Here Are Some of the Reasons Why WestNile Region is a Beautiful Place for Tourist Destinations and Business Ventures.

Surprise! Big Surprise. That is what Arua is to a first-timer in West Nile. Tucked away in the northwestern part of Uganda, Arua City is an echelon of its own, a quiet giant that is grossly underestimated. Seated 494km away from the noisy Kampala, Arua City is a perfect escape from the grind, pollution, and sickening traffic jam of Kampala. 

After a punishing 8 hours on the road that left my butt heated up, we finally arrived in the buzzing Arua City. To everyone’s surprise, Arua was full of life, buzzing with activity, and had all the amenities that you could possibly want for a get-way. 

The feel was different. The air was unique and the night wore a tint of rebellion. It was big, green, and clean. Our ignorance of this beautiful town had given us the false impression that it was akin to Arua park in Kampala. We thought Arua was simply a business center where the people live, breathe, and die of business. Far from it, it had more- and more.  

Beaten and broken by the long journey, and having arrived at 12:45am, we quickly made our way to the great Heritage Park Hotel where we were warmly received and chauffeured into our rooms.  

The blend of the sweet smell from the abundant flowers at this Hotel and the old wood laying in the ceilings of this Hotel gave it a romantic feel. You almost felt as though you had stepped back in the Old Testament. 

The infusion of modern and classic art pieces, the architecture, and the feel of this place epitomizes the fact that Kampala is not the capital of recreation. Arua is by all measure of excellence grossly underestimated. 

While en route to this town, I had asked my friends on Facebook to give me ideas of places I could visit. Two particular spots stood tall among others. White Castle and Bamboo Village. I visited these two places to get an impression of why people seemed to love them. I was amazed. 

Bamboo Village. This one is a small beautiful nature-themed bar and restaurant that is everything cool is made of. Conveniently located on the popular Enyau Rd, Bamboo is the heart that pumps the blood of fun in Arua town. This is the place where the middle class eat away the night. 

The beautiful wooden furniture, the cool breeze slipping through the many flowers in the place, the fresh and diverse meals served at this spot, all of which are budget-friendly, make it the go-to place of all fun-loving people. 

There is something sweet about this place. You will find all colour of the people, connecting and sharing an experience. Bamboo is not just a bar and restaurant, it's an experience.  At night, the neon lights give it such a romantic feel, giving revelers an ecstatic experience. 

Everything at this spot has a theme and it’s carefully crafted to give a client a reason to come back. It’s truely different. I loved it. Anytime you are in Arua, visit Bamboo village. 

I then went to White Castle Hotel. Ugandans, when you have an opportunity, please visit Arua. This Hotel is home to an expansive and refreshing garden filled with varied, beautiful trees and flowers that immerse you into another dimension. 

The Hotel has a swimming pool, serves continental dishes, and offers everything you will want in the noisy Kampala. What stood out for me at this place was the garden. It's perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have been to. The trees, the air, the stream flowing through, and the chimes of birds nesting above make it unique. All nature lovers, this is a place to be. 

Arua still bears the beauty of its original plan. Unlike Kampala and other towns that have been suffocated by concrete in the name of arcades and malls, Arua still has space, it breathes and I hope, they are not tempted to fill its skyline with glasses and tiles in the name of Development. Arua is fresh. It is alive. 

Forget the buildings. Forget the green. Arua’s people are the real deal. They are generally welcoming, happy, and carry a positive vibe. T

The influence of Congo can be seen in their business acumen, the love for nice scents/perfumes, and jewelry. The people were fast, business-oriented, and pleasant. 

Growing up, studying, and working in the southern or central part of Uganda, there is a temptation to think the beauty of Uganda is mostly in the central or where we were born. As you travel, you start to appreciate that far from what you believed, there are places in this country that you grossly underestimated. Arua is one such place. 

Perhaps due to the distance and connections, not many people from the south get to travel there and appreciate its beauty…but Arua was different, Arua is different and Arua will always be different. Visit Arua.

 

In part 2, I will talk about my journey back. Had a stop at Pakwatch to buy and enjoy onang nang, we drove through the beautiful Kabalega/Murchison Falls national game park, visited the falls, and had an opportunity to see some animals. I fell in Love with Uganda more, after watching this part of the country.

Source; Henry Mutebe.