Cassia Lodge

Cassia Lodge is a small hotel on Upper Buziga Hill in the south of Kampala, chosen by many guests for one thing: the view. From the hill you look out over Lake Victoria and across the city, and the lodge is laid out to make the most of it, with a terrace, a garden and a swimming pool overlooking Kampala.

The lodge is compact, with ten double and ten twin rooms in its main room list, which can also be booked for single occupancy, and triple arrangements on request. Every room has a shower, Wi-Fi, cable television, and full breakfast is included in the rate. The official Visit Kampala listing mentions rooms with balconies and panoramic views, so ask for one of these when you book.

The restaurant and bar serve the lodge's guests and outside diners, with meals taken on the terrace when the weather allows. The Visit Kampala listing mentions barbecue areas and theme nights, and games such as table tennis, darts and billiards for evenings in. Facilities include parking, an airport shuttle, a 24-hour front desk, concierge, room service, a conference room and a standby generator.

Because it is away from the city centre and its traffic, Cassia Lodge works best as a quiet, relaxed base, and as a first or last night in Uganda for travellers arriving at or leaving from Entebbe who want to avoid central traffic. It suits couples, independent travellers and small groups who prefer a small, personal hotel to a large one, and the conference room can host a small meeting or workshop. The pool and gardens are pleasant places to recover after a long flight or a safari.

Buziga is a residential hill between Munyonyo and Ggaba on the lakeside southern edge of Kampala. You will need a taxi or driver to reach the city's sights, so allow for traffic when planning days in the centre. Speke Resort Munyonyo and the lakeside restaurants of Munyonyo are nearby for a change of scene. Book by phone or through the lodge's website, which lists rates in US dollars for each room type before tax.