Edgar R. Batte
24 February 2008
Sometimes, life is ready to offer much more but we restrict ourselves to the same neighbourhood. Once in a while you'll need that trip out of town, not necessarily to visit relatives upcountry but to have some quality time in a serene environment.
There is more to life, than spending all your outings in the same joints and you could probably find it in the country (if you're the typical city dweller).
The Haven, Jinja's little 'heaven', is one of the options that could provide an option to routine life. Located on the peaceful side of the big rapids of the Nile, the hideaway is something of a spectacle.
At the edge of the mighty Nile, you'll come face to face with the captivating beauty that blends an experience of the country and spectacular scenery of the green and the white foam of the water rapids, as the waves wildly hit against each other at a distance. Over the weekend, you will sometimes see rafters, and with the sun setting, it is a marvellous site.
To get to this hidden beauty, you'll drive a 15-kilometre journey, from the tarmac road that branches off directly opposite Nile Breweries main plant in Njeru. Along the stretch, there are signposts that lead onto a murram road where you'll branch off for the last three kilometres to The Haven through a village.
At the afternoon hour, you won't have to take lunch indoors. Lunch is served at the veranda where guests enjoy the meal as soft rock music plays on. There are other pleasant distractions such as birds flying over Africa's longest water body. Bird watching for types like the fish eagle, king fisher et al, is but among the number of activities visitors to the western bank of the Nile engage in.
For matters of the plate, there is European cuisine with a touch of Africa from meat, pasta, fish along with fresh fruits and vegetables grown on site and from the host village. There is a stocked bar with an array of drinks ranging from soft drinks, wines, spirits to beer.
You can choose to sit back and relax on the neat green lawn that stretches on the three kilometre expanse that is dotted with a number of growing trees that were probably planted at the opening of the hideout one year ago.
If not, while at the river lodge, you could trip down to the river shoreline for leisure fishing in the fresh waters. This comes with some thrills, particularly fishing out the Nile perch using professional equipment like the fishing boat, a fish finder, Honda 4-stroke motor and rods for trawling.
You can also take on canoeing expeditions of the island that open you up to the village lifestyle as locals go about their farming or opt to take a swim in the cool water which is particularly enjoyable at sunset.
And if you're the withdrawn kind, then sunset could catch you at the restaurant balcony which offers an ideal setting to take it slow as you do some leisure reading. There is a library within the artistically crafted interior, with reading materials about bird species in Africa and the wild among other historical collections.
Better still, you can do some surfing, check and send out mail or simply chat, at twilight. If it is a friends' or family retreat then you can raise the energy levels with sports like darts, volleyball, football or badminton in the well-kept lawns before nightfall.
At the evening hour, some guests choose to take walks around the place or down the river as they wait for sunset while they watch over the still water and birds flying that add life to it. Meanwhile, those who would have gone for forest walks will find their way back.
There is artistic touch on almost everything here. The rooms are uniquely themed to cater for different guests. For those on honeymoon, it is a 'lovey-dovey' setting. The cottage walls are fitted with stone and the roofs are grass thatched which keeps the interior cool.
The beds are made using concrete. On the outside, at the veranda, are swings fitted with cloth and held in the air by bamboo-like timber and hanging potted flowers on the sides. There are also luxury rooms themed to host families, with accommodation of up to six members.
It could be once in a month or for a weekend every fortnight but it does pay to reward ourselves. Getting away to places like the haven is self-rewarding and rejuvenating.
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