Last Updated on April 18, 2025
A heavy weight had already lifted from my shoulders as I walked up to the cobalt-colored building and entered the Mount Elgon Hotel and Spa in Mbale, Uganda. The down-to-earth lobby featured six black wicker chairs with white cushions and two black wicker coffee tables.
Further in, a red sitting chair, two old leather suitcases, and a cabinet filled with books and coffee were welcoming features. Bright yellow walls covered with hanging tapestries featuring animals like turtles and fish surrounded me as I enjoyed a cup of coffee in the lounge. I felt completely relaxed and more than ready to start my holiday.
Re-charging is easy here. The property, a five-to-six-hour drive from Entebbe, is a welcoming oasis with a garden, a pool overlooking a golf course and mountains, fresh delectable dishes and, a wonderfully accommodating staff.
Guests can choose between executive, superior and standard rooms. All rooms have mosquito netting on the beds and a mini-fridge. Executive rooms also include a black leather couch, two wicker chairs with cushions and a writing desk. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and I particularly enjoyed the pink curtains.
The breakfast buffet at Masaba Restaurant features local dishes such as Katogo. It’s made with Matoke (steamed and mashed green plantain) cooked with peanut paste, vegetables, meat or mushrooms. This Katogo included onions, red peppers and tomato sauce. Other dishes include lamb with peppers, sausage, beans, pancakes and a choice of eggs.
I found myself at the dessert table every morning, eating banana bread, a lemon bar or cookie. The hotel also makes homemade jams, including caramelized green tomato, pumpkin, and tamarind. Tamarind was my absolute favorite.
For lunch and dinner, guests can order a variety of foods, such as pizza, tomato soup, and eggplant. The creamy tomato soup with a hint of spice is satisfying and ideal if you’re not very hungry after a hearty breakfast.
I also relished local dishes, including Matoke with smoked bamboo shoots cooked in peanut paste. I could have taken a spoon and eaten the paste itself. I also fancied the thick posho with beans made from corn flour. I highly recommend these two local staples.
Hotel Amenities
Guests can relax at the pool while enjoying the golf course and Mount Elgon views. While I did not have time for a treatment on this visit, the hotel also offers a spa and gym. Mini-golf is also available on property. The garden is perfect for relaxing, providing a serene setting with only the sounds of chirping birds.
Additionally, the hotel offers four conference rooms, one that can accommodate up to 200 people.
For those wanting to explore the local area, the hotel staff can arrange tours. Here are some I highly recommend.
Mbale City Tour
The Mbale city tour makes a stop by the coffee bean landmark and the circumcision statues that represent a three-day cultural ceremony. They will also stop at Indian and African corners. Don’t miss the colorful, bustling local market, which sells produce, clothing and more.
Casa Lodge
This lovely lodge and farm offer a few tours and is part of a project called Casa de Tourista.
The owner, Naminya Saleh, ensures visitors learn about the coffee making process, from plant to cup, led by local farmer, Muhammed Mukusubi. While roasting the beans, I learned the difference between a light and medium roast based on the bean’s color.
I also planted a cacao tree, which will be ready for harvesting in three years—another good reason to return. At the end the tour, guests can enjoy coffee, nuts and bananas.
Culinary and Cooperative Experience
Casa also offers a culinary experience with local women to learn how to make a traditional lunch. Mukhaye Jamila and Loyce Khayemba showed me how to make Matoke with vegetables, including creeping yams, pumpkin and cassava from their gardens. Visitors will also learn about the women’s cooperative and how it’s helping to strengthen female entrepreneurial skills.
The ladies make you feel like you’re cooking with your grandmother with lots of laughter thrown in the experience.
Sipi Waterfall
There are two ways to reach this three-tiered waterfall, a two-hour hike or a shortcut that takes about forty minutes. I chose the short hike because of my limited time.
The waterfall consists of three cascades. At its highest point, Sipi Falls stands at 95 meters (312 feet) and brave souls are welcome to repel downward. On the hike, visitors can expect lovely views of lush green farms, hosts of banana trees and fascinating villages.
Sera Wild Farm
Coffee farming is a Sera Wild Farm legacy. Manager Daniel Woniala’s grandfather started growing coffee in the foothills of Mt. Elgon in 1926. Sera has over 4,500 coffee plates with eight of its 15 acres for coffee alone.
The farm also has 120 bee hives that produce honey.
Semei Kakungulu Museum
The museum highlights the prominent life of Semei Kakungulu, an environmentalist and a key figure in Uganda’s early colonial history. Spread across 3.5 acres, the museum features four heritage zones that celebrate the history, nature and beauty of the region.
Traditional Dance Show
A few dance troupes perform around Mbale, but since there were no performances during my visit, I watched the Elgon Ngoma Troupe practice for their upcoming show.
Children from ages nine to eighteen were dressed in black-and-white tops and skirts with vibrant blue, yellow and red flower patterns. One of the dances is from Northern Uganda, and balancing is the key theme. Four girls balanced clay pots on their heads while dancing, with one astonishingly holding five.
Though I was only in Mbale for five days, I would return in a heartbeat. The fresh food, relaxing garden, pool and fascinating tours of the area are among the many reasons to stay at Mount Elgon Hotel & Spa.
Know Before you Go
Some foreigners visiting Uganda can apply for an e-visa. Travelers need a yellow fever vaccine and proof of a return ticket.
Bring mosquito repellent and a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings, especially in November and December. I also brought Malaria pills with me as a precaution.
