So there was definitely one thing that was a guarantee for our trip to Uganda...
Awesome white water!
But the rest, we had planned to be fairly unplanned.
By now, whether based at the Hairy Lemon or at Nile River Explorer's we were in a fair routine of paddling, eating and resting. Spending virtually every day on the river, life was great and our paddling was improving day on day. Our days consisted of Special sessions, trips to Super Hole and days running the river, as well as having Club and Malulu when they were running. I aimed to keep pushing forward with pan ams and getting my head around airscrews, while also continuing with blunts and back blunts.
One of our epic adventures also lead us to run Itanda Falls. Almost a must, with the river being dammed soon, I didn't want to go home without having at least tried. But at the same time, it all seemed quite daunting and scary. In the end, we organised for Yusuf to lead us down while the rafts portaged. As we dropped through my eyes were fixed in front, hardly losing sight of Yusuf, with "right then left" just going through my head!
Thankfully, I made it down and was huge relief as we reached the bottom. Charlie and Jake weren't far behind and despite one roll and a quick surf on Cuban, it was an otherwise clean run. Stoked!
As our bodies slowly began to feel the ache of paddling everyday, we were soon on our way to Murchison Falls for safari!!
Murchison Falls National Park has five of Africa's seven landscapes and so it was definitely set to be a great trip. After a fairly long journey, we were soon in the park and greeted shortly by plenty of baboons. Once down by the Nile, it was a trip up towards the Falls, where we saw everything from elephants and giraffe, to hippos and crocodile (including one almost 5m long!).
The next day it was game drive time! Although we were hoping for lots, we knew that sometimes it just doesn't happen. But this wasn't the case for us. Almost as soon as we were in the park, there were giraffes, buffalos and kob everywhere, as well as birds and deer. Continuing on, we were then lucky enough to see two female lions, looking like they were preparing to hunt. Following this, we then saw monkeys and elephants.
As we headed back from seeing hippos and crocodiles by the river, we were then extremely lucky to see a leopard. It's tail hanging down as no more than a vine, our ranger had eye's like a hawk to spot this illusive cat that had not been seen in almost three months. This was also topped ff with rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to 18 of Uganda's 20 white rhino's.
With excitement overflowing, we began the journey back to the lodge, riding on the top of the truck at who knows what speed. Holding on for deer life and perched in the metal railing, we couldn't help but grin at the sheer amount we'd seen.
Back from safari, we were soon back on the water and with home in sight, pushing the paddling more (especially now our bodies had had a rest!).
However, I then saw a bit more of Uganda than I intended to. Unfortunately having fallen ill just a couple of days before going home, I missed my flight and was admitted to hospital. Now, African healthcare doesn't have the greatest reputation, but we never thought a Turkish language barrier would be one of the hardest challenges. With no improvement, I was moved to Kampala where things began to get better before heading back to Jinja for a few days rest before heading home. Deli trips and lots of movies soon had me feeling better and it was soon time to fly home (admittedly almost 2 weeks later).
But this wasn't the end of the adventure. After one already crazy ambulance journey to Kampala, where the two hour journey took just one, I should have known the odds were against me. On my final journey, while travelling way too fast and on the wrong side of the road, we crashed - in the very thing that was meant to be looking after me (the ambulance! Thankfully, no one was injured and we finally made it to the airport and could finally relax in the business lounge.
Now back in the UK (having flown by very fancy business class) I am on the road to recovery, and despite all the craziness, eager to get back out to the Nile before it's too late!
Awesome white water!
But the rest, we had planned to be fairly unplanned.
By now, whether based at the Hairy Lemon or at Nile River Explorer's we were in a fair routine of paddling, eating and resting. Spending virtually every day on the river, life was great and our paddling was improving day on day. Our days consisted of Special sessions, trips to Super Hole and days running the river, as well as having Club and Malulu when they were running. I aimed to keep pushing forward with pan ams and getting my head around airscrews, while also continuing with blunts and back blunts.
One of our epic adventures also lead us to run Itanda Falls. Almost a must, with the river being dammed soon, I didn't want to go home without having at least tried. But at the same time, it all seemed quite daunting and scary. In the end, we organised for Yusuf to lead us down while the rafts portaged. As we dropped through my eyes were fixed in front, hardly losing sight of Yusuf, with "right then left" just going through my head!
Thankfully, I made it down and was huge relief as we reached the bottom. Charlie and Jake weren't far behind and despite one roll and a quick surf on Cuban, it was an otherwise clean run. Stoked!
As our bodies slowly began to feel the ache of paddling everyday, we were soon on our way to Murchison Falls for safari!!
Murchison Falls National Park has five of Africa's seven landscapes and so it was definitely set to be a great trip. After a fairly long journey, we were soon in the park and greeted shortly by plenty of baboons. Once down by the Nile, it was a trip up towards the Falls, where we saw everything from elephants and giraffe, to hippos and crocodile (including one almost 5m long!).
The next day it was game drive time! Although we were hoping for lots, we knew that sometimes it just doesn't happen. But this wasn't the case for us. Almost as soon as we were in the park, there were giraffes, buffalos and kob everywhere, as well as birds and deer. Continuing on, we were then lucky enough to see two female lions, looking like they were preparing to hunt. Following this, we then saw monkeys and elephants.
As we headed back from seeing hippos and crocodiles by the river, we were then extremely lucky to see a leopard. It's tail hanging down as no more than a vine, our ranger had eye's like a hawk to spot this illusive cat that had not been seen in almost three months. This was also topped ff with rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to 18 of Uganda's 20 white rhino's.
With excitement overflowing, we began the journey back to the lodge, riding on the top of the truck at who knows what speed. Holding on for deer life and perched in the metal railing, we couldn't help but grin at the sheer amount we'd seen.
Back from safari, we were soon back on the water and with home in sight, pushing the paddling more (especially now our bodies had had a rest!).
However, I then saw a bit more of Uganda than I intended to. Unfortunately having fallen ill just a couple of days before going home, I missed my flight and was admitted to hospital. Now, African healthcare doesn't have the greatest reputation, but we never thought a Turkish language barrier would be one of the hardest challenges. With no improvement, I was moved to Kampala where things began to get better before heading back to Jinja for a few days rest before heading home. Deli trips and lots of movies soon had me feeling better and it was soon time to fly home (admittedly almost 2 weeks later).
But this wasn't the end of the adventure. After one already crazy ambulance journey to Kampala, where the two hour journey took just one, I should have known the odds were against me. On my final journey, while travelling way too fast and on the wrong side of the road, we crashed - in the very thing that was meant to be looking after me (the ambulance! Thankfully, no one was injured and we finally made it to the airport and could finally relax in the business lounge.
Now back in the UK (having flown by very fancy business class) I am on the road to recovery, and despite all the craziness, eager to get back out to the Nile before it's too late!
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