At the Source of the Nile

Boat Tour

Sunday, Oct 20

 

 

Passing the jungle-carpeted cliffs along the banks of the Nile in our little thatched boat, we saw vine-endowed trees which were literally shaking with wild monkeys. Watching them swing over the cliff side was like sitting on the couch watching National Geographic...only without the couch.

 Or the popcorn. Or the pause button.



 

Our journey started from here, where we were staying near the shore of Lake Victoria. Our boat was very similar to the one pictured on shore: a long, wooden craft covered with a thatch canopy. Upon pulling out from the dock, we first circled around an inlet of the lake, following the shore for bird-watching purposes. 



Vivid canna lilies on shore near where we were staying

 











A woodland kingfisher sits atop a papyrus plant
 on the shore of Lake Victoria







 

A monitor lizard camouflages  into the papyrus



A yellow-billed stork stands with an egret
on a cage for tilapia fish-farming



"Mile Zero:" The Start of the Nile
Looking down the mouth of the Nile from a position on Lake Victoria

We next cut across a tilapia fish farming area to get towards the mouth of the Victoria Nile. Right where the current begins, near a small island where the lake meets the river, is the place that is considered to be "Mile Zero" of the Nile River. 

Long tailed cormorants filled the trees along
the banks of the river and the shore of the lake

A female African fish eagle

A majestically ugly marabou stork

You can't actually travel too far down the Victoria Nile from the lake, as you'll run across a large dam used to harness electrical power. But we did get within sight of the bridge before the dam before having to turn around and head back to Lake Victoria.

Traditional fishermen on Lake Victoria