Wild Fast https://www.wildfast.net Don't grow up, it's a trap! Fri, 12 Oct 2018 10:40:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.14 https://www.wildfast.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-wild_fast_logo_2-32x32.png Wild Fast https://www.wildfast.net 32 32 Back to mother Africa: Kenya, second round 2018 https://www.wildfast.net/2018/10/12/back-to-mother-africa-kenya-second-round-2018/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=back-to-mother-africa-kenya-second-round-2018 https://www.wildfast.net/2018/10/12/back-to-mother-africa-kenya-second-round-2018/#respond Fri, 12 Oct 2018 10:39:14 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=827 Here we are: next trip to mother Africa the incoming tuesday october 16th 2018.

This time I’ll have some day to run around visiting new places, some day to ride and fix my charity programs around Nairobi and Malindi and, finally, some day to rest beacouse I need it. General plan?

General plan will be:

North of kenya

I’ll spend some days heading north from Nairobi to Samburu passing through mount Kenya.  I did not yet visit this area and I want to check it out for 3 reasons:

– I would love to climb/trek the mount Kenya to the top in the next future, before attempting for the Kilimanjaro

Mount Kenya: 5.199mt, Kenya hightest mountain, Africa second hightest one. Photo credit: https://angama.com/

– I’m planning a solo ride with my bmw gs 800 adventure from south to north of Kenya

An amazing ride with a maxi-trail bike around Africa for a full dose of adrenaline, adventure and..life! Wildlife! Photo credit: unknown

– Next time I would love to spend more time heading norther ’till lake Turkana. Lake Turkana is everybody’s house: we all come from there..our first grand-grand…father/mother… If you want to have a look, here you can find an amazing timeline of the last decades of explorations and records

For over a century, explorers and scientists have been drawn to the Turkana Basin with a sense of awe for its remoteness and its secrets. The first paleontological expedition to the Turkana Basin occurred in 1902; the pace quickened soon after that, and in the following decades numerous expeditions explored the fossil deposits of Lake Turkana’s western shores. The east side of the lake, however, remained essentially unknown to paleontology until the 1960s. Photo credit: http://www.turkanabasin.org

 

South

I will get a charter flight (or a matatu…a local bus) to head south on the coast, picking up my Bajaji, the african motorcycle, and moving around as usual to discover new wild places, wild animals and mainly visit friends and…rest, think, meditate, breathe Africa and life..

The amazing seashore around Mambrui. Shot with a Mavic Pro drone.

 

Angaza Jr. School

I will catch up with my friend Thomas and getting to the Angazi Jr. School in kibokoni village to check the last works we did and planning the new ones with all the offers I got even this round (thanks thanks thanks..). This time I’m gonna buy even some soccers balls for the kids, they like it a lot..and I’ll sit down with them at school to take some more kiswahili classes 🤔😂

First charity project for the Angaza jr School of Kibokoni village, a great success!

Kibera family – Inua Mimi Rescue Center

I’ll heading north again to Nairobi to visit my friend Benson at the Inua Mimi rescue center in the Kibera slum, Nairobi’s ghetto. I’m looking forward to spend some time with him and his mom and, of course, with all the kids. Benson, ultimately, got his still camera broken up and it’s his way of communicate (amazingly) with the world to get helped with his precious project. So thanks to all of you guys, I will fix the situation with your contribute.

The big Family of the Inua Mimi Rescue Center of Kibera, Nairobi

 

Well, stay tuned here, on my facebook profile and on my instagram account “fastsky” for some update.

Thanks again to all, Asante sana

 

 

 

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Uganda 2018 – Welcome to the Jungle! https://www.wildfast.net/2018/06/15/uganda-2018-welcome-to-the-jungle-mountain-gorillas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uganda-2018-welcome-to-the-jungle-mountain-gorillas https://www.wildfast.net/2018/06/15/uganda-2018-welcome-to-the-jungle-mountain-gorillas/#respond Fri, 15 Jun 2018 21:20:09 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=718 -(all the following photos are taken on the road with a smartphone if not specified different)-

Day 1

..after a, let’s say, nice trip…and a run throughout Dubai airport due to a delay of french traffic controllers… finally got in Entebbe. Temperature is good, around 25-27 degrees, sun is hot but not strong: Entebbe is located at about 1.200mt asl.

My driver took me to the place I stay for the night and the fact that is fat from the city and actually in between the villages, turned into a really nice surprise: an oasi with a pond, full of trees (and vervet monkeys..), hammoks, sits where to stare at the sunset over the forest..good beer and food. Happy.

 

As I arrived, I asked where it is possible to do a mobile sim card with internet bundle (always a good way to stay in touch and for safety, even if you have a sat). I got offered to get a bodaboda (a moto-taxi-man) but I wanted to walk a bit and visit the villages so I did the same mistake that I do everytime I’m in Africa: asking to a local if a place is fat to walk or not. Mistake because for them is always close..some minutes walking by…

Well, after 90 minutes walking over red roads I came out in a main street where I’ve been able to contract a local mobile sim card. On the way back, I stopped in the village close to my compound to interact a bit with a big family and doing my speciality: playing with the kids to become the “white king of the village”, the super Mzungu.

I got even offered of a chair to stay more so I spent an hour with them: they speak more or less a good english but not kiswahili. Only a few people here understand kiswahili, influenced by Kenya closed about 2 hours from here.

