Mamba Point Guesthouse, Kampala

If you’re in Kampala on business there are a huge host of options for accommodation available in nearly every price range. However, if you’re tired of the standard-package hotel ( that looks just like every other hotel in every other capital of the world) and want something a little smaller, quieter but still affordable then Mamba Point Guest House is the your choice. Many people have visited one of Kampala’s best known Italian restaurants never knowing that there’s a guest house right next door. Of course, this is part of the charm – the guest house is well hidden behind a high wall covered with ivy and once you shut the gate behind you you’re in another world. The amenities are moderate but it’s hard to think of something you might need and they don’t already provide. Swimming pool? Check. Small gym and sauna? Check and check. Excellent and free WIFI? Check. Satellite television? Check. Tea, coffee, hot water kettle, and small refrigerator in your room? Check all three. Free breakfast included in the price? Check. Small bar steps from your room? Check. Laundry that is returned promptly the next day with all pieces intact? Check. Air conditioning (not that you need it most of the time)? Check. The staff are helpful and accommodating without being overbearing. Need to leave your luggage for a few days while travelling up country? No problem. Need directions, a taxi, to know the cost of getting to Jinja? They have the answers. After a few stays it’s like you become one of the family and they remember and greet you by name. Located centrally in Nakasero staying at Mamba Point will mean that you’re still in the centre of it all without feeling like you’re in the middle of the city. It’s walking distance to a number of fine restaurants, coffee shops and the Garden City / Oasis malls. Cross over to the other side of Nakasero hill and you can be downtown in about a 20 minute walk. If you’re in need of meeting space there is a family-style living room and veranda as well as the restaurant next door where meetings can be easily held. The last time we checked there was a fair bit of construction going on in expansion of the kitchen and some of the other rooms but the guest house is very accommodating around this and there’s no drilling or hammering going on in the wee hours of the morning. The rates are reasonable for all of the above at $115 USD for a single and $150 USD for a double. Credit cards are taken but, like in most places, there is a small additional charge for using them. Make sure to book ahead of time as there are a limited amount of rooms and in the tourist high season it tends to fill quickly. Did we already mention that you’re steps away from some of the best Italian food in Kampala? Can’t beat that!

Having read all the reviews on this and another comparable website we opted to stay at Mamba Point in lieu of larger hotels in Kampala. We were not disappointed, Mamba Point lives up to its reputation and without "blowing sunshine" up Fiona and Guido's back-side - everything that is written on the other reviews is true. Our only criticsm is that it is not "free" but as Fiona pointed out "it is a busines".....it was worth a try. Mamba Point is sited around 15-minutes walk form Kampala city centre, and is far enough to be away from the hustle and bustle but close enough to be accessble. Taxi fares are cheap and efficient and if you want to take your life in your hands - then use a "boda boda". The staff and management are friendly and very helpful - nothing is too much trouble. Mamba Point restaurant is attached to the guesthouse and the food is excellent. Each morning breakfast is served on the terrace where all the guest sit at one table overlooking the pool. It is a marvellous way of greeting the day and enjoying a friendly meal. To sum up and coin another reviewers words Mamba Point is an "Oasis in Kampala"...............but don't take our word, try it.

I liked Everything and I didn't dislike anything! The people and the food were great lovely staff

As part of celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, we desired a quiet, beautiful, well-appointed accommodation. Mamba Point was perfect! The rooms were clean, comfortable and tastefully decorated. The food and service in the adjacent restaurant was exquisite. All of the staff were polite and helpful with the ultimate host and hostess being the owners, Guido and Fiona. They are genuinely interested in the well-being of each guest and are gifted at welcoming and putting guests at ease. We will definitely be returning to relax at Mamba Point!!

Everything all the other reviews say is completely true. This is simply the best place to stay in Uganda by far. Superb accomodation, service, food, surroundings.

Guido and Fiona live on the property, so attention to detail is apparent. It is quiet and peaceful, clean and friendly, secure and professional, and half the price of a big hotel. Free, wireless broadband lets me work on the veranda or by the pool. With just six rooms, booking well ahead is essential, but you will be rewarded for taking time to plan. Others staying here are professionals, and enjoying a chat over breakfast by the pool is an added bonus. The 45 minute trip from Entebbe to Kampala is challenging, especially at night. Email Mamba Point and they will have an affiliate meet you at the airport for $30. Having been here for one week, I will stay nowhere else on my next trip. The restaurant is an absolute gem, with home made pasta, and is on the property.

This has to be the best small guesthouse/hotel accommodation in Kampala (maybe in Uganda?). Guido and Fiona are extremely welcoming to all their guests and the guesthouse is an oasis of calm and tranquillity - if you've been working or travelling all day that's just what you need! And, to cap it all, there's wireless access to the Internet in all rooms free! Fast too. There are only a limited number of rooms available and they get booked up fast (but there are plans for more rooms in the future), so you have to book some time in advance. I won't stay anywhere else now. The Italian restaurant next door is very good too as is the local Indian restaurant.

When I stayed for the first time at Mamba Point, I was traveling with a group of six and we just had finished training one of our study sites in S Africa; in Kampala we were going to train the next site. Two of us stayed in Mamba Point. The peace and quiet that I found when entering for the first time the yard of Mamba Point were just like heaven, priceless. On my second visit, the owners made me feel even more at home, again of incredible value for someone who travels more than 50% of her time. In Dutch we say: �The exceptions confirm the rule�, and this is applicable for me with regard to the restaurant. I hardly ever eat dinner in the hotels where I am staying, except in Mamba Point. Just fantastic! I even ask people with whom I am going to have dinner to come and join me instead of going elsewhere. You may find all the �technical� details in the other reviews. And by the way, one never has to worry about a computer problem when staying at Mamba Point since Guido has a �magic touch�! Just go and discover for yourself!

[...] No need to say that Mamba Point is: 1) the perfect business environment (Thanks Guido for the network connection; next time I'll enjoy the beauty of wireless from the poolside !) 2) the most welcoming meeting place (I did not have to move around that much as everyone was keen on coming and enjoying the quiteness of your premises) 3) the best food in Kampala (beware of the wonderful bruschetta if your social partners do not make compromises with garlic!) 4) a home far away from home: Thanks to Agnes, Bena and Fiona for making me feel part of the family [...]

I am an experienced international traveler, however this was my first trip to Uganda. When I planned my three week visit a friend encouraged me to stay at Mamba Point. This was great advice! Each morning I chatted with other guests over the excellent (and free) cooked-to-order breakfast. Other guests who had been coming to Uganda frequently spoke of Mamba Point as their preferred location with good value and �head and shoulders above the other options�. For me it was a combination of personal attention by Guido and Fiona to every detail and providing a flexible base for my business activities. I traveled to 4 other locations in Uganda with over-nights in two. My clear preference is Mamba Point. Great value with privacy, superb service and amenities, security, free high speed Internet (+ wireless), great food (in Kampala ranked #1 in one review last month and one of only three 4-star restaurants in other reviews).