s'more safari

My safari in February now seems like quite an age ago, but it is always nice looking back at photos.I realised that I have jumped around a bit with my previous safari posts, so I am going to try and go through it in a bit more of an orderly fashion this time.

The last RUT (Robyn's Ugandan Tours) experience was five days, so we did a wee loop around western Uganda.

Our first stop was Mhingo Lodge at Lake Mburu. So beautiful. No real chance of seeing big game, but lots of hoofed animals; antelopes and zebras, breathtaking views and great food. Kerry (my very important client) and I were both very sick but we still managed to fit lots in
.

Tracker Purdie

We were lucky enough to gain another safari buddy, Nick, for the trip. He was then able to drive (and stop!) for us on our journey West.

Our next stop on safari was camping at Queen Elizabeth National Park. We only went here for one reason, to spot lions! So as soon as Kerry and I were better we set of on the hunt.

We also saw lots of ele bottoms at QENP



Celebrating our 'spots' at bush lodge



After all that hard work we deserved to be pampered and went to the newly opened Kykinga Lodge near Fort Portal.  As soon as I arrived I wanted to stamp my feet and scream, "You can't make me leave!".

We did leave though.

The Name Game

As tour guide of RUT, I pride myself on my ever growing knowledge of African wildlife.

"That one is a lion. This one is a lioness. Over there is a giraffe."

After over a year in Uganda, my knowledge is expanding and I can now name quite a few birds (mostly water birds) by sight and even by sound, thanks to my twitcher friend Sven. The hadada ibis (the clue is in the name!) being a good one for beginners, yet will still gain impressed nods from those novice safari-goers around you.

My African Adventurer then tried to take my enthusiasm for spotting one step further and started to test  my knowledge on acacia trees! I have a long way to go (!), but he obviously can see my potential, as has suggested I try and gain my safari guide badge once I am in Kenya (don't tell me if there is no such thing!!). My friend Kerry laughed out loud (a bit too loud!) when she heard this. Yes, indeed, it may be a bit harder than gaining our Girl Guides cooking badge at the age of 12...but I am up for a challenge!

My most recent RUT customers were a bit harder to please than some! How was I to know that one client, Nick, had spent over 20 years in Africa and knew a hyrax when he heard one (not a hyrux) and an eland (not an islander!) when he saw one? (All were slips of the tongue...honest!). We had a bet in the car on which animal we would spot first on safari; I said the Ugandan Kob...surely a easy win. Not, as I found out 5 hours later, when you are in Lake Mburu National Park (like we were at that time) and they don't have any! Bugger! Nick did continue to try to steal my thunder on a couple of occasions, but I wowed him with my extensive knowledge of trees!

It might take me a while to settle in to being a safari guide in Kenya; I think they have different giraffes there!!!

Topi

Ugandan Kob

Spotting from the Hide at Lake Mburu

The battle of the ultimate safari guides!

Lions, Tigers and Bears. Oh my!

Fine, I've seen parades of elephants and giraffes galore. But I just can't get sick of safaris. I saw another beautiful saddle-billed stork this safari and lots of black and white zebras (opposed to the white and black ones!) More importantly, I was having such a laugh with my friend; giggling, talking nonsense,sharing secrets and putting the world to right.

But I know that everyone has their own check list of what they want to spot on safari and my VIV, (very important visitor) Kerry, only had one wish for our safari. To see a lion. I nodded my head, "sure, no problem," I said.

I secretly had my doubts of finding them. Ugandan lions aren't always sleeping on fig trees for easy spotting.

However, within the first 15 minutes of entering Queen Elizabeth National Park, we found three sisters.

They even tried for a kill, but I think the land rover that came and parked in front of the girls put them off a bit (!) and the young Kob got away, unaware of being so lucky!

One of the sisters we spotted at the mating ground.

Once we checked 'lions' off the list, we were able to get back to other important holiday duties, like sunbathing and swimming in lakes!

RUT Returns

Now that RUT has returned to Kampala, my car has decided that it needs a break to recuperate, so I am taking it to the garage! Good timing!


Here are some snaps from our trip. Our safari is over, but the holiday is not, so I will write more soon.

 
Today my VIV (very important visitor) is white water rafting down the Nile; it is the last weekend before the new dam destroys Bujagali falls. I decided against it!


Instead I, like my car, am resting and recuperating.

Election Explorations

A sudden change of plan...Kenya will have to wait. RUT (Robyn's Ugandan Tours) will be taking on a special client in February after all.

Yes, the elections are taking place and in many other countries this wouldn't be a frightening time, but the truth is, this is Africa and we don't know what will happen. Some people say that the process will be calm, as the outcome is 'known' already, corrupt as it is. Others are heading to the beach, just in case, or stocking-up in airtime, water and money, ready to camp in the house.

I hope and think that any loud outcries and demonstrations will be in pocketed areas and we may not even hear about these. I hope.

Either way, RUT is going ahead. It was an easy decision in the end because...it may be one of the last RUTs and I want Kerry to see where I live, meet my friends and I want to show-off Uganda! Plus, I have found that it is so much cheaper than safari in Kenya, I also know Uganda...and all the roads not to take (isn't that right Tania, Mum, Dad...ha!),I am pretty good at planning and was able to sort out our holiday in a few hours.

