After the events of last month the pace has slowed down dramatically as I have only traveled as far as Uganda during April. The majority of the month has been spent exploring what Uganda has to offer for the independent traveler and it has not disappointed. Turning out to be a gem of a country with many exciting adrenalin activities to keep one occupied; this extends further than the obligatory boda-boda rides or dodging live ammo from the open fire in Kampala during the deforestation demonstrations. There are also the National Parks, stunning landscapes and safari game drives that have kept me busy. After a weekend in Kampala you soon realise that the Ugandan's also know how to party. It turns out that Mandy Cohen (in voice only) from Life of Brian has turned up at a backpackers in Kampala masquerading as an African wearing overalls and wellington boots operating the main gate. So we now have him saying, “He’s not the messiah. He’s a very naughty boy!” This is of course childish but bloody funny.

No trip to Uganda would be complete without a trip down the grade 5 rapids of the source of the Nile. Which in the main is performed on a raft however as this does not present quite the same exhilaration as the offer of a tandem Kayak ride the latter was decided upon. As we pushed away from the bank that morning a thought of absolute horror crossed my mind; what the hell was I about to let myself in for. This was the first time that I had ever sat in a kayak. After a few practices of capsizing and performing a couple of other key maneuvers it was time to set off for the first rapid. There is nothing quite like the experience of accelerating down three meters of water approaching a ten foot wave with only three feet of plastic in front of you. A lot of Nile water was consumed throughout the day and we only capsized twice in the rapids which is quite a different experience than the practice runs in the flat water.

Later in the Rwenzori Mountains I embarked on a bit of mountain biking. However this was not to be your ordinary biking trip, this is mountain biking Ugandan style. Any thoughts of a tricked out full suspension bike with disc brakes and multi gears were soon quashed once the bike was delivered in the morning. However as I had parted with my money the previous day I just had to go with it. Having been in Africa for more than four months now I should really have know better, nothing is quite as it is sold at the time. It got even worse once in terrifying motion. The thing could just about perform one function at a time and the fact the wheels were turning pretty much maximized its full potential.

A few pictures from a recent game drive.

Andrew
http://www.justgiving.com/aaay2k7