Uganda’s Kazinga Channel

It is where they all gather.  Man and beast alike.  In Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kazinga Channel is a 25 mile long waterway which connects two major lakes and is where all shapes and sizes of animals, birds, and people come together for water.  We were fascinated by the Ugandans that dangerously live amongst wildlife that could easily kill them.  Our camera worked overtime on our two trips along this channel as it gave us the chance not only to see a huge array of animals gathering for their daily drink, but also for a glimpse of the tough life in the fishing villages along the Kazinga Channel.

   It is where hippos and Buffalos mingle just a few steps away from homes and a school.

  And families gather……..

 

 

Where elephants show that they are the biggest on the block….

   And the birds compete for fish with each other and with the fishermen trying to provide for their families…

   

Don’t forget the tourists….

Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park has 11 separate villages of people living amongst the wild animals.  The people were there before the area was designated a National Park.  They have remained even though the strong and fierce animals have been upgraded to protected status.  They have lived side by side these large animals for generations but we were still surprised to see people walking down the road very close to a pride of lions.  Motorcyclists were riding by, oblivious to the hippos nearby.  We guessed that they are willing to risk their lives because they are desperate for water and supplies and it’s the only way of life they know.     Wild Uganda!  Beautiful, surprising, and the poorest, most populated country of our travels.

Furry Cousins

They share 98% of our DNA.  They’re highly social and can understand and communicate with humans.  While in Uganda’s Ishasha Wilderness Preserve we had the opportunity to seek them out in their natural habitat, and see for ourselves up close how these animals live, eat, and interact with each other.  Our guide was soft spoken, petite, had gentle eyes, a love of the forest, and carried an automatic rifle.  Into a thick forest and down a deep canyon we followed our armed guide.  We were trekking for chimpanzees!
We were seeking a troop of 21 members that live in a 9 mile long canyon.  There was no guarantee that we would find them and the last 4 groups of trekkers came away disappointed.  They didn’t find the chimps.  Knowing that the our furry cousins could be anywhere, and that we were looking for a needle in a haystack, we start our hike.  Our nerves were heightened as we began our decent into the canyon and walk past lots of large animal tracks, scat and other evidence of the wild animals that live in this canyon.  It’s certainly intimidating knowing that without a gun, we are not the kings and queens of the jungle. 
We followed our guide for an hour or so looking for signs of the chimps.  He pointed out half-eaten fruit and knuckle tracks.  Could it be our lucky day?
What was that?  Our guide suddenly picked up the pace and tells us to move!   The troop was moving through a clearing ahead.  Yes, fortune would be on our side today!  Next, he hurried us along ahead of the chimps as he said they were coming right at us.  Holy s%$t!  One of the more dramatic males came right by us and started slamming his hands against the roots of a tree while screaming loudly at us, as if to say, you weren’t suppose to find us again today.  It was exciting and scary to watch and listen to his very loud display of frustration.  It was a show of his powerful arms.
Adrenalin was pumping as we ran through the thick forest trying to stay in front of them.  They move fast.  We could hear them in the tree tops, saw some on the trail, and we scurried quickly to get in the right position.
Our efforts were rewarded.  We had the opportunity to see about 10 or so of the chimps coming directly at or near us.  Our guide knew many of the males by name and he knew their personalities as well.  We also saw a few females and a baby.  The light in this deep forest is not good for amateur photographers, but finally after trailing one of the males for 10 or so minutes, he decided to pose for us.  Not more than 15 feet away, he nonchalantly perched on a downed tree trunk and allowed us to take photos.
We didn’t want to leave, but knew that it was best to give our cousins the space they need.  It was another amazing wildlife experience!