UGANDA 2020 - A TALE OF 7 SPECIALS

[ELIL]

Wow, great pictures of the cats.  And we did see some Nile specials as well on our tour

[Towlersonsafari]

Lovely multi handed report although I am supposed  to be working 

[elefromoz]

On 3/21/2020 at 11:14 PM, xelas said:

collecting the breakfast boxes (why did we paid all that good money for tasty food and then skipping it?!),

@xelas, Im with you, I find breakfast/lunch in a bag quite underwhelming. I guess Im not a hard-core safari tragic, I like to do some sightseeing then head back for a full buffet. Ive yet to have a good meal out of a bag or box. Maybe I need to do a andbeyond holiday, their lunches looked pretty good!

 

Beautiful photos from Mrs @xelas as always

 

@kittykat23uk, nice Mongoose collection. You are doing a good job of moderating this thread 

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

I think just adding Bee-eaters and Sunbirds will give me more than enough to strive for.

Stick around. I think the best is yet to come!

 

Folks may like to see the tracks for the 15th Morning and afternoon drives.

The morning track to Kasenyi flats.

NB. the actual log starts just east of Lake Nyamuruka seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The reason being that the power socket for the Garmin was needed for the Spotlight because we were driving, again, in the darkness of pre-dawn.

21 minutes ago, elefromoz said:

On 3/21/2020 at 3:14 PM, xelas said:

collecting the breakfast boxes (why did we paid all that good money for tasty food and then skipping it?!),

Twice! There are lions resident at Mweya for Pete's and my sakes! I and some Aussie friends have met them on foot.

OK. The male we found was nice enough and the leopard super special as he draped himself languidly in the cactus to give us all a hard stare.

 

The afternoon drive was along the channel track with excursions down to the two campsites on Leopard Drive which is good for ahem, leopards, and very good for Giant Forest Hog. Queen Elizabeth NP being one of the few places where this beast can been seen frequently in daylight. Sadly no luck this trip apart from a distant sighting the previous day.

But there were birds and ellies to be found.

White-browed (Heuglin's) Robin Chat.

 

Nubian Cactuspecker.

 

And some friendly ellies blocking our trail fresh from a swim and heading back to the bush.

One ellie moment is worth ten dozy lions.

So again we were back late for dinner but with good reason.

 

Ready for more.

[kittykat23uk]

I think we need to slow this down or I am in danger of getting to  the point of not yet having labelled my photos. The events of the past few days have not helped and I am still working full time. 

[Soukous]

21 minutes ago, kittykat23uk said:

I am still working full time. 

 

Lucky you. 

[xelas]

20 minutes ago, kittykat23uk said:

I think we need to slow this down

 

OK, I will wait with the next instalment until you will post your photos from 15th.

[Soukous]

I'm getting worried Fred. In your post #254 the standard of your photos has dramatically improved. Is it just down to larger, slowing moving subjects or has Alex, I mean Zvezda, been giving you tips? 

[kittykat23uk]

28 minutes ago, Soukous said:

I'm getting worried Fred. In your post #254 the standard of your photos has dramatically improved. Is it just down to larger, slowing moving subjects or has Alex, I mean Zvezda, been giving you tips? 

 

I think he cleaned his lens.. 😏

 

And I am sorry for anyone who's had their livelihood affected by this pandemic. 😔

[Soukous]

19 minutes ago, kittykat23uk said:

And I am sorry for anyone who's had their livelihood affected by this pandemic

 

I wasn't having a go at you Jo, just wishing that we could all get on with life as normal.

[kittykat23uk]

4TH GAME DRIVE – KASENYI SECTOR & MWEYA PENINSULA / 15th Feb

 

A few more pictures from this drive.

 

P2150005 White-Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150007 waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150018 Flappet Lark (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

IMG_20200215_074130 by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150037 (2) Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

Always nice to find a bunny on safari:

 

P2150046 Lepus saxatilis - Scrub hare by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150111 black-bellied bustard (Lissotis melanogaster) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150151 black-bellied bustard (Lissotis melanogaster) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150183 southern red bishop or red bishop (Euplectes orix) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150286 Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150289 Grey-backed Fiscal  Lanius excubitoroides by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150320 frican wattled lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150324 African wattled lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150343 frican wattled lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150346 Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150381  martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150393 Kittlitz's Plover (Charadrius pecuarius) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

Obligatory Lion shot

 

P2150430 African Lion by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

@xelas didn't mention something that you might notice.  The leopard is collared, they offer big cat tracking in the park at quite significant extra cost. But we got lucky. But we didn't have the chance to linger and we had to head back after snapping just a few shots. Unfortunately the others had the better angle on the leopard.