Next step; getting some good local food. Tonight special: chapati and beans (my favourite), matoke potatoes and sweet ones, salads ans something I actually did not understand..

It’s about 8pm but I feel like it’s midnight so…back in the compound: room is simple but really comfortable and clean, with a nice view and a special “home made” radio: nature with its sound. That’s all I need.

I’m gonna jump on the bed because I’m really tired.

See you tomorrow…. click

(please donate for my school project if you feel it)





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Day 2

Wake up at 7.. I had a really good sleep. A healthy and good breakfast and here we are: on the road with my driver Charles. 

Charles is 64 and has 5 sons: 2 of them are just graduated as doctors. This costed him hours and hours of work far from his family but it is happy like this. As any african person I spent the time with, he wanna know more about me an my life: well, we will have about 6/7 hours drive for our destination of today: Fort Portal first and Kibale forest then.

We passed throughout many villages and towns along the road, fortunately with not so much traffic. Road are more or less in a good situation: some hole sometimes, some death animal, someone crossing walking by and some undone terrain road. Nothing new. The news is that is everything up and downhill and all green: such an amazing view.

After a couple of hours we stopped to eat one of Uganda specialty: Kijaa, cooked bananas. We bought 4 from one of the street kids that actually tried to convince me to get even a couple of meat skewer (the meat had a known shape and didn’t seems cow..). 2000 Uganda shellins (about 50cents) and we left. Cooked bananas are really tasty and are more fleshy than usual ones. Here in Uganda they have 4 types of babanas: standard yellow ones (1 big and 1 small), a green one that they cook or fry and this one that is sweeter and they usually eat it for breakfast or during the day.

After climbing uphill ‘till about 1.800mt asl, we arrive to a sacral place he want me to see: Nakalima, a huge tree that is the spirit of the people. All around the tree there is a carpet of hay, to keep its root warm. To get close to it, is mandatory to unwear the shoes, sign of respect. Here, many kids of the school are having a class with the teacher that suddenly came to me to tell me that the kids want to have a photo with me..after having some fun with them, I took a tour around the tree: many people are laying down close to it offering food, water or what they have. They believe that praying it, it will bring richness, health, work, food..so they spend time under Nakalima hoping for some gifts.

Headed west to Fort Portal we stop to eat in a local place and than a couple of hour more. In this part of the trip we passed throughout kind of paradise: blue sky, green hills made of green-tea plantations brightening under the sun.. In this region there is the biggest production of green-tea to be exported in all the world and actually, is still all “hand-made”: men and women are spending the whole day bent in the plantations to cut the leafs, fill up the big baskets the wear on their back and take them to the main road where someone will recollect them…and back again in the plantations, up and downhill..all day long…

After some document-fixing to get the permit for tomorrow to go into a reserve area in the Kibale forest…we arrived to the place I’m gonna spend the next 2 nights: a magnific tented camp in the middle of the forest. Maybe is not for everyone, but I love it. Ok, the bath is about 50 meters far and at night you need a light and a bit of courage but come one…is the jungle…and there is a bath!

Over my tent is full of monkeys and can’t leave my shoes outside…we don’t want monkeys with shoes around the jungle. No wifi, no 3g (just a few and super slow emts)…but at least a 220v plug so I can charge all my stuff. Energy comes from solar panels.

A super shower, some laundry and let’s go for a beer and some food in the wood house the built up here close. 

A nice evening in listening to lot of sounds of the nature and….straight into my tent to prepare all the stuffs for tomorrow. 6:15 am I’ll leave for the jungle…animals wake up soon! And so me!

See you tomorrow… click!





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Day 3

5:30 wake up call…

5:45 a good energy breakfast

6.15 the driver is picking me up from the tent camp; destination: jungle.

I had the possibility to patrol de jungle with a ranger to track some sub-groups of chimpanzee not yet habituated to humans.

Day started not as the best one: after about 45’ walking, it began to rain like hell. Ponchos on, but I did a mistake: I brought the short one and not the real poncho. Result: pants wet and backpack too even with its cover. T-shirt a little bit as well. Fortunately, the most important thing is dry: the feet. And the cameras..

We spent about 4 hours walking in the jungle under the rain, some times on some track , other times in between a tight vegetation.

Unfortunately, when is wet or is raining, chimps prefer to stay on the high trees eating, resting and f… ops… mating. 

We spotted several males and females building a nest or moving from tree to tree to get food. They have a nice diet: 70% of fruit, 20% of leafs and 10% of meat. Meat comes normally from other smaller monkeys such as the red-tailed monkey that they kill and eat. How? Well…first of all, chimps eat meat just when they are full of energies to be sure to be strong enough to run and jump through the trees; this happen normally 1/2 times a month.

To hunt, they are divided in 4 “unofficial groups”: drivers, chasers, ambushers and catchers. The males plan everything and some female can join but not evreryone. After chasing and ambushing the prey, the catchers get her tail while trying to escape, they trow her down and start to lunch it side to side holding it from the tail till it get dizzy.

Then, they bring it to the alpha male that open its chest and eat the liver or the heart. Once ate, the rest of the body is gifted to the others components.

Rain stopped and some chimps started to climb down a little bit but unfortunately not too much because the ground is wet and muddy and they prefer to stay over the tree resting and eating.

After about 11 hours in the jungle we came out with a nice experience in the closet. Now, time for a big shower (hoping not cold) and to rest a bit while sorting out the photos of the day.

