The Safari

After two previous trips to Uganda I was fortunate enough to go on safari this year. The word safari means journey so I guess, in a way, I had been on safari every time I went to Uganda. Our guests wanted to go on safari while in the country so arrangements were made and bags packed. The day we were to leave on safari just happened to be Susan’s birthday. We met the driver, Jason, and our guide to begin the adventure.

Our first stop was the Equator. There is an experiment done here well worth the time and effort to stop and watch. When water is placed in a container and allowed to drain the water swirls in one direction in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere just 10 feet away. When this container is placed right on the equator the water drains straight out without any movement. Also, a person weighs about 3 pounds less on the equator. After the experiment we went shopping at the cute little shops on the equator.

When we finally reached the Lodge we found elephant across the river and wild boar grazing right outside the door to our room.

Once we settled in to our rooms, it was time for swimming and relaxing. The view from the veranda was one of the most beautiful in the world. Our evening and our celebration of Susan’s birthday was filled with great food, good company, and laughter.

The alarm went off at 0500 the next morning. We were to meet Jason in the lobby of the Lodge to begin our adventure. During the morning we saw many animals. During our morning drive around Queen Elizabeth National Park we met men peddling their bikes very fast in the opposite direction. Jason was told something about “SIMBA”. Jason found the Simba (Lion) for us to photograph. We were the only ones that day to spot a lion.

After the morning’s “hunt” we were taken back to the Lodge for a rest and some lunch. This gave us time to talk about all we had seen and gather ourselves for the afternoon’s river trip.

After lunch we boarded a boat and traveled up the river and back. Along the way we saw hippos, water bucks, crocodiles, many different species of birds, but no elephants.

The next morning it was time to return to Kampala. We were privileged to experience a quiet morning watching the earth come to life before the road trip began. On our way out of the park we stopped by the side of the road to watch a small group of elephants right by the side of the road. Further along we saw some monkeys in the road. Jason said that if we stopped the monkeys would climb on the van wanting food. It was a bit of time until we could get him off the van.

Our journey home was uneventful. We had many wonderful memories of our time in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We talked all the way back to Kampala.