 I cannot wait!

The driver come guide (that is I!) has selected two new places to visit:

We are going to head to the Crater Lakes first, to Kyaninga Lodge. I think it looks great and have been wanting to go for a while.

We are then going to camp in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, (I've never camped here before) to go and hunt lions. This is quite a mission, as there are only about 750 lions in the whole of Uganda, but is a special request from my client, so I hope I can find one!

We are then going to one of my favourite lodges in Uganda; Mihingo Lodge to pamper ourselves and find some white and black zebras..and also EAT LOTS...the food is so good!

A couple of photos from my last visit to Mhingo...

 So, this is what I will be doing at the end of next week!

Beautiful Uganda

RUT are back from another successful safari.

I sometimes think that I am not exploring enough of Africa or taking full advantage of the continent I live in. But as soon as I leave Kampala, I am reminded, once again, of the beauty that Uganda boasts. I will, soon, leave Uganda to explore more of Africa, but just now I am more than happy to play host to friends and family visiting the Pearl of Africa.

This is my Africa; I love showing it off and I know I am so lucky to live here!

But...as always the tour guide/driver has learnt a few lessons from the recent safari:

• When writing the packing list for safari clients, be VERY specific; even list possible accessories. (The phone call the night before my parents left Kuwait to come on safari:  "Diamond ring, to bring or leave?" asks Mum!!)
• Plan no more than four hours of driving a day. Just because it is an inch on the map, does not mean it will not take you all day! 10 hour days are too much and may compromise the tips!
• Don't warn clients of flying creatures and their nasty habits, it just makes them paranoid of tsetse flies and the such like.
• Never tell clients that you have just seen a snake when you are having sundowners, wait and tell them the next day!
• Do not rely on clients remembering to carry mixers for sundowners; rather than a G&T you will end up with soda water and no gin...solution, do EVERYTHING yourself!

By the end of the safari, my VIP guests were pros at spotting the birds and game; they could even tell the difference between a waterbuck and an impala, or a giraffe and an elephant!!! I joke, I was very proud of my novice safari clients...only once did they not come out of their tent as they were worried about stray buffalo climbing to the top of a rock! Well done Mum and Dad!

Some photos of our trip, if your interested.



We tracked the rhinos on day one. Mum was busy checking out
which tree would be best to climb if need be!!



Then we headed to Murchison to spot giraffe and see the falls. 



On route from Ndali Lodge we got a puncture, mum kept herself
busy as the photographer for the trip.



We spent our Christmas at Ishasha

Elephants enjoyed splashing around by the river at our camp  -
safari from the comfort of the bar...ace!



Christmas morning safari in Ishasha-  spotting sleepy lions
(My blog won't post these photos for some reason!)



Our view of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park



More elephants, this time on route to Lake Mburu



One of our favourite lodges, if not our favourite, was Mhingo Lodge
 at Lake Mburu.



Binos at the ready!!!

My two favourite times of the day; sundowners and morning coffee.



Safari guide is on holiday until February.
Kerry...it is your turn next!

Christmas safari

RUT (Robyn's Ugandan Tours) will be setting off tomorrow morning. I feel a little bad as I have not got one wrapped Christmas present in my bag...so unlike me. Instead we (my parentals and I) will just enjoy spotting lions in trees on Christmas day!

My mum saw a toad tonight and jumped...we are off to see the giraffes, hippos, buffalo, lions, gorillas and more...wish me luck!

Merry Christmas!

A mini African Adventure

I recently met a modern day Denys Finch Hatton ...all that is missing is his Gypsy Moth! So I jumped at the chance (ok, that is not quite true-more like beaten into submission!) at the offer of a mini adventure in Nairobi; a place that although close in locality to Kampala, is a million miles away in every other sense.

There is something very special about being able to turn right out of a city street, to drive through a park gate and five minutes later be able to go lion hunting or to picnic with the giraffes...I saw 21, but who is counting???

Or to have sundowners with new friends on the Ngong Hills...cold as it was, it was beautiful... and gave me a chance to wear my Barbour coat that Jo sent me!!

A mini road trip for sundowners on the Ngong Hills





This is a good picnic spot!

The African Sky

All in all, well worth missing the Christmas staff party for!  Now, just a few more days before I can show off my improved safari skills to my parents, they arrive for their RUT on Friday!

Counting down

I have been re-watching Ewan McGregor's 'A Long Way Down' -I love it! It makes me excited about all my future travels and adventures in Africa. I am so lucky to live here and have it all on my door step...bit of a bugger that us teachers don't have long holidays though!!!

But, I have just over 4 weeks left of school before my Christmas holiday, until... you guessed it...safari!!!

I am now realising that I better start writing my 'to do' list, stuff I have to do before then; take car to the mechanics, post Christmas cards, pay for accommodation, make mince pies, paint guest bedroom..!

I was hoping to have a weekend away out of Kampala in these 4 weeks, you know, to relax with my friends before my parents arrive (only joking!!!) but with birthdays,10km road races (and the training!!) pantos, cook club and ceilidhs, there is just no time.

So, I will be counting down the days until the arrival of my VIP guests. Where we will see lots more of these...



Tania's great photos from our October safari.