Our Story

Founder of Euphorbia, Pascal Jobogo, has been on an incredible journey. It’s hard to imagine that so many twists and turns could have happened in one person’s life. When you meet Pascal for yourself he can bring the full story to life over dinner under the stars.

Originally from the village of Katana in Eastern Congo Pascal was one of 24 children! His father was village chief and a grower of coffee and all was well until political conflict saw all of their family money taken. Pascal turned from school to helping with the other children and eventually left home to earn money, going to work 350km away at the Hotel de la Rwindi in the Virunga National Park after training in hotel management in Tunisia.

Learning hotel management and cooking skills over the coming years Pascal became a talented chef, returning in 1979 to the Congo to start training people in restaurants and hotels there. During this period he met so many people that have changed his life including the famous Primatologist Diana Fossey (of the film Gorillas in the Mist), famed conservationist known for her undertaking of extensive research into the lives and behaviours of the Mountain Gorilla.

From Rwanda, Pascal went to Brussels in Belgium and Barcelona where he started his first adventure in tourism. During his stay in Belgium he worked with the European community as a chef.

In 1993, he relocated to Uganda where he opened several restaurants and hotels. These Included Restaurant Le continental, Hill crest Hotel, Hotel La Renference, and USAID Uganda Cafeteria.

In 2007, he started AJ tours and travel, which he still runs today. One of his early clients was Ghyslaine Keiser, a woman travelling on safari from Switzerland. Driving across the Kasenyi Plains in search of big game, Pascal took her to the fishing village of Kasenyi. From that day a whole new story began. Ghyslaine made a real connection with the village after a teenage girl approached Pascal to discuss money for her education. She made the decision to help put better education, sanitation and medical facilities in place and within just two years had built the primary school which now educates all of the village children. Ghyslaine asked Pascal for his help, needing support with the language, knowledge of the country and a contact on the ground who could help pull these projects together and keep them running.

With this phenomenal partnership, he acquired the land, upon which he has built Euphorbia Lodge, his dream for many years. His intention is to train children in hotel management who cannot afford school and those who drop out at Kasenyi village.

With its large main lodge, bar, restaurant and lounge area looking out over the park, together with its cosy cottages, Euphorbia and Pascal provide a warm welcome, a home away from home, and many a story to soak up. We can’t wait to welcome you.