Tanzania 2nd trip

From Rwanda we headed to the Tanzanian border which took forever to cross, lots of trucks. Most of the sand roads were being upgraded to tar by the Chinese hence high truck activity, carting all the valuables out. Once we were in Tanzania we headed for Lake Tanganyika just outside a town called Kigoma where we found a stunning campsite on the shores of this great African Lake. The beach along this lake was an amazing pink color, and the water was stunning. It is estimated to be the second largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest, it is also the world's longest freshwater lake. 

We were far behind schedule and needed to make up time if we were to make it to Zimbabwe to meet my family. So we traveled as much as possible during the next two days to make the Zambian border but would have loved to explore this area far more. It’s completely out of the main tourist track and this would be the last time we would be able to travel on these amazing sand roads as everywhere construction was underway converting the roads. 

The pink beach on Lake Tanganyika

Stunning campsite with a very tranquil setting.

This beautiful bird of prey near our campsite, I think it was a Verreaux's eagle but 100% sure.

The last of the sand roads.

Trail blazing.

Sunset on route.

A proper hippo pool, anyone for a swim?

A lazy day in Africa.

A Waterbuck keeping an eye on us.

A black & white pic of these gentle, well mannered vegetarians.

Young male elephant bull out for a stroll.

A herd of Elephant wondering about.

Uganda

As mentioned previously, I will update portions of my Africa trip when the opportunity arises. From the Great Rift Valley in Kenya we headed into Uganda to our first stop, Jinga, which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, near the source of the Nile River. 

The Nile River.

My faithful stead after a much need wash.

New buddy at campsite.

From there we headed into the capital city of Uganda, Kampala. Where we restocked and met up with some old friends from SA.

Your local butcher.

From Kampala we head back down across the Equator again to the south-western part of Uganda to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is a world heritage site.

Paul and myself at the equator.

A wacky shot of some locals, as we ride past.

Heading into the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here we spent the night as I prepared to go Gorilla tracking the next morning.

An awesome view greats us as we start on our journey after been briefed by our rangers.

One can't help feeling like you are in the movie," Gorillas in the mist."

The size of this stunning nature reserve is only 331 square kilometers.

Some of our group working there way through the bush, tracking the Gorilla's. Gorilla's can only be found on the green volcanic slopes of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After a hell of a walk we are finally greeted by this young Gorilla peacefully eating in the trees.

It was insane that you could hear and see them just in front of you, and then next minute you could not see them. They are true masters of their domain.

If he wanted to he could snap us like a twig, he easily pulled up little trees as if they where a feather. With all his strength he looked at us with such intelligent gentle eyes.

What a humbling experience to see such a majestic animal up so close.

Yours truly, on the trail behind our tracker.

We have this picture, printed out big, on canvas, in our office. Looks stunning!

It's so sad to see these beautiful creatures are on the critical endangered list, as of November 2012 the estimated number of Gorillas left is 880 in the world.

Trying to get me and the Gorilla in the background in the picture.

Our guide following the Elephant spoor through the swamp.

My soaking wet foot in the Elephant spoor.

Our group with our certificates showing that we had successfully tracked and seen the Bitukura Gorilla family.

A massive moth at our campsite.

On route to Rwanda on this stunning road on the side of the mountain.

In this picture you can clearly see the line between humans and the home of these wonderful and majestic Gorillas. Given half the chance this would be turned into farm land. How can we expect wild animals to survive if we give them nowhere in the wild to live?

It's amazing how they manage to farm on every available piece of land.

I am truly blessed and grateful to have been able to experience and see the majestic mountain Gorilla in their habitat. This is and should always be protected, it is us who are encroaching on their home. Since it has become a world heritage site the number of Gorillas has slowly started to increase. So well done to the local communities and everyone that has contributed to this worthy cause.