 

P2150445  African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150482  African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

Edited March 29, 2020 by kittykat23uk

[kittykat23uk]

Back to the lodge as we were late for lunch, then some local birding. 

 

P2150507 Rüppell's starling (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150558 Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150538 Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150609  scarlet-chested sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150635  red-chested sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150644  black-headed gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150650  black-headed gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

 

Edited March 24, 2020 by kittykat23uk

[kittykat23uk]

Then there was some discussion about doing a night drive. Unfortunately we should have planned better as Emmy did not feel up to doing both an afternoon drive and a night drive after such a long drive in the morning and as @xelas and Zvezda were not keen on doing the night drive it would not have been fair to deprive them of the afternoon game drive in favour of the night drive so the idea was shelved.. If we'd have thought about it we should have arranged this for the previous day when Emmy had a break in the afternoon whilst we were on the boat trip. I was quite disappointed not to be able to do a night drive. Given how far we had driven we were also not able to go back to where the cats were in the hopes of them being more active. So I was pretty disappointed about that too!

 

But at least we saw some birds

 

P2150676 Nubian Woodpecker  Campethera nubica nubica by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150681 Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150699 white-browed scrub robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150754 Grey-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150772 white-throated bee-eater (Merops albicollis) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150817 African pygmy kingfisher (Ispidina picta) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150834 white-browed robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150875 Grey-headed Kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150895 spot-flanked barbet (Tricholaema lacrymosa) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150898 Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150900 Blue-headed agama by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

 

Edited March 29, 2020 by kittykat23uk

[kittykat23uk]

So of course we played with the eles for a while! I think this was all a ploy by @Galana if you ask me, he is clearly in league with Emmy... but it was wonderful to see this little baby playing with a dead tree.

 

P2150932 African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150972 (2) African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P2150996 African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

 

And we also saw this spectacular tusker!

 

P2151011 African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

We finally had a decent sunset

 

IMG_20200215_184219 by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

After dark I tried to take some shots of the bats. Only one came out. 

 

P2151068 Bat sp. by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

 

Edited March 29, 2020 by kittykat23uk

[kilopascal]

Love the flycatcher photos @kittykat23uk

[michael-ibk]

Great photos from all of you. It really feels good reading about Africa right now, thank you for lifting all our spirits.

[xelas]

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

t really feels good reading about Africa right now, thank you for lifting all our spirits.

 

Thanks. And I am glad that you will do the same soon !

[Galana]

10 hours ago, kittykat23uk said:

I think we need to slow this down or I am in danger of getting to  the point of not yet having labelled my photos.

No way. You have been back over three weeks now.

 

Love the flying Bat. African Yellow House Bat I think.

Edited March 24, 2020 by Galana
Text amendments.

[Galana]

10 hours ago, Soukous said:

I'm getting worried Fred. In your post #254 the standard of your photos has dramatically improved. Is it just down to larger, slowing moving subjects or has Alex, I mean Zvezda, been giving you tips?

Thank you for the compliment (I think!). I do get the occasional presentable one when I lose concentration on the EBC competition. I must be more careful to protect my reputation.

[kittykat23uk]

Here are a few additional shots from the past few days, from my second camera and wide angle lens 

 

P1010004 African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010010 African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010015 African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010026  African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010035 Kazinga Channel by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010044 Kazinga Channel by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010052 Kazinga Channel by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010061 Kazinga Channel by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010063 Kazinga Channel by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010064 Kazinga Channel by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010069 African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010074 African Buffalo by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010079 African Buffalo by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010083 African Buffalo by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010086 African Buffalo by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010090 African Buffalo by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010093 African Buffalo by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010114 (2) African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

P1010119 African Bush Elephant by Jo Dale, on Flickr

Edited March 29, 2020 by kittykat23uk

[xelas]

JACANA SAFARI LODGE / 16th Feb

 

 

There are at least 6 hours driving on mostly gravel roads from Mweya to Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest). Many are doing it, to get quickly from one highlight to another. Not Fred. He has his obligatory stops well planned, to secure his and his co-travellers much needed comfort. Therefore, and also to facilitate the game drive through Ishaha sector of QENP, our next stop was very close,  only about 50 km away.

