Flying over Uganda

It's been awhile since I had the chance to update my blog! The next few posts will finish up my time in Uganda - then Kenya!

S

ince, I spend most of my week days sitting in an office, typing fevershisly (to finish the projects I am working on) I truly look forward to my weekends!

My last two weekends in UG were a blast, so jam packed! One of my most exciting adventures, was getting to meet and make a new freinds with Sanae and Howard. I was e-introduced to Sanae via my friend Joel. Joel met Sanae on his trip through Uganda earlier this year. Sanae and Howard are both pilots for a charter airline service here in Kampala.

Sanae and groundcrew guy

Luckily, I was able to meet up with Sanae on Sunday. She was taking a flight out to Kidepo National Park - to drop pff supplies (Gin/Vodka) :) to the Apoka Resort Lodgeand to pic up passengers. She invited me to join her on the flight! It was so great to really get out of the city and see what another part of this beautiful country looks like.
http://www.safariuganda.com/apoka_lodge.htm

Kidepo National Park tag line is " You Can't Get More Remote Than This!". Seriously, there is not much around. Kidepo is in the middle of nowhere - it is tucked into the corner of Uganda's border with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end in rugged horizon (per tour guide book).
http://www.uwa.or.ug/kidepo.html


The following are some pics from the flight into Kidepo

Over Kampala

Over Lake Victoria

Following Rivers

Rivers Merging

Nile River and Farms


I have no idea how pilots actually find places in the bush. I know there is GPS, maps - following the Nile River .... I was amazed at Sanae's keen eyesight and how she even saw the resort and the landing strip out of nowhere!

Our arrival into Kidepo

Kidepo Landing strip

Me in the Middle of Nowhere!

Beautiful Apoka Moutians

Doesn't this look like and old painting!

The weather was perfect for flying (a bit hazy) but, beautiful non the less. However, on the decent back into Kampala a storm a had came up quickly off Lake Vic. Sanae had to land the plane in a total downpour! It was a bit intense .... since the landing strip had turned into a swap on red mud. She was so calm, and landed the plane like a true pro! Both, I and the other passenger cheered once we were on the ground!

All in all it was a great trip!