Tonight, I invited Charles for dinner and we talked about our families and countries. 9pm, time to go sleep…I’m very tired and tomorrow will be a long day even if lucky I’m gonna sleep more, till about 7:30am.

See you tomorrow…. Click!





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Day 4

Wake up call a little bit more late at 7:30. Has been a rainy night and actually is still a bit. I wanted to visit the swamp that cross a couple of villages where many primates lives togheter with hundreds of bird species but… due to the weather I prefer to change the plans and, accordingly to Charles, we deviate to visit a bit more the area: we took on road that goes through the hill and…a green paradise opens up to my eyes. Amazing green hills made of bananas plantations, ground-nuts, mais..with some house in the middle sometimes totally covered; lakes settled into volcanos craters..a really beautiful and relaxing view. I spotted several bird such as the kingfisher, the crested eagles… and lot of good moments. 

Driving up and downhill in the common african red roads, in between plantations and villages, I saw many instants that I’ll never forget; the best one? a beautiful woman walking barefoot while covering by the rain with a big palm leaf over the head. I did not shoot the photo because I wanted to fully enjoy that moment so deep.

On the road, I spotted a big community center with a school, a christian church and lot of kids playing around. I decided to stop and visit the church, conscious about creating some mess with the kids: and it happened. 

I have not even been able to open the door that dozens of kids came to me: as usual they wanted to touch me, to take my hand and mainly touch my forearm tattoo. I tried to keep them calm but it’s a mission impossible. Just the time to visit the church and ask God to protect their future (and our) that we left because they had to start again with the school and if I’m here it’s never gonna happen.

Back again in the car, a short stop to change the money ( I actually got a good locals street change, thanks to my funny kiswahili) and buy some water and ground-nuts and then headed straight to Queen Elizabeth park.

A stop at the Equator it’s mandatory before continuing…

Just before arriving, a stop for some local food where I tried a super energetic local dish called Kaloo, that “should” be a mix of water, flavour of something, carbon and..sand.. a good hit to my intestine bacterias fortunately already fine tuned. 

George stopped before to buy some mango and the girl of the “restaurant” cutted it for us and served it on a plate: we ate it on the car.

Passed the bridge on the Kazincha channel, we finally arrived to the place I’ll stay for the next 2 nights: a nice tent over the lake from where you constantly hear hippos roaring an elephants, besides lot of birds singing…at 6 am. To go out of the tent at night you need a flashlight or, better if you are not used to, to call one of the guards: it’s the wild..and you can have a close encounter with a hippo or elephant etc.. If you don’t know how to react, can turn out to be dangerous.

After some paperwork, we went for a first short safari of a couple of hours and then back to the tent. Tonight I had my first close-contact: I went out of the tent at 4am to piss and…I met a hippo gazing around: a bit scared (hippos are unpredictable and can be really dangerous), I slowly step-back to get back into my tent. 

So…time to sleep, see you tomorrow…click!





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Day 5

Wake up call at 5:30 – this morning I’ll go with a researcher and conservationist to track lions. After some amazing view of grazing elephants families at sunrise, we went straight into the park for the meeting and the briefing.

The researcher came in our car and started to use a directional antenna to track lion positions: those lions have a collar that permit the researcher to find them and see if they are good or, actually, alive…

While driving I firstly met a dead body of a hippo devoured by a male lion we will meet later: the smell of the body is incredible, is a smell of death that remind me a day of long time ago when I was deployed on duty. 

After approx a hour we met an old female lion relaxing in the grass; than mom and son lions playing and then climbing onto their favourite trees: the cactus one. Both were panting: why? Because they have eaten a lot of meat (protein and fats): eating too much meat create an acid environment in their stomach (our too) so while panting their are able to increase the level of carbonate to regulate the pH (we do the same as a physiologically defence through the deep breathing).

Meanwhile the researcher is once again called by some local people and he gets angry: locals living in the park are telling him they will kill some lion during the next days because at night it ate some of their cows. Problem? the park built them up fences for their animals but they still leave them outside at night…what do you expect to? A cow is a super easy prey for a lion… “You can tell them many times, they don’t understand. You can’t trust in humans”….how not to agree…?

After having spotted other lions, back to eat something and then I took a boat to explore the Kazinga channel: Kazinga channel link Lake St. George to Lake Eduard (which is 50/50 between Uganda and DR Congo).

A couple of hours spotting amazing landscapes and wildlife: kingfishers a go-go coming out from their nests to fish and back, fisher eagles, hippos, buffalos, nile crocodiles, pelicans etc etc. 

Fortunately, today I’ve been able to cut out a couple of hours of free time: I need it. 90 minutes to sort out the amount of photos I took during the day and 30’ to nap.. then dinner.  

9pm, I’m already in the bed really tired. So..

See you tomorrow…click!





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Day 6

Tonight I slept a lot and really well. I woke up regenerated at 6:30 even if the alarm has been set at 7:30. The sound of the nature helped me to wake up.

This morning we will have breakfast and then back con the road headed south-south-east: a 6 hours drive to the Lake Bunyonyi. My trip as I planned it should finish with a coming back to Entebbe the 8th day but I decided to do a stop more on the way back because, talking with some peoples, I got tell about a really nice place over the hill with a view on the lake and park Mburo..can’t say no.

On the road I stop almost every now and then: the view is always beautiful with an ocean of plantations and colours. 

