Kazinga Channel, Uganda
July 16, 2024
On the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo is Lake Edward, shared by the DRC and Uganda. A narrow channel joins this lake with Lake George in Uganda. In dry season it is here that the animals are seen coming to water and a boat ride along the channel is a must.
Milky green waters lap at the edges of the boat as we head out for a ride. A baby monitor lizard watches from its perch. There are a multitude of hippos, they snort, trumpet occasionally but mostly snooze. Their malevolent gaze on us as we bob past.
And there are herds of elephants with calves in tow, from a few weeks old to youngsters a couple of years to slightly older. It is a wonder to me how the youngest don’t get trampled! They trot along under the shelter of their mother but manage to swim where the others plod along the shallows to path leading up the cliff.
But this is really a birder’s paradise with more species than I ever knew. From fish eagles to cormorants to herons to kingfishers, they are everywhere. I never knew there were so many kinds of kingfishers! They fly, fish and sit high on the branches surveying potential prey.
The boatmen are hailed by a fishing boat and a catfish is hauled aboard. It is going to be their dinner. The sun is about to set as we go back to the jetty.
ITCHY FEET TRAVELS 