Cobati Uganda Cobati Uganda                 adopt a community project in Uganda
Maria Baryamujura is an Ashoka Fellow

Visit Uganda: Homestead Tourism

Uganda Homestead

Unique Travel Experience

Travelers to Uganda enjoy various attractions including year around beautiful weather and mountain gorilla trekking. One of the most unique and memorable experiences is a visit to a village homestay. Experience the traditional family way of life and economic activities of rural women as heads of households and custodians of traditions and indigenous knowledge. Their resilience and commitment to extended family and community have kept the African family intact through centuries of adversity.


Reservations

Select a homestead and contact us at Community@CobatiUganda.org to make a reservation (online form coming soon).


  Homestead Tourism


The “homestay program” arose from the need to provide affordable and decent accommodations for travelers to rural areas. With support from the MTN Uganda foundation, COBATI initiated a “Homestay Model Homes Program,” whereby selected homes are upgraded to a level where they can host tourists. The home’s members are trained in visitor handling, food nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, and waste disposal resulting into improved community hygiene. It is expected that the opportunity will economically empower the home members and also act as an avenue for cross-cultural exchange among the hosts and visitors.

  Uganda Homesteads


A homestay is ideal for individuals and small groups who wish to experience the rural lifestyles of Uganda. Tourists are hosted in homesteads where they are exposed to local cultures through hospitality and partaking in day-to-day household and community activities. The program is a means for visitors to experience the rural and traditional Ugandan way of life, and for residents to share their cultural heritage and benefit from tourism. The visiting guest pays the host family. The family keeps 80% and the balance goes to a community fund that supports a local primary school.

  Plan your Visit


Visitors are welcome overnight or for the day to participate in the many available activities. Reservations are required for all visits. To make a reservation, please select a homestead and  contact Community@CobatiUganda.org (online reservation form coming soon).


Homesteads

Bombo     |   Ishanyu
Kajugira   |   Mutabazi

Coming Soon - COBATI is working with the Kahima family to prepare their homestay.

  Homestead Activities


There are many exciting things to do when you visit a homestead. For overnight guests, many activities are included in the nightly rate. For daytime visitors, activities are available for a small fee. Each homestead offers different activites. Please see the individual homestead pages for a list of available activities. Below is a list of the activites you may find.

  • Traditional greeting ceremony
  • Local food cooking lessons
  • Story telling
  • Basket weaving lessons
  • Hair braiding
  • Henna painting
  • Beading
  • Cow milking
  • Livestock herding
  • Honey harvesting
  • Butter, ghee, and yougurt production
  • Banana wine brewing
  • Coffee picking / drying
  • Village walks / scenery viewing
  • Social activities - wedding, harvesting
  • Volunteer - teaching, painting, building repair, craft instruction

  Prices


Prices are in Uganda Shilling. See a price in your currency.

Homestay
One night’s accommodation: UGX: 30,000 per person per day
(includes bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, water, tea/coffee)

Activities
• Basket weaving lesson (1 hour): UGX: 10,000
• Cooking demonstration (1.5 hours): UGX: 10,000
• Guided community walk (1 hour): UGX: 10,000

Food and Beverage
• Traditional meal (without meat): UGX: 10,000
• Traditional meal (with meat): UGX: 15,000
• Nubian coffee and snacks: UGX: 5,000
• Bottled water: UGX: 700
• Coffee/tea: UGX: 700
• Soft drink: UGX: 1,000

*Prices subject to change without notice.

There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Payment is due in local currency to the host family.