilharzia risk.

Other Islands in the Ssese Islands Group:
Banda Island
Banda Island is home to The Banda Island Resort Tel or SMS. 077 222777
email: banda_island@yahoo.com or a 144 charcter mail to 002577222777@mtnconnect.com. Camping is possible and meals provided on a full board basis. The Banda Island amazing value offer of full board and accommodation for only Ush20,000 per night is certainly a an incentive to getting you out there. Ssese canoes leave Kasenyi between Kampala and Entebbe everyday in the afternoons between 3.00 pm and 6.00pm. Costs are Ush4000- per person.
Bulago Island. Click here to back
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