I stop in lakeshore to take a photo and I got “disturbed” by a guy (not a news) that tried to convince me that I had to pay him something cause that area belong to him.. After explaining I’m not a “tourist” and I don’t like to be fucked..he came close and my driver arrived to be sure nothing happened.

Back on the road, I got a couple of view totally mind-blasting and that made me think… Prisoners with a yellow suit digging in a cave and a man under a civil arrest by some citizens that beaten him up for robbery, put him handcuffs made with a cord and transported him to the closest police station. Things that sometimes I would love to see in our “civilised world”… I also have “lost” some photos: sometimes the moments, the looks, the situations are pretty hard and you need sometimes to metabolize them; the last thing you want is to break this moment getting the camera.

“The best photo I did? the one I did not do…”

On the road is always possible to see lot of “musingi”: bricks pile that people make to sell. Practically: they dig in the ground, make brick shapes using the water and let them to dry up some days. Then, they build a pile of them (sometimes really big with about 3-5.000 bricks..!) leaving some tunnel down under. When it’s made, they put fire in those tunnels; what happen: the pile start to get really hot and when the entire structure change color becoming almost black…they are ready to be sold and used in the construction of houses..! Kids, women and men work into this.

After a fast meal, a steep uphill road drive us up to 1900mt asl to the Lads Bunyonyi: what a beautiful view from my easy accomodation!

We have free time today so I decided to go out of the lodge to visit the saturday market all around the place on the lakeshore and then, I went for a hike to the top of the hill at about 2300mt asl.

During the way I met Samari, a sweet girl of about 8/9 years old that wanted to come with me helping me out to find the right track. I was panting due to the inclination of the track but in comfort with my technical shoes… She was breathing normal and hiking barefoot… 

I took some photos of the 29 island located in the lake and then climbed down, stopping to visit the house of Samari. I met her mom, sister and grandma, bought them some handcraft gadget and back to the lodge with Samari that wanted to come. I gave her a dollar to buy some pens as a thanks for guiding me..and then I ask her to go back home cause it was getting dark.

At dinner time, it started to rain: cold cold cold. Needed to wear a jacket: temperature went down to 9 degrees C. Fortunately in the bedroom, “under cover”, it’s not cold!

Tomorrow…is THE DAY: 5am wake up and an amazing day is waiting for me…. Mountains Gorillas, I’m coming!

Click!





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Day 7

I’m really excited and can’t sleep properly. Weather seems to be good: no clouds, but difficult to say because is still night outside. Fast breakfast and again hitting the road: 2 hours up and downhill to get in Bwindi.

We were “in time”: meeting and briefing were at 8 but…..on the road…. I got a magic surprise: the scenario it’s amazing. An ocean of fog, mist, in between the mountains and the forest, with some tops coming out from that white sea… Something unbelievable. And the kids (is saturday morning, no school..) walking with the common yellow tanks to go get the water…

Arrived at destination, we got a briefing and then ready to go.. In accord with the guide and the ranger, we want for the “hardest” track: some times shorter but up and downhill, mostly challenging.

Lot of mud, I fallen down a couple of time  because it was really slippery. Then a pond: as I stepped in , my leg completely went down with the water till the knee… and the the tight “impenetrable” jungle of Bwindi. Uphill, steep, with a tight vegetation. As you walk, difficult to say if you gonna hook into something, or get deep into it…. humidity is high, lot of mosquitos, sure lot of ticks..

 

but after some hours……..I completely fallen into a mom Gorilla with her kid.

 

I really don’t know what to say: the emotion I felt is something unique. I was 1 meter far from a 200kgs mountain gorilla and her kid. She was looking at me while eating. Then I moved and she got nervous: the ranger talked to her in “gorilla language” telling her “stay calm, we are friends”. And she did.

Don’t really know what to say.. a magical moment I’ll keep in my heart forever and ever. 

We moved a little bit and we met an enormous Silverback: the head is 3/4 times our head.. huge.

We spent a hour with them really close, trying to walk in that tight vegetation without disturbing them.

Them, we climbed down. I got a diploma and  say thanks with all my heart to the rangers.

Before hiking, the community of Bwindi is there to ask you if you want to get your backpack transported by them for 15$. The moneys goes to the community. I preferred to take my backpack cause I’m used to hike but I gave them 20$ for their work.

When I was closed to the mom Gorilla, I had tears coming down on my face…it was like living a dream, really. Didn’t seems like reality.

I took the whole afternoon to “absorb” the emotions I felt and sorting out the photos… 

At dinner time, Charles arrived trembling: he thinks he have malaria. I tried to convince him to get to the hospital or take some pills but he preferred to go back to the room. They are kind-of used to but…it’s always malaria..

So I had dinner by myself, updated the blog, chatted with some friend and back to my room to prepare the backpack for the next day. Destination: park Mburo!

Time to sleep…. click!





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Day 8

Charles looks better: I proposed him to let me drive but he assure he is better.

After the same beautiful panoramas on the road, we stopped to have lunch and he went to a pharmacy: 24 tablets of Lumartem to cure the malaria, 5.000 shellins (about 1.10€)…… Now, 2018, millions of people (mainly kids and olds) still die for malaria…. unbelievable..

We arrived on the road that will drive us to the place where we are gonna spend the night: far away, I see a big high hill with some tent over it… there they are!

