Friday 27 February 2009

Packages and Ugandan postal 'service'

There have been packages posted to us here in Uganda which have never been received.

I just wanted to let everyone know who has sent a package, such as items requested for the college computer lab, that none have arrived. We have received no packages, only letters, since early autumn. A couple of staff members check the PO box and both can be trusted completely. The fault will lie with the post office, most likely here in Uganda.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Uganda trip report

Danny's daughter, Kathleen, and her husband, Riaan, visited us for the first two weeks in February. Aside from a couple of 'glitches' we all enjoyed the trip.

On the trip which began with an overnight stay in Kampala, we visited Lake Mburo National Park, Mbarara, Katara Lodge in Kichwamba (near QENP), Mweya Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp near the Ishasha gate for QENP, Kibale Forest, Fort Portal, and spent the last night in Entebbe.
Since there were only 4 of us we used our own car and Danny did most of the driving including game drives, Riaan also helped drive.

Most of our accommodation rates included 3 full meals a day--full breakfasts, 2 or 3 course lunches, and dinners which included a starter, soup, main course and dessert. Most of us are all a bit larger than we were at the beginning of the trip.
Photos are in this album:http://flickr.com/photos/anniedanny/sets/72157613832067430/detail/

A detailed trip report is in a separate blog:
http://ugandakathleenriaan.blogspot.com/

Highlights

  • Seeing elephants close up on the Ishasha game drive, including one which became annoyed at us for being in its ‘personal space’.
  • Hearing the tale of Riaan hanging outside the car window on Mweya QENP game drive and coming too close to a lion lying nearby!
  • The local family entertaining us at Ishasha with dancing and drumming.
  • The refreshing pool at Mweya with an amazing view over Lake Edward.
  • The delighted reactions when we spoke any of the local language.
  • Seeing elephants on the shoreline of Lake Edward.
  • Having a long, hot shower at Lake View Hotel after 2 days w/o washing. Ewww…
  • Meeting other tourists.
  • Being in accommodation where we actually got COLD beer.
  • Having loads of laughs with Kathleen and Riaan. Nothing to do with beer consumption…..
  • Soaking in the clawed tub whilst enjoying the view of the Rift Valley at Katara Lodge.
  • Listening to the animal sounds at night from our rooms or tents.
  • The absolutely incredibly gorgeous meals at Mweya, Katara, Arcadia Cottages, Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp, and Primate Lodge.
  • Walking through the tangle of branches and vines trying to keep up with our guide in Kibale Forest in search of chimps.
  • Hearing the chimps calling to each other.
  • The highly energetic traditional dancing at the Primate Lodge.
  • Listening to the lions at a not-too-great-distance from our tents early in the morning at Ishasha River Camp.
  • Winding down the trip at the Airport Guesthouse in Entebbe and just hanging out in the lovely gardens and on the comfortable porch
 

Sunday 15 February 2009

On a tour of Uganda.....

...with Danny's daughter, Kathleen, and her husband, Riaan.
We travelled mainly through western Uganda with them for two weeks and they flew back to the very cold UK this morning. A complete trip report will be posted when it is completed, as will the many photos be uploaded to my Flickr album.
This elephant is very annoyed with us for blocking his way. Baboons grooming each other. And, of course, the tourists who are very thirsty from all this wildlife tracking!














Wednesday 4 February 2009

On safari

We are currently travelling around Uganda with Danny's daughter and her husband. Our itinerary includes the national parks of Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth - including the Isasha area, and Kibale Forest.

Photos soon!