 

 

 

We did not start that early, and with Emmy one is assured to have many stops for birds. After exiting at Katunguru gate, we have crossed the Kazinga channel over the bridge, using the main and very good tarmac road towards our next stop. 

 

 

 

 

 

Kyambura Gorge is part of the Queen Elizabeth NP and home to chimpanzees, among other wildlife and many birds. The gorge itself, also nicknamed “valley of apes” is about 100 meters deep and covered with dense vegetation. It is surrounded by savannah. It is estimated that less than 30 chimpanzees are living in the gorge, and trekking to them must be a difficult task.

 

 

 

 

Ours was much easier, we have only parked our vehicle and used the pavilion with a fantastic view over the gorge and the savannah, to have our lunch break.

 

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by xelas

[xelas]

Jacana Safari Lodge - http://jacanalodges.com - is situated next to a volcanic crater lake, surrounded by Maramagambo Forest. Cabins are made of wood, with views over the lake. It looks like being part of the nature … at least the big part of it. On the way to the lodge we have stopped frequently.

 

GREY KESTREL

 

LONG-CRESTED EAGLE

 

LIZARD BUZZARD

 

VERVET MONKEY

 

 

 

The cabin does not have a balcony but there is a small sitting area with a large window over the lake. Our beds were comfortable but, as many in Uganda, more on the harder side. There is a main building and next to the lake, a pool and … a sauna!! Was it a sauna in reality, or only a sign, I did not checked. Who needs a sauna in Africa??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[xelas]

As there was a lake, boat cruise was what we decided to do in the afternoon. We should start at 4 pm … African time. Apparently they were trying to find Captain Morgan. When the cruise has finally started, passengers were filled with great enthusiasm and expectations. But soon they were all cooled down … by a tropical storm. Always better to be on the boat with a roof then in the forest under the tree.

 

PINK-BACKED PELICAN

 

 

STRIATED HERON

 

 

 

 

LITTLE EGRET

 

 

Evening dinner was one of the best, IMHO. And instead of red colors of the setting sun we have had the pleasure to watch the red colors of burning wood.

 

 

 

 

 

It was only a 1-night affair with Jacana Safari Lodge but it was a pleasant one, and this place is highly recommended to whoever does Uganda in a slow mode.

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by xelas

[Galana]

1 hour ago, xelas said:

Not Fred. He has his obligatory stops well planned, to secure his and his co-travellers much needed comfort

Thanks Alex. I do try. Actually I had other motives as well. We were looking for Blue-breasted Kingfisher and African Finfoot too. We dipped on both which was unusual but did find more Shining Blue Kingfishers at the lake.

I will come back to the birds later.

Here is what Gladys logged as our track as far as Jacana Lodge. Loved the 4hurs 57 suggested by Google on yours.

Note the short drive east to Kyambura/Chyambura. Both spelling are correct. "K" can be "Ch" in local language and Gaelic.

 

Birds not recorded by Alex were:-

White-headed Barbet.    Kyambura.

 

The fantastic Black Bee-eater. I knew we should find this in Maramagamba but did not expect it to be so easy as perched right by the road as we drove in.

 

Never saw that Lizard Buzzard had prey. I wonder if Alex will count it in his Big Year?

On the way out next morning we also got a very good view of singing Red-chested Cuckoo.

 

Here is my humble room at Jacana.

 

 He mentioned we had a drop of rain on "The Captain's Table".

Nothing like a good tropical storm to bring on a thirst.

 

Finally my lovely cabin from the Lake.

Nothing like actually being in the forest.

 

Note to really keen birders. We did see Fraser's Rufous Flycatcher Thrush, Tambourine Dove and Moustached Warbler down in the jungle but I won't insult non birders by showing them here. Find them on BY if keen. Nos, 203, 204 and 210.

 

We all know that Jo had an interesting encounter with Mongoose at Mweya as we left.

I repeat only two here now but look forward to seeing what her camera saw soon.

 

More Alex please. You need to catch up.

[xelas]

8 hours ago, Galana said:

I wonder if Alex will count it in his Big Year?

 

Zvezda has already asked my if I can ID it .

 

That 4hrs 59 min were total driving time from Mweya to Buhoma. Posted as many others are doing it as a one-day transfer.