Kosupa Travel

Across Africa, there are countless places where untouched nature and traditional cultures still thrive. For travelers seeking an authentic African experience, Sina Village in Uganda offers exactly that.

Located about two hours by car from Uganda’s capital Kampala, Sina Village is a unique community complex. While not officially designated as a village in administrative terms, it functions as one, bringing together young people from across Uganda to form a vibrant community. For visitors, the real appeal lies in being treated as community members rather than hotel guests, offering a precious opportunity to experience simple rural life away from urban bustle.

Here’s my detailed account of staying at Sina Village.

What is Sina Village?

Sina Village is an ecotourism facility operated by a local NGO. While named a “village,” it’s not an official municipality but rather a facility designed to function as a village-like community. The compound features traditional-style houses available for visitor accommodation (recently renovated with a more polished appearance).

The village serves as a place where young people from Uganda and abroad come to learn about business while interacting with each other. Residents study business principles in classroom-like settings, engage in farming and livestock activities, and participate in volunteer work and community development projects. However, it’s more village than school – there are no permanent teachers, and residents act autonomously.

Visitors can participate in daily activities like farming, cooking, and household chores alongside residents. The surrounding area also offers beautiful natural landscapes perfect for activities like birdwatching.

Location of Sina Village

Sina Village is located slightly inland from Lake Victoria’s shores in southwestern Uganda. It’s about an hour’s drive from Kampala with frequent minibus service making access relatively easy. The nearest airport is Entebbe International Airport, though the connection is slightly complicated, taking about two hours total. I chose to take this more challenging route directly from the airport to Sina Village. https://maps.app.goo.gl/TvVZeXP5uQ9bNsfaA

The Journey from Entebbe Airport

Accessing Sina Village requires some effort. First, take a taxi from Entebbe International Airport to Nakiwogo port in the village of Lugonjo along Lake Victoria. From there, take a boat to Sazi village on the opposite shore, then catch a motorcycle taxi for a 20km journey along unpaved roads to the village of Mpigi. The roads can be particularly challenging during rainy seasons.

First Leg: Taxi to the Port

The taxi ride from Entebbe International Airport to Nakiwogo port takes about 10 minutes. After getting a local SIM card at the airport, hail a taxi to take you to the port.

Crossing the Lake in a Local Boat

From the unmarked Nakiwogo port, you can choose between chartered boats or local passenger boats to reach the village of Sazi on the opposite shore. While chartered boats aren’t excessively expensive, I chose the local passenger boat for a more authentic experience.

The boat departs once full of passengers. It’s a very local service – I was the only tourist among locals of all ages, along with substantial cargo. The children seemed particularly curious, perhaps never having seen a foreigner before.

The boat is very basic without rain protection, so bring rain gear in case of weather. My bag got slightly wet from lake water seepage – try to keep belongings dry as African freshwater can be unsanitary.

The journey takes about 30 minutes. While not a long distance, the manual-powered boat moves slowly. Embrace the leisurely pace and enjoy “Africa time.”

To Be Continued

This article covered the journey to Sina Village from Entebbe Airport to Nakiwogo port and the local boat crossing. Stay tuned for part two, where I’ll describe the rest of the journey.

Note: Some time has passed between my visit and this post’s publication. Current conditions may vary.