We decided to go away for a few nights. It was great timing, giving us a change of scenery to look back on and treasure during lockdown.
Our first stop was Fort Portal, at the cottage of friends. Fort Portal is BEAUTIFUL.
The first afternoon we visited we admired the wide plains and views of buffalo, antelope and warthogs. We also found this majestic elephant grazing right by the roadside:
The next morning, we rose before dawn and set off in the hopes of seeing larger game and hopefully some predators.
I also had a hope of seeing something really special- the animal I have dreamt of seeing for many years. I have lived on the African continent for 15 years, but had never seen a leopard in the wild. Friends of mine had spotted the elusive cat in Queen Elizabeth Park and I was hoping -and even praying!- that we might get to see one as well.
It was a very exciting morning!
First of all, we followed an official game ranger vehicle just a short way. We pulled to a halt when he veered off the path towards a large cactus tree. We waited to see what he had found. As we observed, we saw the distinctive sandy-brown of lions!
Excitedly, we waited until we could see more clearly. Several other safari vehicles came alongside, asked what we were looking at and waited with us.
Anticipation grew- and finally our patience was rewarded! We could see two large lionesses in the tree and managed to get some fun photographs!
More wonderful animal spotting ensued, including this hippo who had made a temporary wallowing hole in a large puddle after recent rains!
He jumped right out of his hole as we approached, but seemed to decide we did not pose a threat and clambered back in again. However, I could swear he was keeping a suspicious eye on us:
Elephant family:
Just before midday, we decided to head back to see what the lions-in-the-tree were up to (sun-bathing!). Next, we drove across the main road to visit other side of the national park, renowned for its striking scenery and crater lakes.
As we bumped along the stony driveway of the park, I gazed out of the car window. Suddenly, I spotted movement in the swishing of the long grasses of the plain.
"Stop!" I yelled to Andrew, "I see something!"
Andrew reversed a little way and we watched carefully. There it was again! A stealthy slinking through the grass, then the animal stopped, looked over straight towards our car. It was definitely a large cat! As I snapped some photographs, it became apparent that the cat had a long, white tipped tail- and I was sure those were spots! Yes! IT WAS A LEOPARD!!!
I was so thrilled to finally see this amazing cat, famous for its avoidance of people and shy nature. I might have had a tear in my eye...
What a precious gift to see a leopard prowling in its natural habitat!
We tried to see where it might have gone once he disappeared behind the bushes... but all we found was this fresh paw-print in the muddy swamp:
After finally seeing my leopard and also seeing those happy tree-climbing lions in their cactus-tree, we were very thankful- we felt that we could not top the experience!
Even so, there was a real treat in store when we eventually drove over to the more scenic side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The views of crater lakes and mountains were simply phenomenal.
View from our accommodation:
It was an incredible trip; we feel very grateful for the opportunity we had to see this corner of the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda is truly an amazingly beautiful country.
