Photo of the Week: Crossing the Road, South Western Uganda

Nicola Swann (Photo and Text)
10 October 2010

A rather odd gait for a giraffe! This photo was taken in Murchison Falls National Park, one of two parks in Uganda where you can spot an abundance of these graceful creatures.

But that’s not all that’s on offer in what is fast becoming Uganda’s most popular park. Covering an area of 3,840 square kilometres, the area is characterised by open plains, dotted with exotic Borassus Palms and Ugandan Kob, and host to a parade of elephants, lions, waterbucks, buffaloes and warthogs.

The highlight, however, is undoubtedly taking a boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of the Murchison Falls themselves. (The Falls were discovered in 1870 by an explorer called Sir Samuel Baker and were named after the President of the National Geographic Society, who sponsored his expedition.) From here, you can watch the river explode through a narrow cleft in a rock face, drop 43 metres and then continue its journey towards the Mediterranean. If that sounds impressive, don’t forget to look out for Nile crocodiles, hippos and an abundance of wildlife and spectacular birds along the way as well.

If you’re planning on visiting the area, why not also have your rod at the ready to try a spot of sport fishing? The park is a renowned fishing destination and during your expedition, your ‘catch of the day’ might include the mighty Nile perch or a cat fish or two.

Incidentally, this photo and others are soon be launched as part of Nicola Swann’s ‘Africa Close Up’ postcards!