The place is amazing…from my tent I can see all the valley, all the savannah and the Lake Mburo… The tent is crazy, I even have a private and clean bathroom just behind it that I can access directly from my tent…so I can have a hot shower looking at the stars! (well, I can even sit on the wc and looking at the sky…)

There are no plugs but….I have my battery pack and my 28w solar panel. I placed it under the sun outside of the tent to then discover that I’m surrounded by monkeys, small grey vervet monkeys… One of them, decided probably to go on facebook because it tried to rob my iPhone!

At 4pm, I went for a game drive in the savannah down here for a couple of hours.

And then back uphill for an amazing dinner with an incredible view: tonight, tilapia fish really well cooked and some side dishes as rise, vegetables, irish potatoes, lentils…and a cup of white wine.

Surprise of the night: I was taking a magnific shower under the stars when, turning back, I had the same monkey looking at me… 

Half hours sitter outside looking at the panorama under a full moon and a starry night and… bed is calling. Tomorrow morning, a bush walking a 6:30.

See you tomorrow….click!





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Day 9

Last day, last morning…it need to be super!

06:30am I’m back in the park: a ranger is waiting for me for a bush walk that is walking in the open savannah.

The guy has a rifle, it’s mandatory for the security but 99,9% of the time there’s no need to use it. Why? because wildlife can be dangerous, it’s true..but it’s not like they paint it. If you know how to move, where and how to react in case of a dangerous meeting..nothing will ever happen. Some animals are really difficult to spot but..they see you and smell you very well, and they are not waiting for you.

Some animals like buffalos, hippos and elephants can be aggressive under certain circumstances but there’s no reason to make it happen. My ranger stepped a few time at some meter from a leopard and once he finally saw it, he just step back and changed his direction.

Mind that many people still live in the open savannah and lions or other animals are not they’re cause of death. 

Sometimes while driving a car for a game drive in the bush, is common to see people back and forth with motorcycles or bicycles going to get water or women walking to get wood..

After a couple of hours walking, we went back and I finally had my breakfast…a good shower…and then had to prepare the backpack to leave this beautiful place.

The guys in charge of the place gave me back the clothes I asked to wash: there are no washing machine.. they normally give them to some mamas that manually wash it with a home made ash soap and let them dry on the grass or over some bush.

Ready on the road again, after some hours we stopped at the equator to have lunch, get some souvenir and then back on the car for the last couple of hours to Entebbe.

Yesterday evening, while preparing the photo of the stars I posted before, I slided my hand under a wood pole of the tent and I got pinched by something on my left index finger feeling some strong pain for some second. I thought I got a sliver or so but cannot actually find it to remove it. So I put some antibiotic-antistaminic-cortisonic cream I always take with me when I go to Africa and passed the night.

Today I had my finger double-sized and sometimes it itches a lot but can’t find the sliver. So actually I decided to see and try the health care in Uganda…: I stopped in a village and went to the local medic. The “clinic” is something really different from the ones we are used to. Once in, the receptionist was looking a football match with a friend and called the doctor.  He tried to open up the skin where the supposed sliver got in but without success..he think as well that probably I got beaten by some insect.

Results? Antitetanic injection and some antibiotic pills… Well, I was thinking anyway to get an antitetanic as soon as I would have been at home but…I’m already here..

Fixed this, in a hour or so we arrived at the place I’ll stay for the night… a nice room with a comfortable bed is waiting for me and literally calling me: time to talk a bit with Charles to organise another trip inviting him for a tea… some greetings before he leave (I’ll miss him, has been really like travelling with a father..) and I went straight to bed  to rest without having dinner, fixing the photos and updating this article.

Tomorrow….late wake up, late check out. No alarm… sometimes, I need it!

So….. see you tomorrow…click!





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Day 9 – Last day

As already said: late wake up. I actually opened the eyes a couple of time around 6 and 7 due to the sounds of nature but I really woke up around 9. A nice breakfast and ready to start the day.

Need to get cash: in all Uganda I really found a few places accepting credit cards. You can actually find a cash machine in every town but payments are 99% of the time in cash. So I walked to the Victoria Mall and back to get some money to pay the room. On the way to go and back I stopped to the family of the small village of the firs day, close to where I’m staying. Met the kids and played a bit with them. I even gave them 3 snack I had with me: they did not know how to open them so I had to help them out and then…they did not know how to eat them; they were just licking like an ice cream…

On the way back, I stopped again and… a peanut, one of the kids, came to me with a bunch of bananas as a gift or having spent time with them and having gifted some of my snacks. Can’t totally accept it: I just ate one for respect but many thoughts came to my mind.. It’s incredibile.

“Many times you find richness when there is nothing, and nothing when there is richness..”

Lunch, packing up and…taxi to Entebbe airport.

It’s really done. I’ll miss a lot Uganda, this trip really worth its value. Another magnific place to visit with many kind people. Probably they’re true to say..Uganda: the perl of Africa.

 

So… next year, 2019, I’m gonna organize a trip here of about 10 days walking more or less the same steps I did in this trip. If you are interested, contact me.

Thanks for supporting… bye!

 





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…Wild Shop..coming soon..! https://www.wildfast.net/2018/06/14/coming-soon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coming-soon https://www.wildfast.net/2018/06/14/coming-soon/#respond Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:06:03 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=671 Soon, the Wild Shop will be available offering you the best accessories, clothes, hotels and everything for travelling, outdoor, survival and….fun!

 

Stay tuned!

