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Author: Alice Morrison
Our riverboat guide looked at me intently. “Did you know that hippos aren’t really good swimmers, but elephants are?” Clinton asked.
We are on a small boat on the Murchison Falls safari on the Victoria Nile in northwestern Uganda. All around our boat are the eyes of hippos, their wrinkled brows poking out of the water.
“They looked like they were swimming, but their feet were on the muddy ground,” he said.
Just then, my fellow travelers cried out in surprise. In the middle of the river, an elephant was crossing the river. The water was over their bellies, and their feet were on the shallow river bottom. Two baby elephants used their trunks to tightly wrap around their mother’s tail to protect themselves.
The big bull elephants flapped their ears as the boat approached. Behind the group were the teenagers. They were having a blast, swishing around like overgrown Labradors. They sucked up water and then sprayed it in all directions. One dove in and flipped over. Another dove in like a submarine, using its nose as a snorkel. “See the way they swim?” Clinton said.
Uganda is a small landlocked country in East Africa that has a wide variety of wildlife at an affordable price. A day trip costs around £200, 30% less than in neighbouring Kenya, and it is less crowded. This makes Uganda an ideal destination for tourists seeking an authentic, immersive safari experience, and there are many tour companies, such as https://bwindigorillatrekkingfromkigali.com/ Get ready to realize your dreams.
Another benefit is that you don’t have to compete with the crowds. You don’t have to compete with 20 other vehicles for the best photo position and share your lions. If you have the budget, you can also choose to visit the gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Another plus is the accommodation. There are many authentic options here, built using techniques that are in harmony with the environment.
English is the lingua franca in the country, which is relatively stable after a civil war in the 1970s and 1980s. The current president, Yoweri Museveni, has been in power for nearly 40 years.
Murchison Falls is the country’s largest wildlife park. At dawn, my driver Ibra and I set out for a land adventure.
“Look,” Ibra said. Ahead was a small herd of giraffes, walking with a special grace. One of them craned its neck to nibble on a delicacy from a thorn tree. We were so close that I could see every hair on the big buck’s chin.
“Giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as humans – seven. But their necks are 10 inches long,” Ibra said. It was the question for the pub quiz. As we drove, four different species of antelope played hide-and-seek with our jeep. A herd of sullen buffalo – the most dangerous animal in the jungle – glared at us from a watering hole.
We were the only two in the park, but then we spotted a small van herd. A lion was moving slowly through the grass, appearing in and out of view.
It’s an adrenaline rush.
Later, I spotted two pairs of furry ears in the bushes, and then a hyena suddenly appeared and ran a few hundred yards straight toward us. “I’ve never seen a hyena do this before,” Ibra admitted.
Besides safaris, Uganda is home to a vibrant culture, delicious food and stunning natural beauty. A must-try at the roadside stalls is Rolex, a mouth-watering omelette wrapped in a chapati. Lake Bunyoni is a tranquil spot for bird watching and a relaxing retreat. The 29 islands on the lake offer a peaceful retreat with thatched huts and sun-warmed outdoor showers. You can also visit the https://monteerosafaris.com/ Enjoy an exciting and breathtaking experience.
Uganda is known as a “hidden gem” because it’s relatively under the radar, but with its amazing wildlife, affordable safaris and warm hospitality, it should be on every traveler’s radar. From the Big Five to majestic elephants, Uganda’s natural beauty and charm will amaze you.
On the last day, I watched families of kingfishers soar in the shallows and crested cranes fly by, and recalled the playful teenage elephants snorkeling in the Nile.
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