25 July 2019: Murchison Falls

The morning chorus at Bwana Tembo Lodge produced Grant’s Francolin, White-headed Barbet, Silverbird and Red-headed Quelea. I was the only one fortunate enough to see the White-headed Turaco, and as a result I was given the silent treatment at breakfast as the rest of the group were licking their wounds.

Northern Ground Hornbill, Murchison.

Northern Ground Hornbill, Murchison

Our second day at Murchison Falls National Park was spent travelling through the reserve in the lodge’s game-viewing vehicle as our vehicle again left us in the lurch. We headed to the Murchison Falls in the Victoria Nile between Lake Albert and Lake Kyoga. The grassy plains were filled with Kob antelope, Rothchild’s Giraffe, Jackson’s Hartebeest and Oribi, while the areas with scattered palm trees produced Heuglin’s Spurfowl, Northern (Abyssinian) Ground Hornbill, Black-billed Barbet, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Stout Cisticola as well as Red-throated Bee-eater and Little Weaver. This time we crossed the Victoria Nile during normal working hours, keeping a beady eye on the massive crocodile that followed in the wake of the ferry.

Silverbird, Murchison

Western Banded Snake Eagle, Murchison

The falls were very impressive, and I had my photo taken with a bottle of Nile Beer in my hand. We all got wet in the mist spray of the falls and found numerous Rock Pratincoles loafing on the rocks in the river. On the way back to the lodge we ticked Red-faced Crombec, Copper Sunbird, Vinaceous Doves and a Martial Eagle standing on a kill. The evening was again spent in the excellent company of Captain Morgan.

Martial Eagle, Murchison

Nile River and Nile Beer