"Unparalleled value for money"

Banda Island
Banda Island was originally bought almost 15 years ago however it wasn't until 1999 that the island opened its doors to travelers for the first time. The information provided below will help to give you some idea of the atmosphere on the island and an idea of how to get here.

Getting there & Away
Various options are available depending on your budget.

The Kasenyi option: The cheapest and most regular is to take a Ssese fishing canoe from Kasenyi landing site. Take a taxi from old taxi park in Kampala to Kasenyi which costs approx Ushs3,000/-. In Kasenyi walk towards the water and on your right hand side you will see a Banda sign over the Kasenyi Takeaway where you can get some refreshments from Mama Grace.

Typically you will be carried onto the boat by Grace's choice of porters, which costs Ushs500/-. per trip. Males travel on the shoulders; females are scooped up like a baby and carried. Please dress accordingly, little skimpy mini-skirts will DEFINITELY cause a prolonged riot amongst the wanna-be porters! Departure depends on too many variables to list here, but include weather, wind and size of yesterday's fish catch!

This following are the current transport options as of January 2012. For up to date information about transport options and rates please check out: http://bandaisland.wordpress.com

• There is a daily boat at 14.00 that proceeds to the neighboring island of Kitobo approx Ushs10,000- per person. From Kitobo to Banda the boat charter will cost Ushs25,000-.
  
• Monday and Friday a boat leaves at 12:00 to Banda village, transport to Banda Beach is Ushs15,000. Ask for Isaak.
  
• A direct boat to Banda beach leaves every Tuesdays at 12.00am (ask for Tom), charges are Ushs Ushs20,000/-.
  

The crossing takes about 3 hours. The boats are open so be aware of an overload of sunshine. Also bring a jacket as it gets cold on the open water in the evening. You cross the equator about 15 minutes out of Kasenyi, and there are usually beers available on the boat to help you celebrate. If you have made a booking with Banda Island, preferably some days in advance, then we will have a large fire on the beach to guide you in to a cold beer and hot supper. No booking no supper.

Via Kalangala: The 2.00pm ferry from Nakiwogo, Entebbe which takes you to Lutoboga where you can be met by a special boat hire. This will cost Ushs120,000- each way for the entire boat.

The return to Kampala: Boats leave from the beach in front of the camp in the middle of the morning most days, depending on winds and fish catch, and reach Kasenyi around 3.00 or 4.00 p.m.

• The daily Kitobo public boat leaves every day at 5:00 am, so you have to leave Banda at 4:30 and go to sleep early… or not at all!
  
• On Saturday Tom comes back to Banda beach at 14:00 and then proceeds straight to Kasenyi. Price Ushs20,000
  
• Sundays and Thursdays Isaak departs from Banda Village around 11:00 am straight to Kasenyi (Ushs10,000).
  
• Wednesdays a boat departs from Banda Village at 9:00 and takes you to Entebbe close to the airport.
  
• The ferry departs from Lutoboga at 8:00, so also for this option you have to get out of your comfy bed early.
  

Banda Island private boat special hire arrangement (note this is a private boat and not per person fee). These prices depend on the current fuel prices.
Entebbe - Banda Island Ushs350,000- one way
Kalangala - Banda island Ushs120,000- one way

Restaurant & Bar
Our Restaurant & Bar offers snacks and a selection of beverages. We prepare good value meals to order in advance. All our food is freshly prepared on site and is totally amazing and tasty.

Accommodation
In order to maintain the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere on Banda Island we prefer to limit the accommodation to 24 beds. We offer the following types of accommodation:
Enjoy the views from numerous hammocks along the beach.

• 3 spacious cottages with cement floors and large glass windows ideally situated to enjoy a cozy view of the ferocity of the tropical storms from the warmth of a dry bed. Each cottage is furnished with two beds (one double, one single). Fresh linen is provided and most have two sets of hammocks on your private verandah with uninterrupted view of the lake.
  
  
  
  
• One cottage with two big Zanzibari beds and own toilet/shower and a little verandah.
  
  
  
• A dormitory in the middle of the island, with the best scent of the island (next to the kitchen).
  
• Pitch your own tent
  
• Lazy camping: We pitch our tent for you and provide a mattress, cushion and blanket
  

Activities
The most popular pastime for customers seems to be stretching out after a large meal, or soaking up some skin cancer on the sandy palm fringed beaches. However, the swimming is superbly relaxing and there is nothing nasty in the water.

We have a net and a professional volleyball waiting for you to sweat out the huge lunch before you settle for a shandy on the beach.

There are kayaks and canoes for the more energetic, and paddling dinghies for the more sedate option. All the toys come with life-jackets, which we ask you to use! There is a family of otters that although shy can be approached gently by water.

Rates effective January 2012
Lazy camping: US$25- per person
Pitch your own tent: US$20-
Dormitory bed: US$25-
Beach Cottage: US$75- (sleeps two to three)
Self-contained cottage (sleeps two): US$75-

Rates are full board packages per day.

The full board all inclusive price includes; decent breakfast, tasty lunch and a huge supper, unlimited tea and coffees. Food is a very important aspect of the island; we spend half the day eating and the other half talking about what to eat next! Given the speed that the shilling is falling I am sure we will have to change the prices soon, so take advantage of this special offer while you can.

EXTRA Special Offer

Pay for 5 nights and stay for 7 . Low season only.
Come with a group of 10 and pay for 8. Low season only.

Contacting us and making reservations:
Banda Island Resort is a small lodge and we do need warning of your impending arrival. Despite the optimistic blurb from the overzealous telephone salesmen with a slightly tenuous grasp of the truth, we do not have decent phone reception. It is possible sometimes to send and receive calls, but only if I stand on the rocks in the water frantically waving the phone around in the air... not such a good option. However SMS or text messages seem to be more successful.

From your mobile send to:
+256 (0)772 222777

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