The drive from the ferry to the wetlands was only about 1/2 hour but it was all on sandy, unmade roads and there was a fair bit of bumping and rolling around - journeys like this are fondly known as African Massages. We arrived to a small collection of huts, numerous wooden canoes and lots of young men hanging around on motorbikes (presumably taxis once again) who watched us all clamber out of the truck. There was a loo, specially reserved for visitors, but after a grand unlocking ceremony Charmaine went first and reported back to say it was just a squat toilet so neither of us went.
Mmmm not quite sure how I'll fare getting into the boat without getting extremely muddy feet.
On the river bank was this Village Weaver, posing beautifully next to two nests.
We met our guide Joseph and two boatmen and split into two groups; we went with the other Ian and Joseph, whilst Olly, Charmaine and Frederick took the other boat. In situations like this I always put my trust in the boatmen; stepping exactly where I'm told to, taking a hand if it's offered and not being afraid to ask for help with the backpack. Once settled I had a look around at some of the other boats and was amused to see a motorbike being transported on one of them.
What was even funnier was at the other end, sat the motorbike rider complete with crash helmet.
Joseph has no doubt done this trip 1,000s of times and is very sure footed.
I wonder where the motorbike was heading.
Of course the primary reason for the boat trip through the dense papyrus swamps this morning is to, hopefully, see the magnificent Shoebill. These wetlands are probably the easiest place in Uganda (and perhaps the whole of Africa) to see this wonderful bird and although Naturetrek say we have "a very good chance" having been with them tiger hunting in India, we are mindful that their idea of "a sighting" and ours very much differ. So I asked Joseph to tell us honestly, what chance did we have this morning. To my utter amazement he replied "100% - you WILL see a shoebill" WOW!
Meantime here are a few birds we passed whilst searching for the shoebill.
Malachite Kingfisher
Blue-breasted Bee-eater (not seen this one before, although we’ve seen plenty of other bee-eater species).
African Jacana - I just love their freakily long toes.
Pied Kingfisher
It was beautiful and peaceful, even though we were all frantically scanning around for the Shoebill (despite the three of us not really knowing what we were looking for!)
This is the other boat.
The water lilies were very pretty and this Cattle Egret just about managed to stay in shot.
Purple Heron which could possibly be another new one for us.
Squacco Heron
Long-tailed Cormorant and several Egrets