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Garmin InReach+ data plans: Garmin Vs. ProteGear https://www.wildfast.net/2018/06/06/garmin-inreach-satellite-data-plans-garmin-vs-protegear/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=garmin-inreach-satellite-data-plans-garmin-vs-protegear https://www.wildfast.net/2018/06/06/garmin-inreach-satellite-data-plans-garmin-vs-protegear/#comments Wed, 06 Jun 2018 17:46:52 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=624 Have you bought a brand new Garmin InReach+ or another 2-way communication satellite device for you next adventures? Do you know there is an opponent to the Garmin market about the services plan they offer and that, probably, it worth the value? Keep reading….

I bought some weeks ago a brand new Garmin InReach+ Explorer device for my next trip to Africa and, reading a lot in the jungle of forums available on the web, I discovered that Garmin is not the only provider for the satellite communication based on Iridium out there.

The Iridium satellite constellation provides L-band voice and data coverage to satellite phones, pagers and integrated transceivers over the entire earth surface. Iridium Communications, originally developed by  Motorola and conceived in the early 1990s, owns and operates the constellation, additionally selling equipment and access to its services. The constellation consists of 66 active satellites in orbit required for global coverage and additional spare satellites to serve in case of failure. Satellites are in low earth orbit at a height of approximately 781 km ; orbital velocity of the satellites is approximately 27.000 km/h.

Who got into the business?

ProteGear is a company located south of Germany which offers many satellite-linked services like the one for the gps/security-beacon devices as the InReach+ (Garmin or DeLorme), Spot and actually all the ones that operate through Iridium and GEOS Search & Rescue. Their range of services stands out in the market providing more specific additional features like the dead-man switch ( SOS is automatically operated if the human operator becomes incapacitated, such as through death, loss of consciousness, or being bodily removed from control), a settable altitude limit, dangerous zones, drifting limits (open sea), geofence, crash alert, avalanches, low battery etc..

Situations which, when the position goes out of the limits you configured, trigger the SOS or send preset help messages based on the escalation of the situation.

The Smart Safety option (Global SafeTrack Systems)

As anticipated before, one of the most useful features of ProteGear is the Smart Safety (that comes as an option at a “ridiculous” price of € 9,95 per month); this service makes ProteGear wins hands-down versus Garmin, placing the company in an operational range way larger and structured than the famous brand, becoming definitely more actractive and usable for consumers who step into hard expeditions and extreme sports such as paragliding, hanggliding, air sports, water sports, mountain sports..and even for lone workers, rangers, guides..

The Smart Safety applies to multiple devices too, allowing to track and monitor them in real-timewith “full informations”, so you can see statistics of the current session, with states, notifications, speed, altitudes and more. You can also initiate manual rescue navigation without the need to be online: all alarms will be sent automatically by SMS, email, API and rescue navigation to standard rescue facilities or your individual rescue chain, friends or team.

Let’s get into the comparison

Available informations on the Garmin web-page are not so exhaustive as the ProteGear ones, even if actually this last is a little bit confusing and not properly “user-friendly”.

Garmin is leader in the gps market and, after buying since a few time the DeLorme company which had originally developed the InReach+ and after re-designing it to be more attractive (but with a concrete step up in the final price), it fully stepped into the satellite communication market. The amount of clients can only grow up and its 40 years history marketing is definitely stronger than ProteGear.

Anyway, after having spent some hours in comparing the two business and their relative services trying to keep them on parallel lines to don’t misjudge and, with great success, after having had many chats with ProteGear technical service and customer care through their chat available on the web-page, I ended up to a conclusion: I decided to opt for and give my trust to ProteGear.

My conclusion is definitely subjective but based on a solid objective ground and a bit of “will of adventure” and to discover a new company growing up with great potentials.

How do I compared the two services

First of all, I rawly compared the main features without drawing conclusions: I just placed side by side the common features advertised on both the web-pages and then merged everything into a single schedule.

After, I got deeper in analyzing and comparing the two main data plans of each company to be able then to evaluate rationally which one to choose from a practical side, based on three different cases: a short medium risk trip, a large low to medium risk trip and a short risky trip.

First generic comparison

As anticipated, in the first comparison I just placed side by side the common features advertised on both the web-pages and then merged into a single schedule; here the results :

Comparison 1 - ProteGear Vs. Garmin
 ProteGearGarmin InReach
Usage area100% global100% global
Shortest activation periodPer year / month / week / day (B2B)Per year / month
Shortest tracking interval30”2'
GEOS & rescue coordinationinclusiveinclusive
Explorer+Mapsall maps availableonly Europe + Northern Africa
SMS
inclusiveinclusive
Email send & receiveinclusivesend directly, response only by website
Real Email-address per deviceinclusiven/a
Team Trackingavailable, needs?more data volumeonly in enterprise
Smart Safetyavailable as an extran/a
Rescue Navigationincluded in SmartSafety?n/a
inreach.garmin.com & MapShareinclusiveinclusive
EarthMate App (iOS & Android)inclusiveinclusive
TripShare / TripViewinclusivenot available
REST APIavailable on demandonly in enterprise
Tracking position messages1=1 messageunlimited

ProteGear

– pros: weekly and monthly subscription, entire world maps, real-email address (with Garmin, people have to write/anwer you through the web page), smart safety available as an extra

– cons: limited tracking position messages subtracted from the total ones

Garmin

– pros: unlimited tracking position messages

– cons: missing of a weekly subscription, Europe and north-Africa maps, messages answer and mails only through the inreach webpage, no optional similar to the ProteGear Smart Safety available

Neutral

– the 30″ tracking option available for ProteGear would be a great advantage for short and extreme part of the trip if it wouldn’t sucks the battery and the amount of available messages in a few time. It’s even true that the system itself can be setted up to automatically switch to an 8hrs tracking if not moving out of a fixed range (let’s say 100 meters).

