Uganda - My African Experience
What’s the first image that enters your brain upon hearing the words Uganda? Troubled history, genocide, terror, poverty, AIDS, etc?
Traveling to Uganda was an impromptu experience. The main reason for heading to East Africa stems from the Victoria or White Nile river. The Nile’s origin begins in Uganda and spills north into Egypt finally entering the Mediterranean. Amongst the crocodiles, hippos, and various revolutionary groups exists world class high volume whitewater. In the case of the White Nile, a damming operation that will be completed this December of 2009 will completely destroy most major sections of whitewater on the Nile, not only hindering a local economy based on the whitewater industry’s tourism, but mainly from the fact that none of the power produced by the dam will be distributed amongst the Ugandans as it’s all been bought up by foreign countries in the region.
Due to this urgency in running such a classic piece of river before destruction, having a plethora of time, and not wanting to travel India for three plus weeks before my New Zealand flight, a fellow American kayaking friend Monica Goekey and I opted to give the Nile a go.
Spending three plus weeks in the country was an experience I’ll never forget. Never have I traveled through a more impoverished place with such a turbulent and violent history. East Africa feels like a cursed place at times, and that feeling often looms over one’s head while in transit. Stunning beautiful at times, scary at others, and simply an “experience”, Uganda was well worth the ticket.
The White Nile is a big water and freestyle kayakers paradise. Easy logistics, epic big water rapids, warm water, and friendly locals, it’s no wonder so many international paddlers have ventured to the Nile on more than one occasion. Having never paddled such styles before, I was aptly pleased to take a few good river beatings, issue a few of my own, and take with me not only many new techniques but many new friends as well. More complete river experiences, tall tales, and kayaker jargon will be available on my paddling blog within the next month or so.
Wanting a break from the strict kayaking only regime, I opted to see more of Africa and traveled to Murchison Falls National Park in Northern Uganda participating in a three day “big game” safari. This side trip was another experience that I’ll never forget. Our group was fortunate enough to see Rhinos, Lions, Giraffes, Baboons, Crocodiles, Wild Boar, etc etc. Seeing animals of such size and prowess is an experience that goes beyond explanation. It’s amazing.
Uganda. An experience second to none and one that I’ll never forget.