3rd February - Lake Mburo


We were woken up at 6.30am with tea/coffee and had breakfast at 7am for a 7.30am game drive.  Not our favourite thing but it’s the last game drive of the holiday so we were all determined to go.
Giraffe

Zebra
















We started off with a couple of crowned cranes followed by a large flock of tree wood hoopoes, which we were thrilled by.  Then it was onto red necked gamefowl and an immature lilac breasted roller.  We stopped to admire some giraffes and then some zebra - I just love watching them graze - could sit there for hours!! 

Eland antelope
However, Shindishi was on a mission as wanted to find us the reclusive and shy eland antelopes.  He knew several locations where we might find them so we went to all of them - no sign of them.  We did come across a bad-tempered buffalo sitting in the middle of the road soaking up its heat, who eventually shifted for us.  We visited a watering hole where they’re often found, but all we saw were the remains of a dead eland and a couple of hippos.  We had one more option, and this time we were lucky - it was quite surreal as there were 3 males grazing with a huge herd of the local long horned cattle being illegally grazed within the NP.  So, our final mission was accomplished!!

Bushbuck with her young baby
We got back to find Mum’s tent had been raided by baboons.  They’d pinched her soap, broken some glasses and a pitcher of water, stolen her deodorant and eaten her apples and an orange.  To add insult to injury, they’d also left 2 calling cards on her front deck.  We’d had a visitation too as our soap was also missing, but that was it as far as I could ascertain.

We then enjoyed a drink and lunch overlooking the plain.  Just below us is a salt lick and we were able to watch 4 warthogs and a group of impala enjoying it.  There was a young male impala hanging around the edge of the harem, but the chief male was having none of it and kept chasing him away.
I’m now back at our tent and sitting outside on the decking.  I can hear thunder rumbling and a breeze is getting up and the temperature is dropping - think we might have some rain coming.  I can see rain in the distance so guess it’s heading our way.

White Browed Coucal
We now have a free afternoon to relax and read, catch up on the blog etc.

Tomorrow we start out journey home but have one last excursion planned.  We want to stop off at a big marsh just outside of Entebbe which will be our best chance of seeing shoebills. Crossed fingers we’ll be lucky.

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