In this first comparison it seems that ProteGear wins hands down even if Garmin has the solidity of its name by its side, with a feature like the unlimited tracking position messages that can make a big difference depending on the use; having a limited amount of them can take a user to dilate the range of pin-pointing the position trading his safety for some euros more on the bill..

Anyway, for this first comparison I would go for:

ProteGear 1 – Garmin 0

Second comparison – detailed data plans

As already said, in the second comparison I went deeper into the data plans selecting the most similars and the more attractive for a common user. What did I get? Look at the schedule:

Comparison 2 - ProteGear Vs. Garmin
 ProteGearProteGearGarminGarmin
Freedom 500Freedom 800Freedom RecreationFreedom Expedition
SOSUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Text message50080040Unlimited
Max char 1 message5050160160
UpgradeFreeFreeFreeFree
Stand-by€ 5,95€ 5,95€ 4,00€ 4,00
Weather infosFreeFree1 messageUnlimited
Track Interval10'->8hr30”->8hr10'+10'+
Pinpoint tracking1 msg1 msgUnlimitedUnlimited
Extra message€ 0,10€ 0,10€ 0,650
Una tantum activation€ 29,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly Price€ 37,95€ 45,95€ 44,99€ 79,99

ProteGear

– pros: selectable tracking interval starts from 30″ against the 2′ of Garmin. It’s also too much for a common user, even if in an expedition or while doing some extreme sport…: it might have sense for extremly dangerous sections such as in mountaineering at high altitudes etc..

– pros: another pro of ProteGear, the price of 0,10€ for every extra message out of the data plan compared to the 0,65€ of Garmin. It’s even true that with ProteGear is easier to get into this problem than with Garmin

– cons: 500/800 messages, even if not unlimited, are anyway a good data bundle; a sat device should be used only in case of emergency or to maintain a contact when no net is available. If we agree in 8 messages per day (in between sent and received), in a month we would fire 240 messages getting respectively 260/560 still available. Real problem of ProteGear are two: the limit of just 50 chars for every message (a policy probably based also to keep the spirit of these kind of devices that actually are not smrtphones..) and, mainly, the fact that every tracking position message discount 1 message. This is the real shame because, even if the system itself can be setted up to automatically to switch to an 8hrs tracking if not moving out of a fixed range (let’s say 100 meters), in case of constant moving (hiking, sailing, auto, moto..) and tracking at, let’s say, 10′..in 6 hours 36 messages would be lost; in a week, an average of 240 messages (plus, the ones sent and received).

Garmin

– pros: in terms of messages, Garmin wins. Expedition data bundle even gives an unlimited amount of them. Messages are of 160 chars (against 50 of ProteGear) and, mainly, are independents from the tracking position ones.

Neutral:

– price of the stand-by months is slightly cheaper with Garmin but ProteGear compensate with the monthly fee, the una-tantum and the cost to change plan.

Let’s talk about prices

I didn’t talk about prices in the previous pros/cons part because there are several variables that can influence the judge, not only the mere sum. It’s clear that ProteGear actually has better prices but the best way to make a judgment, in my opinion, is through a comparison of real possible scenarios.

Possible scenarios:

1 trip per year with the remaining months in standby (1 activation, 11/10 standby)

Case 1

Traveller profile: low to medium risk

Travel duration: 12 days

Example: a trip around Kenya with a 4×4 and with/without a guide, safaris etc..

Case 2

Traveller profile: low to medium risk

Travel duration: 60 days

Example: a trip to New Zeland north to south with a motorhome, trekking, hiking, stopping wherever..

3 trip per year with the remaining months in standby (3 activations, 9 standby)

Case 3

Traveller profile: high risk

Travel duration: 15 days, 2 of which demanding with a high risk component for 7 hours/day

Example: a mountaineer hiking to the base camp and then climbing above glaciers to the top and down for 2 days. He travel 3 times a year.

Cost-benefit analysis case 1

 ProteGear Freedom 500ProteGear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 29,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 37,95€ 45,95€ 44,99€ 79,99
Stand-by€ 65,45€ 65,45€ 44,00€ 44,00
Total cost€ 132,40€ 140,40€ 113,98€ 148,98
Msgs used4604604040
Msgs left403400unlimited

Stand-by=monthly stand-by fee x 11 months

Msgs used= estimate of:

6 hrs/day x 10′ tracking = 36 msgs

2 hrs/day x 30′ tracking = 4 msgs

16 hrs/day x 8hr tracking = 2 msgs

4 messages received / day = 4 msgs – Tot. 46 x 10 days = 460 msgs

* Tracking messages doesn’t apply to Garmin because are unimited

* Messages sent and received (2 way communication): I estimated 4 messages sent and 4 received for a total of 8 messages; due the fact that, for both Garmin and ProteGear, preset messages doesn’t count, just 4 are to be count (for both of 160 chars).

