For a couple of decades, the mention of Busiika triggered a familiar memory – a montage of motorcycles skidding off the rugged, muddy track, suited up riders frantically racing for a jackpot while elated motocross fanatics cheer by the sidelines.
Motorsport, with the two disciplines – motocross and rally racing – is largely what Busiika was known for, events that drew in thousands with utmost anticipation every single time.
Motorsport, however, is still not quite the event that boasts a great deal of popularity particularly in Uganda, it’s dedicated, undisputed fanbase notwithstanding.
Then came Extreme Adventure Park.
Loaded with lots – something for everyone; young, old, energetic teenagers and youths high on their own adrenaline, Busiika has since become the “IT” destination for family days out, team building getaways for companies, foodies looking to have their fill, couples yearning for a relaxed vacation and random adventurers on a quest to conquer whatever.
Located about 40km North of Kampala on Gayaza-Zirobwe road, Extreme Adventure Park – Busiika is the new story; the fresh Go Karting track, the kill or be killed ground where survival instincts come alive in the paintball session, the test of wuthering heights at the high ropes obstacle section, the bungee trampoline that brings out the inner child in us and the quad bikes that summon back the off-roader dreams among other game options.
Adventure and Community Development Entwined
With over 10 outdoor adventure activities and other indoor games, Extreme Adventure Park has over the course of 12 years expanded its territories and so did her service to the community in which it thrives.
Sourcing all its 165 employees from Uganda with 60% from Luweero where it’s based, the company has transformed lives of locals through employment, increasing local content revenue through produce purchases and other line value chain inputs.
According to the Sales and Marketing Manager Robert Atuhairwe, the company proprietor Mrs. Evas Mugisa Orland also runs an NGO that supports underprivileged children in Busiika with school fees in schools around the community.
“The vision bearer here is dedicated to bettering the community. When Extreme Adventure Park works on a road, the community benefits, when we acquire more workers, their families also earn. Her foundation pays fees for close to 65 students at schools within the community. We uphold the spirit of ubuntu in that ‘we are because the community is’,” Atuhairwe told PrimeNews in an interview at the Park.
Atuhairwe also noted that the park is not just entertaining thrill seekers but aims to nurture talent among young people through giving them access to training grounds and professional trainers.
This is partly going to be done through educational trips for schools, which are to be launched soon.
“We give children a glimpse into the careers that many wish for. For example, how many children have met and interacted with a pilot? We are making such engagements happen. Some kids watch karting or Formula 1 on TV but here we show them a real track and the kart. So. just like schools book trips to agricultural centers, we are also availing them with our side of career shaping,” Atuhairwe said.
He added, “People see Formula 1 stars and they question how they made it, well, the start is at the track. We give kids educational career trips here at Busiika where they meet professionals that inspire their dreams. We also have botanical gardens and farm sections where children can actually learn that chicken is not just picked from the fridge.”
More than just a sports park; Extreme Hospitality
Extreme Adventure Park combines adventure with sports tourism and leisure.
The Park treats it clients to sumptuous meals and beverages served right at their full-fledged restaurant where a la carte and buffet are options. Beverage bars that serve coffee, juices, cocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks are also fully operational.
Evenings are for barbeques.
After a long day of adventure or laid-back relaxation, clients can choose from the wide range of the Park’s accommodation options which are quite affordable with inviting amenities.
The camping ground which is a long walk away from the sports ground, gives residents a quiet and serene environment to relax.
Not your typical tent on grass set up, the tents are raised on slab basement with permanent hangings. Furnished with beds and other effects, the single tents go for Shs 150,000 and double Shs 200,000 per night.
“These tents give someone the feel of sleeping outside the block house but also not your usual camping experience,” Atuhairwe said.
Washrooms with hot water and standard facilities are on sharing basis outside the tents. A campfire sitting area graces the front yard next to the dining lounge overlooking the vast field.
The poolside cottages come in single, double and twin occupancy. The singles go for Shs 300,000, double at Shs 380000 and twin Shs 350,000 per night.
All these packages come with bed, breakfast and swimming.
“We also have the honeymoon packages and other offers for people celebrating engagements, anniversaries and the like. These start from Shs 450,000 a night, for bed and breakfast, fruit basket, nonalcoholic wine, flight surprises, and local travel among others as per clients’ needs and preferences,” Atuhairwe noted.
He added, “we have our handy helicopter flights, let’s say a client is residing here but wants to go to Bwindi or Murchison quickly, it doesn’t have to take them the 8 hours of road travel. This makes their experience a bit more seamless and their stay a lot more enjoyable.”
Bolstering Sports Tourism
Speaking at the launch of their Kampala Liaison office in November 2024, Mr. Geoffrey Sseremba the Under Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities noted that government is committed to developing more tourism products, adventure and sports tourism being among the focus areas.
In his message read by Mr. Sseremba, the State Minister for Tourism Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka noted that Extreme Adventure Park is a grand example of a sports tourism destination as it combines adventure, sport and hospitality.
The Minister noted that the sports sector is massively contributing to the government’s drive to diversify tourism products in a bid to increase visitor spending.
Future plans
When you think you couldn’t be any more spoilt for choice, Extreme Adventure Park discloses new additions and near future plans for more adventure sports.
“We are planning on opening a skating ring and having skating lessons. It is a sport which hasn’t had a home ground for training for it to be nurtured as a sports discipline in Uganda. People do it on the streets but we want to train professionals here,” Atuhairwe said.
He noted that the company is also considering introducing the MGP racing bikes which have already been tested and worked fine with the Go Kart track.
“We are also looking at introducing virtual games in 2025 as well as a kids corner. This is to cater for various interests of our clients. We are trying to see if we can have rugby played here or be a home ground for some sports teams, maybe basketball or volleyball because we have all the amenities,” he said.
Hosting schools’ sports days is something the Park is introducing especially for school which have various campuses.
More accommodation facilities are also under construction to keep up with the increasing number of clients.
Challenges
One of the major challenges the facility faces is the uncertainty about the sobriety of the clients, considering the nature of the games which requires a sober mind.
“When someone runs into a problem when they are here, we are liable for that. That’s the reason we don’t sell alcohol here because it would be hard to control or regulate who takes and who participates in a sport. As a sports facility we know the regulations so we kicked out alcohol even if that means losing out on some clients,” Atuhairwe explained.
He noted that it’s no secret that many people would rather enjoy a day out when they have had a drink, “however, participating in these adventurous games under the influence of alcohol jeopardizes one’s decision making and subsequently, their safety.”
Other sports offered by Extreme Adventure Park include; swimming, archery, target shooting, power jump, wall climbing, board games, zip lining and sky diving.
