9/18/09 Scary driving, back to the city

We did a morning game walk for two hours, which was great. Samuel, who was our guide for all the game excursions with his handy AK-47, took us on a walk-about through the bush. No paths for us! We went up another beautiful hill, from where we could see all kinds of animals. They won't get as close to you on foot as they will in the car, but we did see many, and actually heard a leopard in a stand of bush/trees. Samuel chambered a round - a good adrenaline rush, there! We saw hippo tracks about a mile from the Lake - that's a long way for a 3000 lb animal!

We left Mantana at about 1:30, and had the ride of our lives. The traffic was MUCH heavier than on the way, and - remember the no-traffic-rules situation - mostly I had to look down and not out the windshield! We would be going 120 km/hr, passing another car on a 1 1/2 lane road, with a huge bus or semi fast approaching in the other lane, bodas on the sides, 2 year old naked children wandering around, and animals all over the place. It took us 5 hours to get to Kampala, another TWO hours to just get through the city and to Father's House. I was totally stressed and went to bed EARLY. Then the imam at the mosque down the hill decided to chant for a half hour, and the disco kicked in! wow.

9/17/09 - all day safari!

Safari actually means "Journey." We had several! We did morning and evening game drives, with a boat trip on Lake Mburo in between. 6am wake up at the tent with hot coffee and hot milk, and lots and lots of animals: zebra, warthogs, impala, bush bucks, water bucks, reed bucks, daika, topi, small mongoose, cattle, birds, water buffalo, many varieties of birds, hippos, crocs, fish eagles, baboons, monkeys... wow! It was a great great day!

9/16/09 - Safari, roads, and other musings

Off to Lake Mburo! We are taking Suzanne on a much needed rest. The woman is on the go ALL the time, and doesn't need much sleep (I envy that!). Our 3 hour drive is actually six... thank the roads and rain. We did stop at the Equator, which was cool! Uganda is one of only 10 countries that spans the Equator, so it's not likely to happen often. We didn't shell out the 3000 shillings to do the "water test" - see the water go down the funnel in opposite directions on the north and south sides. We walked across the road on the line... we assume it IS the actual line, but who really knows?!

We arrived at Lake Mburo National Park, and after Suzanne having to renegotiate entry fees and other such African-ese items, we go through the gate to Kimbla-Mantana Tented Camp. We aren't 100 yards down the road when we see zebra! Then impala, warthogs, water buffalo... RIGHT THERE, in nature! How cool is that?! We arrive at Kimbla-Mantana, get out, walk to the boma where the bar, dining, and lounging areas... and hear the alarm on the Land Rover! The vehicle is going backwards, into the trees, and camp staff is frantically running. Emma, Suzanne's friend and our driver, races over as well - for some reason the car turns, and then goes through a stand of trees without hitting any! Quite exciting... LOL

We had planned to do a game drive after a very late (4pm) lunch, but it is raining, so we are "forced" to relax. The tents are wonderful - up on platforms, with a bed area, a dressing area, a bush toilet, and a shower area. There is no running water or electricity - they run the generator when people are there in the evenings and mornings, and bring hot water for your shower, and cool and hot water for the sink. Zeke and I got to the boma to relax and read, and Suzanne takes a walk - ON the paths... you are expressly forbidden to step a toe off. I was starting to get worried when she returns - and relates a face to face encounter with a mad lone water buffalo! She has had plenty of excitement for the day! After our late 3 course lunch, we have a 4 course dinner - amazing, since they are cooking on charcoal and propane, with every single item brought in! To bed under mosquito nets, with warthogs and other critters all around! (The camp isn't fenced, so the wildlife is up close and personal!)