In search of lions and elephants

Monday we set out for Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda.  We left Kigali at 6 and allowed plenty of time for the journey, we actually arrived just after 4 that afternoon, Uganda being an hour ahead of us.  The combination of directions on my phone and the lack of road numbers etc meant we had to stop and ask the way several times.  Also it took an hour to cross the border.  I don't like getting preferred treatment due to my skin colour....but at the border it does speed things up.

Uganda farming

The Ugandans, like most Africans, name their businesses with much imagination.  We passed a shack which boasted Executive Bar and Accommodation.  But my favourite to date has to be 'Esteemed Jerk Computers'

So it was quite a long drive, I'd made sandwiches and flasks of coffee to sustain us and save time we would have spent in a cafe using yet another currency.  It was strange arriving at the Park because you don't actually know you're in it!  We were driving along a main road looking for the lodge I'd booked and suddenly there was an elephant looking at us.  A very large bull!  A little further on, spotted the sign to Bush Lodge, and yay!  Another large bull ele, in the middle of a little village.

First elephant

Ele 2.  So close to the houses 

On we went and located Bush Lodge, greeted by Bonny who told us all we needed to know and showed us to the tents.  There was a frisky young elephant outside my tent!  I confess I was a little apprehensive as Bonny said the young ones are aggressive!   

 The tent was comfortable and self contained with loo and outside shower...no hot water, but not needed actually.  I had a rest on my terrace, then looking across a valley there was a large group of elephants, then to the dining tent for dinner.  It was a lovely evening and the tables were set outside around a fire pit.  Lots of animal noises off stage...we were warned not to walk in the dark alone, a member of staff always came along with a powerful torch.

I was very tired and had an excellent night's sleep, just as well as we had to have breakfast and leave by 6.30 to hunt the lions.  apparently you can pay an extra 150USD per vehicle to stay closer to the animals, we didn't know that so had to take pics from afar.  There was a happy male mating, we were informed he can do it 35 times in a day with the poor female!  He looked very frisky!  saw a family of cubs..  

This park is famous for its tree climbing lions, although my friend Katy who's lived in Tanzania many years says all lions climb trees.  So off we went to see a lion up a tree, and a little later another one.  

We were on our way back to the lodge when a cry for help was received, one of the vehicles was stuck in mud under the tree with lion snoozing above.  The driver and 2 tourists leapt from that car into ours...we said they probably had some great pics.

Eventually a knife was procured from another vehicle and we returned to the tree with 3 more drivers who proceeded to cut the seatbelt and endeavoured to use it as a tow rope.  The lion descended from above, you've never seen such a swift reaction from the guys as they threw themselves into our car.    Anyway after several attempts to pull the car out we gave up and all returned to the cars.  A rescue mission was deployed from the authority, and the driver fined for being where he shouldn't be.

We went out again late afternoon, on our way, again along the main road we came across a large group of elephants of all sizes, there were so many babies there must be enough food and water for them.  One baby was so small, very cute. 

There was more game about, but we only saw one more lion and he was up a tree, looked like the lion from the Wizard of OZ.

It is totally different to Akagera which is enclosed to protect the animals and the people farming near by.  In Akagera you drive you own vehicle and hire a very knowledgeable guide for the day, and you get adequate time to take pictures.  In QE it seemed to be a mad dash from one place to another and you relied on the vehicle driver for information.

Another great meal, all the food at the lodge was excellent, but rain was on the way so tables in the covered area.

Wednesday we had another driver, we could have gone alone, but the drivers know how to get tickets etc with minimum hassle.  We definitely had to have pic at the equator, I was expecting a bigger sign though.  

Then to Mweye Lodge, quite pricey but very nice....we just had lunch which was very very good, Nile perch fillet with a sauce of tomato and ginger....yum!  There are crater lakes in the park   the water contains sulphur, the Cape Buffalo go and bathe there as the sulphur helps any wounds heal.

Mud mud glorious mud

Then to a boat to take us along the Kazinga Channel  which joins the 2 lakes of Edward and George,  lots of birds and yes, you've guessed it, more elephants, and of course lots of hippos and a rather large croc swimming along.

It is a croc!!!

We left the lodge yesterday morning and came face to face with one of the large bull elephants, they really are big.  We stopped until we thought he'd gone into the acacia patch, carefully edging forward, he stood still giving us the eye, so we stopped again and eventually he wandered off.

I enjoyed the visit very much, I'd like to go again and pay for the Wildlife experience to get up close to the lions.

   The speed bumps in Uganda are very many and most consist of  5 small ramps, it's like driving over corrugated iron. 
Helpful Hint:  Ladies, if you visit bring a sports bra.