After what can only be described as the most horrendous flight ever endured, I can only say – note to self, NEVER fly with Kenya Airways again: flat tyres, lost luggage, replacement planes, seat bookings misplaced, stranded between airports to eventually be left running between interconnecting flights, looking for boarding areas that were as invisible as Platform nine and three quarters in Harry Potter movie …. the overly relaxed African staff attitude testing us to the max – finally we arrived in Entebbe to be greeted by the widest smile ever seen – welcome to Uganda and ‘Gordon’, our driver for the duration of our adventure!
With our jeep ready to go and take us to our first location, sadly our luggage nowhere to be seen … we set off, with Gordon promising he would sort everything …. a long night ahead in the rustic Boma lodge, electricity to be used sparingly as sockets ‘blow’ and generator kicks in; suggested offers from kindly resort staff of our shopping in the local town for clothes at ‘donation shops’ seemed a tad ironic – buying back what had been previously donated via the UK somewhat ‘cutting out the middleman’ but sweetly intended…
Morning came as did our clothes – I almost cried when airport staff confirmed to Gordon that 6 cases had followed through on another plane and been matched to us! So, after what seemed like the best shower ever had and fresh clothes on, we set off for the 7 hour road journey to Ndali Lodge, based within the crater lakes region of Entebbe.
The following morning our first trek within the Kibale Forest, Chimpanzees living happily in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Introduced to the jungle by most knowledgeable Rangers, we broke into small groups and we walked (well, I say walk, trekked at quite a pace to keep up!) through the deepest of jungles following chimpanzees strolling along then pausing to feed from the many fruit trees – under foot a tangle of vines, prickly and non prickly bushes, shrubs, ferns and leaves, wading through the dense woodland and across small streams – after almost 3 hours, exhaustion kicking in but so worth it …. we learnt quite quickly that rain does not usually trickle over only one persons head but it does if there is a chimp relieving himself – hat proving rather useful that day for our daughter’s boyfriend!!
Our Ranger calmly advised if a chimp approaches, you must stand still, and do not move but step aside if it’s wielding a stick (our running shows aggression – really!?!) – truth be told, easier said than done I found as black hairy creature brushed passed, but an awesome experience once reflected! Now feeling quite the intrepid explorers, we chatted over our dinner of the sights enjoyed today – so fired up and excited about what lies ahead!
