Tucked away on a lush island in the heart of Lake Bunyonyi, Paradise Eco-Hub is a serene haven for travelers seeking peace, nature, and a touch of adventure. Surrounded by the lake’s glassy waters and terraced hillsides, this eco-conscious retreat offers a perfect blend of comfort and sustainability. Whether you’re waking up to birdsong, enjoying a canoe ride across the lake, or watching the sun dip behind the highlands, Paradise Eco-Hub invites you to slow down and reconnect—with nature, with people, and with yourself.
Built with local materials and designed to tread lightly on the environment, the Eco-Hub is more than just a place to stay—it’s an experience. Guests can enjoy delicious farm-to-table meals, participate in community-led tours, or simply unwind in a hammock under the stars. The hub also welcomes passionate volunteers from around the world to join in various activities, from helping with environmental projects to assisting in local education and cultural programs. With warm hospitality, breath-taking views, and a strong commitment to eco-living and community engagement, Paradise Eco-Hub captures the soulful essence of Lake Bunyonyi—and offers an unforgettable escape from the ordinary.
There’s plenty to get involved in at this project, but no pressure, you’re free to choose the activities you feel most comfortable with.
Teaching & Mentorship
Make a lasting impact by supporting lessons at Bwama Primary School and Lake Bunyonyi Secondary School. Share your knowledge in subjects like English, science, and life skills while inspiring students through mentorship and personal connection.
Eco-Tourism Awareness
Help promote responsible travel by educating visitors about eco-friendly practices and local conservation efforts. Your contribution supports a sustainable tourism model that protects the environment and uplifts the community.
Women & Youth Empowerment
Lead or assist in workshops designed to build skills, boost confidence, and create economic opportunities for women and youth. From entrepreneurship to creative arts, your support helps unlock potential and foster self-reliance.
Tree Planting & Reforestation
Join efforts to restore and protect the natural beauty of Lake Bunyonyi by planting indigenous trees and supporting reforestation initiatives that help preserve biodiversity and prevent soil erosion.
Eco-Toilet Project
Contribute to a healthier environment by assisting in the construction and promotion of dry eco-toilets within the Lake Bunyonyi catchment area—an essential step toward improving sanitation while conserving water.
Waste Management & Recycling
Be part of meaningful change by educating local communities on sustainable waste practices, including proper disposal, recycling techniques, and composting methods that reduce pollution and promote cleaner surroundings.
Permaculture & Organic Farming
Get your hands in the soil and support local food sustainability by maintaining and expanding organic gardens. Through permaculture principles, you’ll help promote eco-friendly farming and greater food security for the community.
Swimming Lessons
Support water safety and confidence by helping teach swimming skills to both children and adults in the calm waters of Lake Bunyonyi. It’s a fun and rewarding way to promote well-being and save lives.
Kayaking & Boat Tours
Assist in maintaining kayaks and guiding guests on scenic, safe, and eco-conscious water adventures. Share the beauty of the lake while encouraging responsible tourism practices.
Hiking & Trail Maintenance
Help preserve the natural charm of the island by maintaining and improving hiking trails. Your efforts keep these scenic paths accessible, safe, and enjoyable for both visitors and the local community.
Photography & Storytelling
Use your creative eye to capture the spirit of Paradise Eco-Hub. Document volunteer work, community projects, and the stunning surroundings to help raise awareness, support outreach, and share inspiring stories with the world.
Lodge Assistance
Lend a hand with the day-to-day operations of our eco-lodge, from welcoming guests to assisting in the kitchen with delicious, locally inspired meals. It’s a great way to gain hospitality experience while supporting sustainable tourism.
Cultural Exchange Nights
Bring people together by helping organize lively evenings of music, dance, and storytelling. These sessions offer a meaningful way for volunteers and locals to connect, celebrate culture, and share unforgettable experiences.
Eco-Hub Marketing & Social Media
Help us share our story with the world! Assist in creating engaging content—photos, videos, and posts—for our website and social media platforms, helping raise awareness and support for the Eco-Hub’s mission and projects.
Rabbit & Poultry Farming
Take part in caring for rabbits and local chickens as part of our sustainable food production efforts. It’s hands-on work that supports food security and teaches valuable animal husbandry skills.
Beekeeping & Honey Production
Get involved in maintaining beehives and harvesting natural honey while learning about the vital role bees play in the ecosystem. Your efforts help promote pollination and provide a sweet, sustainable resource for the community.
Cow Care & Dairy Management
Assist with feeding and looking after the resident cow at the Eco-Hub. From milking to daily care, you’ll gain insight into small-scale dairy management and its role in sustainable living.
Biogas Installation Project
Join an exciting initiative to create clean energy by helping plan and set up a biogas system. Using organic and animal waste, this project turns everyday by-products into a renewable energy source for the Eco-Hub.
Nutrition & Health Education
Promote wellness by sharing practical knowledge about healthy eating habits, using locally available and affordable foods. Your guidance can make a lasting impact on community health and nutrition awareness.
Fitness & Sports
Encourage active lifestyles by organizing fun and inclusive sports activities for students at Bwama Primary and Lake Bunyonyi Secondary Schools. From football matches to fitness games, you’ll help build teamwork, confidence, and physical well-being.
Medical Camps & First Aid
If you’re a qualified medical volunteer, you can assist in community health outreach efforts, including basic health checks and first aid education. Your skills can help improve access to healthcare and raise awareness about essential health practices.
