The soft rustle of forest leaves, the soothing notes of a saxophone, the gentle roar of the Nile in the background and the aroma of freshly grilled food in the air, this was no ordinary Saturday. It was the beginning of something new. The belt downstream of the Source of the River Nile, long known for its adventure spots and laid-back charm, hosted its first high-end brunch experience last weekend at Adrift Uganda River Club.
The result was nothing short of extraordinary. For the first time, brunch lovers were invited out of Kampala’s city hum to immerse themselves in a new blend of nature, sound, taste and style. The event, sponsored by Tanqueray, blessed an evolution in Uganda’s leisure and lifestyle scene. A destination brunch, one of the kind usually reserved for the glossy pages of international travel and food magazines, was now playing out in real life, right on the banks of the Nile. In Kampala, brunch has positioned itself as a social ritual with equal parts culinary indulgence, fashion showcase and weekend therapy.
But this event facing the chaotic but beautiful Itanda Falls reimagined the experience entirely. Set in the wild serenity of Adrift’s riverside property, surrounded by trees and kissed by the breeze of one of the world’s most iconic rivers, this brunch was designed to escape the ordinary. “We have done city brunches over and over again,” Philip Okude, one of the revellers, said, “but this is refreshing. You get good food, great music and space to breathe. You feel alive.” The organisers behind the brunch say the Itanda Falls limited edition was a test of concept: Could brunch be more than just a meal in the city? Could it be an experience that travels, engages with nature and tells a story?
Sakata Band laced the event with smooth saxophone notes, guitar
melodies and improvisational charm. PHOTOS | FRED MWAMBU
Judging by the turnout and reactions, the answer was a resounding yes. The entertainment of the afternoon came courtesy of a live jazz band from Jinja’s famous Sakata Band. They laced the event with smooth saxophone notes, guitar melodies and improvisational charm while miming. Their music did not overwhelm, it enhanced. It gave people rhythm to sway to the backdrop for conversations and moments of stillness to savour the scenery.
A lifestyle upgrade
Couples danced barefoot on the grass. Friends clinked glasses. Some simply watched the Nile flow past, lost in the calm. In one corner, a cocktail bar served a selection of refreshing gin-based creations, most infused with herbs and citrus to match the fresh, outdoorsy vibe. Others had a chance to learn the art of mixing cocktails. But the drinks, while a delight, played a supporting role to the overall ambience. At the heart of the event was, of course, the food. The culinary spread offered everything one could wish for in a modern brunch. But what made the brunch at Itanda tick was not just what was on the plate or in the glass but the feeling of being part of a movement. A lifestyle upgrade of sorts. A new way of enjoying natural beauty while embracing modern and stylish leisure.
Friends clinked glasses as they enjoyed cocktails by the Itanda Falls.
“We want to make this a regular fixture, rotating it to different destinations,” Nancy Nansikombi, the brand manager of Tanqueray 10, told revellers. “Imagine brunch in the middle of the Queen Elizabeth National Park or with gorillas in Bwindi. We are creating memories, not just meals,” she teased. The success of this edition has already sparked excitement among lifestyle lovers and travel enthusiasts who, at the end of it, reluctantly made their way out. Many paused for one last selfie, one last sip or one last gaze at the violent waters. It was another reminder that Ugandan leisure and tourism is evolving and that there is joy in slowing down, eating well, listening to music under open skies and discovering familiar pleasures in unfamiliar places.
