Uganda – Pearl of Africa
Leaving the gorillas in Mgahinga National Park behind, we headed north through the Biwindi Impenetrable Forest and then the endless tea plantations in the hills of southwest Uganda, before entering Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here we camped for three days on the bank of a river full of hippos, eying cautiously the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which lay just across the narrow river. Because of this we were accompanied by armed guards (hippos or rebels? We are not sure).
Driving north through the park and on what has now risen to the top of our “Billboard of Bad Roads”, we visited the Kalinzu forest for a birding hike. Thirty minutes in, we were lucky enough to come across a group of chimpanzees. Box ticked. David and Francine very happy.
Heading north again, we stopped for a boat trip on the Kazingu Channel for more wildlife spotting and then a meal in a ropey-looking restaurant, which actually turned out to be excellent. Leaving the park, we drove along the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains, which unfortunately at this time of year, were mostly obscured in mist. At Gulu, our new friends Dominik, Katharina and their son, Henry, very kindly invited us to stay for a super Valentine’s weekend, including a delightful meal out on the 14th.
Continuing North, we have now arrived in Kidepo National Park in the far north of Uganda. What the park lacks in animals, is made up for by its magnificent savannah landscape. From here we will head south towards the capital, Kampala, on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Uganda has been a very pleasant surprise. The terrain in the south west is spectacular and the savannah of the north equally so. The people have been welcoming and very friendly. Banking is straight forward, as is obtaining fuel. However, we now realise that we were totally spoilt by the shopping in Zambia. It is much more of a challenge here in Uganda to find anything out of the ordinary, and good quality meat. We shall stock up in Kampala!
What a wonderful time you are having!! Great to get your exciting news! Such a welcome change from the gloom and doom of Covid restrictions and statistics everywhere here in Europe. Valencia Communidad has now had closed borders for a month ( mas o menos) and we’re not allowed to mix with another household…all bars and restaurants closed and all shops close at 6pm…ho hum. But after the bungling start and continuing mismanagement of the pandemic in UK ( well, England now – as we hardly get any news about the rest of the UK!) , Boris and his team have finally stepped up to the mark with the vaccine programme and that’s going well. Scotland seems to have managed it much better with fewer deaths and cases per capita, but she is a hard taskmaster. There is much speculation about whether SNP may be in line to win the next election.
We are very lucky to at least have space to be outside and are not stuck in a small flat with half a dozen young children to home school! Unsurprisingly, there has been a significant increase in mental health problems and perhaps , a less known fact is that domestic murder is on the rise…..watch out Fraser!
Take care, and carry on enjoying your fabulous trip! Lots of love, Jean and Fraser xxx
Hi Jean (and Fraser),
We are very pleased to be in Africa, and not Europe during these troubled times! Although we would like to get the jab as soon as we can.
We remember visiting to you in Spain with fond memories. We will come again in happier times.
Dave
We adored Uganda. You can get anything your taste buds desire in Kampala, we couldn’t believe it actually. Are you going to the source of the Nile in jinja, we loved it there. Our school is close by xx
Yes we are going to Jinja. Could you send a pin for your school? Dave
Yet another interesting tale to tell and I loved it!!!! Think that was the beginning of the mating season with the hippos!!!!!! Everything going OK in Singapore and virtually no Covid but I go for my jab on Monday!!!
Thank you Jean. Glad you are getting the jab.
You have certainly covered some ground in this blog.
Yes, the road through Ishasha is quite adrenalin inducing especially in the wet but quite character building. Rather be there than here. Which I was a year ago today.
Hi Fred, the road from hell!
Lovely to read your up date and sounds as if you are continuing to have a fantastic time. As g
Has been said before … in some ways would rather be there than here ,
!! But I am aware that you adventures are challenging and character building and I do quite like my home comforts … Francine think it is about time we arranged another video/voice call. It is Friday and the beginning of my long weekend. Very much looking forward to it, but has been a bit driech and raining pretty heavily most of the morning.
Thanks Louise. F will be in touch shortly. Dave
Amazing!
Wow!
Another amazing adventure, chimpanzees are a big favourite too.
It looks stunning, however the roads sound scary everywhere! I might not grumble at the huge pot holes we have here after all!!
Take care
Pauline & John xx
I don’t think we can grumble about our roads too much having experienced what African’s have to put up with 🙂