WILDLIFE VIEWING IN UGANDA AND TANZANIA, Part 2, Guest Post by Ann Paul

Hippos in the Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

My friend and fellow children's book writer Ann Whitford Paul recently went with her husband Ron on a trip to Africa, where they did some amazing wildlife viewing in Uganda and Tanzania. Her pictures bring back memories of my own trip to those countries in 1971. Although much has changed since then, the wonder of seeing animals at home in their natural habitat is still the same. Here is a photo tour of some of the highlights of Ann and Ron's trip.

Water Buffalo and Egyptian Geese

Queen Elizabeth Park extends from Lake George in the north-east to Lake Edward in the south-west and includes the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes.

Pelican and Water Buffalo

A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel brought us up close to hippos, water buffalo, and lots of birds.

Malachite Kingfisher

The boat trip relaxed us for what lay ahead . . . Trekking to see the gorillas.My husband and I both felt we should do this before we were too old.However, we soon discovered three miles of daily walking up and down Los Angeles hills, did nothing to prepare us for the steep, three hour, straight-up, lush and unpathed trek through the misty mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

But what an amazing privilege to see gorillas just four or five feet away going eating bamboo... ....and passing by us close enough we could almost touch one. By the time we hiked back down (over two and a half hours) my knees were screaming with pain.Fortunately the hotel must have expected it, because part of the cost included a free massage which I’m sure is the only reason I can still stand upright.
To be continued:Next post--a jeep safari in Tanzania.
You can find out more about Ann Whitford Paul and her books at www.annwhitfordpaul.com .