As the rest of the world plays catch up with ‘global warming’ and mandatory energy saving light-bulbs remain the ‘new’ key to a guilt free future, wind-generator engineer, Rainer Holst, has been battling the elements in Uganda to utilize the country’s rich potential for renewable energy in order to create a ground-breaking eco-lodge on the banks of the River Nile.

Over an extra strong coffee and a Milka bar, the swarthy, unassuming eco-techy from Bremen, Germany, told me of his vision in creating an ecologically sound tourist destination in East Africa and, in the broader sense, the benefits of sustainable natural energy for rural communities throughout the continent.

Whilst traveling overland from Cape Town, Rainer stumbled upon the sleepy town of Jinja, nestled as it is, around the fabled ‘source of the Nile’ on Lake Victoria. Immediately taking to the place he put word about with the locals that he was looking for a plot of land to build a ‘lodge’; the only stipulation was that it overlooked a waterfall.

His philosophy from the outset was such that the environment should not be compromised by a project like this and the local community should gain from any work his moving into the area brought. Luckily, official ‘permits’ and ‘depositions’ were dispensed with quickly once a plot had been isolated and work began in earnest on providing the first ‘community incentive’.

“The real test in the early stages was trust,” Rainer says, “Before I started even building here I had to make a 3km road from the main highway to prove I meant business!”

The idea of another ‘muzungu’ white face riding rough-shod into town and messing with the balance of things clearly did not fill the inhabitants of Kirugu, Iganga and Namyajji villages with relish and at first they were skeptical. But, as Rainer brought the diggers in and more work was promised the balance tipped in their favour. A decent road, it seemed, was the one thing the villagers never believed possible.

During construction, unskilled labour was easy to come by and there was no shortage of brawn. For more skilled work such as carpentry and plumbing, however, Jinja town provided ‘expert locals’ to train those who were willing to learn ‘hands-on’. As construction continued 24/7 for nigh on a year the skill base of the surrounding villages’ workforce increased tenfold and, in the absence of ‘capacity-building workshops’ to halt proceedings, the first phase was completed on time with relatively few hiccups and a handful of renewable deliverables.

Now, one and a half years after construction on the road commenced, the lodge, aptly named ‘The Haven’ is up and running. It comprises a restaurant bar area with commanding views of the waterfalls, a communal bathroom block, with showers, basins and toilets, one double and one twin ‘banda’ hut, and four luxury ‘banda’ chalets with en suite facilities. Each building is constructed out of brick and cement and mimics the circular form of traditional mud huts prevalent in the region. Entirely powered by solar panels and tastefully finished off with a pale ochre wash and crazily paved stones underfoot, the effect is something of a ‘brave new world’ in frontier eco-living.

What is particularly impressive about this set up, however, is the ingenious rainwater storage system above the bathroom block and restaurant. Essentially the traditional conical roof has been upturned to create a cavity in which the rainwater collects and is siphoned down into collection tanks for use in washing and showering etc. Because of the lay of the land the water is successfully pumped to all the buildings from the restaurant block, which stands at the highest elevation in the camp.

To add to the luxury ‘vibe’, hot water is available throughout, created by simple boiler units atop each building, constructed from a defunct electric boiler, a length of piping and a solar panel. This kind of technology is not difficult to come by in Uganda nor is it expensive, but Rainer has had mixed reaction to his ideas from the local community.

“It’s like science fiction to them,” he muses, “But they don’t realize everything I use is recyclable and from around here, except the solar panel, of course, but that is easily brought in from abroad through Kampala!”

Rainer’s ideas may not hold water with the ‘power-mongers that be’ in the capital but the rainwater collecting system already has some advocates in the village. Through a series of open days he has enthused with some local leaders to turn their roofs upside down instead of sending their womenfolk down to the riverbank to collect water and goodness knows what parasite lurks there. So far, though, no change is evident.

“It’s early days,” he says, “I am happy to be here as an example for now. Later on, the technology we use may be of some use in other rural areas but it will still need to be learned from somewhere. Here is the best place to start; in the community.”

The Haven caters to the slightly more discerning traveler or weekend retreat seeker, with the tariff ranging from lazy camping (tents with beds) at $40 a pop, double bandas at $50 per person and the new luxury double bandas with en suite facilities costing $75 per person. Unlike other lodges, though, the price includes early morning tea; a slap up German breakfast with all the bread, crepes, jam, honey, Nutella, eggs, ham, salami, cheese and coffee you can eat; a two course lunch; and a three course dinner prepared with local produce by German chef extraordinaire, Mark Matheaus, whose CV boasts an impressive array of high class European eateries. He has his own reasons for joining Rainer on his quest:

“I’d had enough of city life and was looking to be with nature” he shyly concedes, “I brought my pots and pans from Germany and a few extra ingredients; the rest is around me. What more do I need?”

What more indeed?
The Haven is an eco-friendly, self sustainable river lodge and restaurant committed to maintaining a healthy balance with nature and a good business sense within the community. It is roughly 20km north-west of Jinja and about an hours drive from Kampala city. Whichever way you look at it, it is definitely a place worth seeking out, if not for solace or curiosity then at least to renew your own recyclable energy levels with their tasty Teutonic take on breakfast platters!

Find out more at www.thehaven-uganda.com
Or call Rainer on 00256 - (0)78 290 59 59