May would not have felt complete if we had not welcomed another memorable guest within our hospitality initiative in Uganda (Kampala).
Our guest, originally from Côte d’Ivoire and currently residing in South Africa, represents the kind of cross-cultural profile we deeply value, because exposure always enriches shared experiences and conversations.
We first met through a mutual friend who connected us several months ago. Earlier in December 2025, we had the opportunity to visit his hospitality initiative in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). In return, during a work mission in Kampala (Uganda), he decided to extend his stay and experience our short-stay rental unit in Luzira.
The day before his arrival, we shared a simple itinerary of activities designed to structure his day:
- Morning walk in the Luzira neighborhood (lake views and green pathways)
- Visit to local gardens and plant shopping
- Souvenir shopping
- Evening jazz session
- Cinema
As always, there is a difference between what is planned and what actually unfolds.
Morning Walk: Discovering Luzira Through Nature
Our guest arrived at 7:45 AM. After settling in and dropping off his luggage, we immediately began our walk. We explored Luzira through a 6 km stroll. Passionate about plants, our guest was in awe, delighted to see homes surrounded by lush greenery and flowers.
We stopped at the floating island, Samaki Beach Lodge, and a local garden where we purchased plants. Interestingly, our guest even helped us select a few plants for our own rental units in Kampala.
Plant Culture and Garden Discovery in Kampala
Around 10:00 AM, we took an Uber to Nyala to visit a colleague whose sister shares a deep passion for plants and flowers. The experience was remarkable. We had never witnessed such a high level of investment and professionalism in gardening. Every detail had been carefully designed from layout to structure. What struck us most was the diversity and uniqueness of the plants and flowers on display. We eventually left at 1:00 PM, again with more plants than planned.
Lunch Experience at Latitude 0 Kampala
By then, it was lunchtime. We debated whether to return home to drop off our purchases or go directly to a restaurant. Hunger decided for us.
We headed to Latitude 0 Kampala for lunch. As expected, everything was excellent and well-executed. For our guest, it was his first visit, and he fully enjoyed the 2.5-hour experience.
After lunch, we stopped at The Banana Boat, a shop dedicated to handcrafted gifts and souvenirs made by local artisans. It became clear that our guest is not particularly fond of shopping, judging by the speed of his purchases.
Something that struck us both was the fact that the sellers were unable to explain the meaning behind the name of their shop. From a business perspective, this is a concern, as staff are the face of the brand and should be able to embody and communicate its story and values.
Nevertheless, our guest left with a few decorative baskets.
Evening: A Quiet End to a Full Day
By 5:30 PM, we were back home, exhausted. We took time to rest and refresh before deciding on the evening program.
At 7:00 PM, we reconvened, both uncertain about going out despite our shared passion for jazz. Eventually, we chose to stay in and opted for a home cinema experience. We first selected a movie that did not quite convince us, and ultimately settled on Gladiator II. That marked the end of the day.
Reflections: What Curated Hospitality Really Means
Curated hospitality can be demanding, but when framed as an exchange of lived experiences, it becomes transformative for both guest and host. We learned more about plants and discovered new places to source them thanks to our guest. In return, he discovered Luzira, as well as several beautiful dining and shopping locations in Kampala.
What more can we ask for?
As this story shows, everything began with a connection—one that evolved into a meaningful host-guest relationship, and is now growing into something richer: mutual sharing, support, and lasting memories. All of this belongs to the essence of our curated hospitality experience.
The Nana Heritage 