What makes the Peal of Africa unique in Kampala?

The Pearl of Africa is the first 5-star hotel in Kampala and it has a number of features which make it stand out, starting with the fact that every guest room has a view of Lake Victoria. This has been achieved by siting the tallest building in Uganda at the top of the highest hill in the capital city. However, it not just the views that make the hotel unique – it has world-class luxury facilities that no other establishment in Uganda can match, including a gym, spa and indoor swimming pool in addition to three outdoor pools. Because the Pearl of Africa stands on a 14-acre site adjacent to the State House, it is in the most secure area of Kampala.

The Pearl of Africa hotel is the only establishment in Kampala to have a tennis court, squash courts, a basketball court and a dedicated wedding garden. The hotel has become a firm favourite with honeymoon couples but has a whole floor of business meeting rooms, in addition to a ballroom that can seat up to 600 diners. The strategic location of the hotel makes it an ideal hub for visitors who need easy communications to other parts of Uganda, like Lake Victoria, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the forests and islands. The staff of the Pearl of Africa Hotel are particularly knowledgeable about their country and take pride in answering every guest question fully, while offering invaluable tips and insights.

What is the concept behind the Pearl of Africa?

When we identified the architect who could execute our concept, our brief to him was clear: we wanted a hotel property that would set an entirely new standard in hospitality for the whole of Africa and which would give our guests an assurance of quality that they could not find elsewhere. We have a greater choice of rooms and suites than any other hotel in the sub-region, higher standards of service, and unrivalled food and beverages in a variety of settings. Above all, we have committed to ensuring that every guest gets great value for his or her money. Everything about the Pearl of Africa is on the grand scale, but friendly service is also key. The spacious reception atrium is a great place to watch what’s going on in the hotel, while the Atrium Piano Bar and 15th-floor executive lounge, with its spectacular city views, are perfect for discreet meetings. The ground floor sports bar serves drinks and pub food, while the all-day restaurant and specialty grill have sumptuous spreads of freshly cooked delights.

What is the state of Uganda’s tourism industry today?

Tourism and hospitality are the fastest-growing sectors of the Ugandan economy and an increasingly important employer of skilled labour. Some of Uganda’s natural wonders are on every discerning traveller’s bucket list, like the mountain gorilla habitat of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the vast expanse of Lake Victoria. However, our greatest asset is the rich cultural heritage of the people of Uganda and their traditional practice of welcoming visitors to our country as honoured and cherished guests. Few visitors to Uganda fail to make further visits, and repeat business from old friends will be a key driver in the growth of our tourism industry in the future. Uganda is already expanding and improving its road network, but improved highway infrastructure and better highway lighting will make it easier for everyone to get around the country.

What makes Uganda particularly appealing to British visitors?

Although there are about 50,000 visitors to Uganda from the UK each year, this is just a small fraction of the potential. British visitors feel at home because almost every Ugandan speaks idiomatic English and many of our people have historic ties to the UK. No other country in Africa has as many different species of wild birds as Uganda, and the abundant supplies of organically-produced food, tea, and coffee make the country a delight for people who appreciate healthy fresh food. More needs to be done to tell Uganda’s story of biodiversity to the rest of the world and to help people in the UK understand that the climate is sunny and invigorating throughout the year. No first-time visitor to Uganda fails to express their surprise at how green the country is throughout the year. Many people expect to find dense jungle, or semi-desert and instead find green open savannah, beautiful freshwater lakes, abundant wildlife and spectacular mountains.

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How safe is it to travel in Uganda?

In many parts of the world, sadly, whole neighbourhoods of certain cities have become no-go areas for visitors and even local people. Uganda, however, has enviable security in all of its towns and cities, and visitors feel at ease moving around most areas at any time of the day or night.