Africa Wild

Uganda-Rwanda – The Mountain's Gorillas

We had an appointment at Entebbe Airport, sad memories, from all over Europe "called Central" by someone, 1 French, 3 English, 1 Dane, 1 German, and the English girlfriend of a guide, three tour guides, but a person was missing ! the surprise was enormous when we saw arriving a German grandmother over 90 years ... for camping !
Travel Agency (Belgian) belonged to one of my clients and I have been spoiled. We were all there to see the last mountain gorillas, in particular those of Dian Fossey which was murdered in 1985. The entrance to the park is expensive ... the benefit of maintenance of gorillas. First night we camp on the shores of Lake Victoria, with opposite, Kenya... The teams were formed, there were three 4x4 vehicles and a small one for the girlfriend of the leader guide/cook. The Francophones in a car, three English in another and the 3 last in the third.
We traveled +/- 15 days of trails/roads through Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) to arrive in Kigali, Rwanda and reach the Volcanoes National Park. Back in Ngamba Island on the shores of Lake Victoria in the Chimps sanctuary, according to the red trail on the map. The blue track was at that time and even now may be too dangerous for tourists. We have not seen many animals, they were all so scared of us ... wars leave scars ... apart from the scavengers who were following us and an Hippo charging !

the map

the first camp

"abricot des singes" I can't find the name in English... sorry
Palm-nut Vulture/Palmiste africain, can't remeber I saw this beautiful Vultures
old king house
carpet maker

This sounds all very interesting, Nan

I think that this flower is the same one. I saw it in Pnom Pehn

Hiya Nan and Lis, I think your flowers are from the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis), also referred to as the Buddha tree flower (which makes it sacred).

photobucket is not cooperative this morning

Oops I forgot, just before leaving ... we have a flat tire, but I assure you, this was the only one ! And a view of the entrance of "my" tent, lux, one bed, a table , the toilet and the shower are just behind... too far for me

En route to the first camp in the wild, far from civilization, we stop "en route" for the picnic. Some Colobus, play hide and seek, it is very difficult to photograph, they are always moving and so beautiful when they jump from tree to tree, all the hairs in the wind !
and again Palm-nut Vulture/Palmiste africain







à suivre...
my mouse have also problems to copy/past -O

We encounter the first wild beasts ... at the table, a family, Dad injured his right front leg, luckily mom is clever. Seeing us, she tried to hide, the Topi in the bushes, but they were again all thrown on the prey, once the fear passed, she had to wait, the end of the feast




And a huge Python, who had just dinner too




The camp is in sight, all the tents are already mounted, we take possession of our luggage and our "rooms". I am very fast, the night comes, I don't like the night and as always the toilet is too far for me ... (10-20m) ... since there, I carry a chamber pot

The next day we set off in search of chimpanzees with a guide from the corner, armed with stick and a gun, In the valley of Maramagambo Forest. We must cross the river, infested with hippos and certainly with crocodiles, with the means at hand. Not easy! For the guide no problem, he did it all his life. Chimps, we perceived some, especially heard the alert each time we were too close. They give a great blow on the trunks which impacts far and wide. They have walked us, across the valley ... naugty Chimps

Maramagambo Forest
the guide... easy
the Danish
the girls

for the return, the guide kept all the cameras for crossing the river -O

Then we cross the Equator, with his eyes still heading south. For many moons my only desire is to head south, the hot ...

we would like to try sugar cane


where is the owner

En route to the next camp

a gate, but don't remember where
stop loo/wee -O



Waterbuck/Cobe de croissant
Red Lechwe/Cobe de Lechwe

the diner is ready
Hadeda Ibis/Ibis hagadash

and some Ellies... very scared Ellies





one more for the dentist... for a good price -O