it’s not all work

So normally the down-time comes after a few weeks, or months into the deployment, but not this time.  After 2 pretty long flights, on the first of which I left my glasses (doh!), we arrive at Entebbe Airport on Lake Victoria.  After getting in the wrong (aka slowest) line for immigration, we collected our bags and a local SIM card, and where met by our driver Emma (real name Emmanuel), for the 5½ hour drive to Murchison Falls, 150 miles away.  Yes that’s an average of less than 30mph.

Accommodation was pretty basic, as was the food, but it the bar had a view over the River Nile, and the beer (also called Nile) was cold…  Next day we got up at 5 and took a game drive through the National Park, seeing many wonderful birds and animals.  Our expert guide also found us a leopard lazing in a tree and several lions – his vision was incredible, on both occasions he had to try really hard to explain to us where they were.  His piece de resistance though was stopping the driver next to a large bush-come-tree, he craned his neck, and yes – inside was a male lion!  We could barely see it, but he proved by clapping and out strolled the predator, then he was off to find some piece and quiet.

After that we hopped back in the car for another 5 hours or so to The Disability Centre.  What a way to start!