At Paradise Eco-Hub, the weekly contribution is slightly higher than other projects with $300 per week compared to the usual $250, but that’s because it includes a more comfortable and upgraded experience. You’ll enjoy delicious meals from the à la carte restaurant and stay in a private room with its own bathroom, offering both comfort and privacy during your volunteer stay.
Paradise Eco-Hub is a very popular choice among volunteers, thanks to its unique setting and meaningful experiences—so spots tend to fill up quickly. If you’re interested, we recommend registering early to secure your place!
We do things differently from most volunteer organisations. We are not in Uganda to make money — our mission is to help people. That’s why the cost to volunteer with us is very low.
In return, we ask you to show us why you would be a valuable addition to our projects. If we feel you can bring something meaningful, we will be delighted to host you!
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch with us anytime via WhatsApp or email — we’re happy to help!
Upon arrival in Entebbe or Kigali, a representative of Joeboentoe will be waiting for you to take you to your lodge (if you arrive late) or to take you to your project (if you arrive early in the morning). The same applies to the return flight; we can only rest easy knowing that you are safe and sound on the plane on your way home. Therefore, our representative will drop you off at the entrance of the departure hall of Entebbe or Kigali Airport (as far as we are allowed to go) so we know that you are well and truly on your way home.
We are frequently asked if it is possible to stay one or two nights in Entebbe after arrival to acclimatize. This is of course not a problem; just let us know when you register, and we will arrange a stay in a nice lodge. The cost will be about $25 a night.
We have multiple local project coordinators who are available 24/7 to provide assistance during your stay. We also have a Dutch representative of Joeboentoe who lives alternately at Lake Bunyonyi, Masaka and Entebbe and he will be available for questions that the local project coordinators cannot answer. He will regularly visits you to see if everything is going according to plan.
Upon arrival at Entebbe or Kigali Airport, a Joeboentoe representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your project or to a lodge in Entebbe to recover from the journey.
At most projects, there are two accommodation options available: either on-site at the project itself or with a host family in the surrounding area. In both cases, you’ll have a clean room equipped with all the essentials—most importantly, a bed with a mosquito net. Simple breakfast, lunch and dinner are ALWAYS included.
If you choose to stay with a host family, they will warmly welcome you into their home, eager to share their traditions and learn about your culture and customs. You’ll share a (Ugandan) breakfast and dinner with the family, making it the perfect way to fully immerse yourself in Ugandan culture and enjoy a truly unique experience.
We carefully select host families near the project or school. The family receives a good contribution for hosting you, so they’ll do everything they can to make your stay comfortable and memorable.
The minimum age for volunteering is 16, there is no maximum age.
If you want to come with a group of people (two or more participants) and stay together in a volunteer house or with a host family, we will have to make special arrangements regarding your accommodation/project. So let us know when you register!
The most important requirement is that you are a calm and loving person, ready to help where needed. Age is not an issue here.
We emphasize that it is very important to be flexible during your stay in Uganda. An open mind and the will to help where needed are good qualities to have, this will help you get the most out of your time as a volunteer and be of the greatest value to the project.
Personal appearance is important to Ugandans, so we want you to dress appropriately. In Ugandan culture, a woman’s knee and thigh are something special, so please cover them. For men; shorts are worn by boys, so if you want to be seen as an adult, wear long trousers. To everyone; travel light! Uganda has many second-hand clothing markets, so just buy clothes when you are here and help the local economy at the same time!
Remember to be respectful and considerate to the people you interact with. The staff and community members you work with will have different cultural values than those you are used to. The ‘woke’ ideology of the West is not appreciated, so no ‘I identify as…’ or any outward display of sexual preference. It is not appropriate to kiss your partner in public, holding hands or a hug is no problem. If you are attracted to the same sex and are afraid to come to Uganda; there is no need for that. People generally do not care, as long as you keep it to yourself.
Another thing you have to learn to deal with is time. To be more precise; time is flexible, waiting is fine and ‘I am on my way’ can mean that the person will arrive sometime this week or within five minutes. This also applies to our local coordinators, even though we try very hard to make them more Western in the way they deal with time. So don’t get frustrated, but let our Dutch representative know if you are constantly having problems with your project and/or coordinator when it comes to time.
You are going to live and work in Uganda and based on the length of your stay this is either a work permit or a tourist visa. It is important to discuss with your insurer what your coverage is.
Uganda is a strange country when it comes to volunteer work. When we receive a registration from Uganda, the person assumes that there is payment for the (voluntary) work. This is also the reasoning of the government and for that reason obtaining a volunteer work permit is extremely expensive (2500 dollars per year!).
Thanks to our partnership with the Catholic Church, our volunteers fortunately do not have to pay these kinds of amounts. Depending on the duration of your stay, there are two options;
Short term; you come as a tourist and help (without receiving a salary) during your stay. This VISA costs 50 dollars per three months. This VISA can be renewed two times (a total of 270 days).
Long term; for a stay of one year or longer, we apply for a work permit for you in cooperation with the church. Via the church this costs 250 dollars per year.
In Uganda, some types of medicine are not allowed, so please be aware of this and discuss this with your embassy. Most medicines are easily and cheaply available in Uganda; in most cases, you do not need to bring them. Of course, we will advise you on these topics if anything is unclear.