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 a 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 