Uganda 8 December 2006 cont.

It's over. Scramble back uphill to retrieve our packs and exit the forest. Emerge high on the hill. Stop for lunch. Take in scenery - green hills and dramatic mountains in the distance.


Awesome is an over-used word but I can't think of any other to use. It is the only way to describe the sense of wonder at being so close to some of the last 750 mountain gorillas in the world. They have babies. The population was down to 650 a decade ago. But for how long? When will some human upheaval eradicate them or their environment? A pessimistic view of their prospects for survival.



Another scramble back down the hill to the bus. Back to the village. One last haggle secures a candlestick at less than half the original asking price. Then grab the luggage and into the bus for the long drive back.

Mateo breaks the news that our overnight flight back from Kenyatta has been cancelled so we will have to overnight in Nairobi. General dismay at disarranged plans. Also going back same route we drove out from Kampala instead of going via Queen Elizabeth National Reserve due to bad roads. Disappointing but we're less concerned than others as we are going to Kenya shortlyso hope to see the game there.

Overnight at Lakeview Hotel. Colonial feel. Buffet meal including local dishes (at last!) Say goodbye to Joseph of the prodigious driving feats.