I flew with Air Uganda from Dar es Salaam to Entebbe to meet me with the Mountains of the Moon, the sources of the Nile, Gorillas in the Mist. The aircraft was a modern airplane, convenient, much better than most of those European airlines. I saw from the sky and snow-capped Kilimanjaro and vast mythical flying over the Lake Victoria, on which it appeared that the ship perch. I saw small fishing boats, infinite horizon of water, scattered islands. What would those early European explorers who came across a sea in the heart of Africa? Two hours later I met Richie. It was a night of cheerful chat which intervened Jan Willem, a Dutchman who has facilitated the trip and has an interesting history: NGOs working for a medical with sms (for an entire post would explain).
The next morning began our journey. Kampala crossed, Traffic suffer collapse and went to meet with the chaotic and fascinating African cities. Yes, with a huge surprise, the city has a subway line. We gathered there Safie, a woman from Uganda Tourist accompany us on the journey with our driver, Norbert. We left Kampala, staring in their markets of clay and organized disorder. Good roads accompanied us the first few miles. Along with a small street market, where vendors are crowded together in the car and gave us a test Norbert Cassa (a kind of roasted sweet potato), see dozens of men making a ditch to get cable Internet. Two parallel images, here, reconciliables.
We eat in Masindi and there we took a new road, dirección Murchison Falls Park, that reveals a fascinating Uganda. A red dirt road as clay, asphalt is over, in which rural life happens. The tropical vegetation throng, to harass, the sides; children wave hands and eyes; bikes are determined to overcome the mud. After nearly three hours of hard road that we found a gift. Exactly the same as when we crossed the park gate.
is the full name of that water so that gives a magic touch. The Nile, the eternal Nile, that will rain to Pharaonic Egypt, melts in a waterfall wild
Finally, after an hour car, we Murchison Falls, Baker discovered that the intrepid. At last we reached the Nile. Hear its roar shakes, but it is the name of those waters that gives it a magical touch. The Nile, the eternal Nile, that will rain to Pharaonic Egypt, breaks into a wild waterfall then lost meekly still distant way of the Mediterranean.
Even more special is the way to Paraa. Waited while the barge was carrying a busload of schoolchildren. Symbolic scene in a place where bullets a few years ago silenced the noise of the jungle and now we hear the laughter of children with a present that does not include part, after abduction, children of an army of crazed murderers. The light breaks the clouds and make the sky purple. We touch the hands Nile. On that old ferry light emotions attached to those who travel history.
We touch the hands Nile. On that old ferry light emotions attached to those who travel history
The auction was the unforgettable hotel awaited us: the Paraa Safari Lodge. Along my route I mentioned a few African special accommodations: this is one of them. A good hotel, with friendly staff and located in a privileged. From anywhere in the room can hear the whisper of water; from any room quietly contemplates his step. Welcome dinner hanging from the river, some wine and the sensation of sleeping in one place. Out went the day with a smile on your face.
The last day was also special. The safari we did in the national park is fascinating. The red roads are mixed with the green grass that grows in line. The acacias and palms give shade to the buffalo herds, Elephants, Jirafa Viejo ... A lion slowly disappears, tired of the harassment of five cars that observed (in other national parks in Africa, in a scene like that, the number of cars should add a zero). At the bottom, waiting for the waters of Lake Albert, one of those myths that Africa called "unknown land", in this zone maps, makes only 140 years, was left blank. Maybe, most fascinating thing about this park is that it could be hours to go even if there were animals.
Afternoon, route is by boat, The Nile, to approach the falls. The hippos are dozens, leaving scene as curious as to see one lying down in water, on another, nap. We almost reached the waterfall.
The first three nights in Uganda have been fascinating. A surprise place, if nothing changes, I think it will become one of those places that when I go back to Africa. Make the path to Richie also makes this part of the way special. We go to el sur.
This route has been organized with the collaboration of the company, and Gorilla Tours Uganda Tourism Board. More information on web pages:
www.gorillatours.com
www.uwa.org
www.paraalodge.com
