Nabugabo Holiday Center – Lake Nabugabo, Masaka, Uganda
Nabugabo Holiday Center (also written Nabugabo Holiday Centre) is a Church of Uganda-owned lakeside holiday center on the eastern shore of Lake Nabugabo, near Masaka in Uganda, about three hours by car from Kampala. It offers lake houses, forest cottages, family cottages and lakeside camping, with a restaurant, canoeing, birdwatching, boat cruises and quiet family holidays on 32 acres of forest, lawns and garden. It is open all year and is an alcohol-free property.
Quick facts
- Location: eastern shore of Lake Nabugabo, Masaka District, Uganda (about 3 hours from Kampala)
- Owner: Church of Uganda
- Rates: cottages from UGX 250,000 per night; camping UGX 60,000 per pitch
- Stay types: lake houses (full board), forest and family cottages (bed and breakfast), lakeside camping
- Grounds: 32 acres of forest, lawns and garden down to the water
- Good to know: open all year, alcohol-free, complimentary Wi-Fi in cottages, quiet hours from 10pm
- Book: online, WhatsApp +256 752 539300 or info@nabugabohc.com
Where to stay
| Stay | Meal plan | Max guests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake House 1 | Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) | 2 | UGX 600,000 per guest room per night |
| Lake House 2 | Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) | 2 | UGX 500,000 per guest room per night |
| Small Forest Cottages | Bed and breakfast | 2 | UGX 350,000 per night |
| Large Forest Cottages | Bed and breakfast | 2 | UGX 450,000 per night |
| Family Cottages 5 & 7 | Bed and breakfast | 4 | UGX 350,000 per night |
| Family Cottages 6 & 8 | Bed and breakfast | 4 | UGX 250,000 per night |
| Family Cottage 9 | Bed and breakfast | 4 | UGX 450,000 full occupancy per night |
| Lakeside Camping | Pitch only (meals available at the restaurant) | 2 | UGX 60,000 per pitch per night |
Things to do at Lake Nabugabo
- Lake Canoeing – Traditional dugout canoes, alone or with a guide.
- Birding Walk – A guided walk along the shoreline and into the papyrus; more than 200 bird species have been recorded here. Best before 8am; binoculars available to borrow.
- Village Walk – A walk with a local guide to the village, the market, the school and the old church.
- Sunset Boat Cruise – A motorised wooden boat leaving at 5:30pm and back by 7pm.
- Tilapia Fishing – Join the morning fishing run from 5 to 7am; your catch goes to lunch. Gumboots provided.
- Craft & Cook – Learn to cook Luwombo, a Ugandan banana-leaf dish, with the cook.
- Guided Lake Time – Time by the shoreline with a guide nearby; ask the front desk about current conditions.
- Private Firepit Dinner – The supper set menu served at your own firepit by the lake. Book 24 hours ahead.
Getting here
About three hours by car from Kampala: drive to Masaka, then follow Bukakata Road towards Lake Nabugabo. Get directions on Google Maps.
Common questions
Where is Nabugabo Holiday Center?
Nabugabo Holiday Center is on the eastern shore of Lake Nabugabo in Masaka District, Uganda. The address is Plot 30/37, Nabugabo Holiday Centre, Lake Nabugabo, Off Bukakata Road, Masaka. It is about three hours by car from Kampala: drive to Masaka, then follow Bukakata Road towards Lake Nabugabo.
Who owns Nabugabo Holiday Center?
Nabugabo Holiday Center is owned by the Church of Uganda.
How much does it cost to stay at Nabugabo Holiday Center?
Cottages cost from UGX 250,000 per night (Family Cottages 6 & 8, bed and breakfast) up to UGX 600,000 per guest room per night (Lake House 1, full board). Lakeside camping costs UGX 60,000 per pitch per night. All prices are in Ugandan shillings.
What accommodation is available at Lake Nabugabo?
Lake House 1 and Lake House 2 (full board, beside the water), Small and Large Forest Cottages (bed and breakfast), Family Cottages 5 & 7, 6 & 8 and 9 for up to four guests (bed and breakfast), and a lakeside camping ground.
Are meals included?
The Lake Houses are full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner). The forest and family cottages include breakfast. Camping is pitch only, and campers can eat at the restaurant.