There are stories that seem taken from a film script. Followers of this blog know that a few months ago I threw in the towel on the important, most crucial, challenge of seeing the "big five" in Africa: elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard (take an ironic commentary crucial, although my boat for joy when I saw it was to win the Champions). After a few safaris on the backs and seven-month stay in these lands, had the dubious honor of being the only guy who had not seen a leopard. Anecdotes, where in some cases I almost ridiculous (I am very condescending myself), had made me forget the friendly feline spots (a kind of "be given").
But, a Uganda, where I had the illusion secret, increased with the support of Ricardo who insisted that he would see the leopard until we passed a gas station, asked every time we entered a park if the area had orange bugs with black dots. Not found in any of the wonderful parks Ugandans, where the guide always knew my hidden obsession (it must have felt after him every day the same question six times. It was very intuitive). Finally we come to the national park that would go in Africa, Lake Mburo, where there are officially counted only a couple of leopards. The enclave, half way between Kampala and Kisoro (gorilla zone) is a small park, amazing green landscape, where there are almost no tourists. One of those places that are faced in Africa, off payment circuits, where one has the feeling that nature looks surprised. Best to explain how wild this place is the image of going out to dinner in the cabin of the hotel and meet a hippo and a few tens of impalas in the door. This was going to dinner in these parts, flashlight and tad startled by the idea that the leopard is the one that sees you first. (for those who are going to Uganda, very recommended, Unknown Lake Mburo write this as a stop on the way). Let us return to the top.
Best to explain how wild this place is the image of going out to dinner in the cabin of the hotel and meet a hippo and a few tens of impalas in the door
The first afternoon in the park we took a boat ride on the lake with a beach jokes saw the bush where Richard said "this is the kind of place where we could see it". Nothing, much hippo and osprey, but no hint of seeing my beloved animal. The phone itself we recognized that it was hard to see you there.
The next morning, and after a delay of half an hour over the scheduled time worst (our friend from the office of tourism in Uganda was to wooden breakfast bar), started our journey by land into 4×4 which would be my last safari. Ricardo and I were standing, trying to figure out if our friends put butter timber, when Norbert, the driver stopped abruptly and I heard him say "Leopard". It reminded me I have lived in Zambia and I started looking up in the seats to no longer be the only fool who loses his image. There was a time when I doubted whether it was a joke that I spent, but, suddenly, I see the branches of the majestic feline. Great, lonely, and the height of the lake that had joked the previous day as a perfect place to view. We saw a few seconds and disappeared among the branches. Norbert, great driver, decided to block his path a few yards later and after a minute wait predator appeared again before our eyes, back to us and walking with slow and haughty gesture. After a curve, again disappear from view. Spin-up and looked at his face for the first time clear, with their eyes fixed on the car, for and lost in a thicket of trees. I could not get good photos, but I could see for a few minutes.
If I were a movie script would be impossible to believe. It was in the last minute and the site least likely when the animal decided to show after more than seven months. Such is the nature of Africa, that is its magic, it decides where it appears. That is their reality and their spell, that of being able to spend hours in a car counting the 126.487 impala or watching two cheetahs attacking a gazelle in a rather unexpected. Africa is special in many ways, for its friendly people and cheaters, no timetable for the smiles and the chaos of his life without a watch; but it is of course also for its wildlife in which we are invited. The vision of leopard celebrated almost as Iniesta goal that I could see in the Soccer City a few months ago. Perhaps therein lies also the success of a trip, make small insignificant things to enjoy unforgettable moments. Fun, After the, with looks and challenges that have no weight. That morning, nothing more special than seeing the leopard finally, is for me unforgettable. How curious, if not for the eternal breakfast our friend, had not arrived in time for my appointment with the feline. He, I did not know, had decided to cross my path at 08:15; I was scheduled to go to 07:45. Life, as in so many things.