* I removed from the count 2 days (as travel days)

As you can see, if we were going to rank them, we would obtain:

By messages

1- Garmin Freedom Expedition

2- ProteGear Freedom 800

3- Protegear Freedom 500

4- Garmin Freedom Recreation

By price

1- Garmin Freedom Recreation

2- ProteGear Freedom 500

3- ProteGear Freedom 800

4- Garmin Freedom Expedition

Merging everything:

Overall case 1

1- ProteGear Freedom 800

2- Garmin Freedom Recreation

3- Garmin Freedom Expedition

4- ProteGear Freedom 500

Cost-benefit analysis case 2


ProteGear Freedom 500Protegear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 29,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 75,90€ 91,90€ 89,98€ 159,98
Stand-by€ 59,50€ 59,50€ 40,00€ 40,00
Total cost€ 164,40€ 180,40€ 154,97€ 0,00
Msgs used17001700200200
Msgs left-700-100-120unlimited
Extra msgs€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,65 /cad.unlimited
Extra cost€ 70,00€ 10,00€ 78,00unlimited
Total cost€ 234,40€ 190,40€ 232,97€ 224,97

Stand-by=monthly stand-by fee x 10 months

Msgs used= estimate of:

3 hrs/day x 10′ tracking = 18 msgs

5 hrs/day x 30′ tracking = 10 msgs

16 hrs/day x 8hr tracking = 2 msgs

4 messages received / day = 4 msgs – Tot. 34 x 50 days = 1.700 msgs

* Tracking messages doesn’t apply to Garmin because are unimited

* Messages sent and received (2 way communication): I estimated 4 messages sent and 4 received for a total of 8 messages; due the fact that, for both Garmin and ProteGear, preset messages doesn’t count, just 4 are to be count (for both of 160 chars).

* I removed from the count 2 days (as travel days) and other 8 as a “rest week” with no need of tracking.

As you can see, if we were going to rank them, we would obtain:

By messages

1- Garmin Freedom Expedition

2- ProteGear Freedom 800

3- Protegear Freedom 500

4- Garmin Freedom Recreation

By price

1- ProteGear Freedom 800

2- Garmin Freedom Expedition

3- Garmin Freedom Recreation

4- Protegear Freedom 500

Merging everything:

Overall case 1

1- ProteGear Freedom 800

2- Garmin Freedom Expedition

3- Garmin Freedom Recreation

4- ProteGear Freedom 500

Cost-benefit analysis case 3


ProteGear Freedom 500Protegear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 29,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 113,85€ 137,85€ 134,97€ 239,97
Stand-by€ 53,55€ 53,55€ 36,00€ 36,00
Total cost€ 196,40€ 220,40€ 195,96€ 300,96
Msgs used20222022156156
Msgs left-522378-36unlimited
Extra msgs€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,65 /cad.unlimited
Extra cost€ 52,20€ 0,00€ 23,40unlimited
Total cost€ 248,60€ 220,40€ 219,36€ 300,96

Stand-by=monthly stand-by fee x 9 months

Msgs used= estimate of:

7 hrs/day x 2′ tracking x 2 days = 420 msgs

16 hrs/day x 8hr tracking x 2 days = 4 msgs

8 hrs/day x 30′ tracking x 11 days = 176 msgs

16 hrs/day x 8hr tracking x 11 days = 22 msgs

4 messages received / day x 13 days= 52msgs – = 674 msgs x 3 = 2.022 msgs

* Tracking messages doesn’t apply to Garmin because are unimited

* Messages sent and received (2 way communication): I estimated 4 messages sent and 4 received for a total of 8 messages; due the fact that, for both Garmin and ProteGear, preset messages doesn’t count, just 4 are to be count (for both of 160 chars).

* I removed from the count 2 days (as travel days).

As you can see, if we were going to rank them, we would obtain:

By messages

1- ProteGear Freedom 800

2- Garmin Freedom Recreation

3- ProteGear Freedom 500

4- Garmin Freedom Expedition

By price

1- Garmin Freedom Recreation

2- ProteGear Freedom 800

3- Protegear Freedom 500

4- Garmin Freedom Expedition

Merging everything:

Overall case 1

1- ProteGear Freedom 800

2- Garmin Freedom Recreation

3- ProteGear Freedom 500

4- Garmin Freedom Expedition

Final analysis

How the device is used does the difference, that’s clear.. so each user have to make his calculations. By the way, what is evident is that ProteGear won in every scenario even if Garmin still can be of course a good option in trips and expeditions where a lot of tracking points and/or messages are needed.

Now, it’s up to you to modify the schedules above and calculate your cost-benefit, to be able then to decide what’s the best for you.

Another point to ProteGear goes to its technical service and customer care way more fast and present than Garmin; the guys there are really “on-air” via chat and via mail to solve every problem for you.

To conclude, the new ProteGear option “Safety Smart” for just € 9,95 per month with an infinite potential for every kind of trip give it all.

The new ProteGear option: Week 150

Since a few time it came up on the market a new weekly data plan, comparable to a Freedom 600: it’s called Week 150 and includes 150 unit-messages per week.

Let’s have a look:

 ProteGear Week 150
Active data plan per week€ 9,95
Standby-time€ 0,00
Basic Fee€ 79,00 / year
Change to and from stand-by modefree of charge, every day possible
One-time activation fee€ 0,00
SOS-Message (incl. GEOS Connection)Unlimited
Earthmate-App Navigation (iOS & Android)Included
ProteGear GlobalMail (unique email-adress per device)Activation included
Usage per email: 50 chars = 1 unit
Optional: ProteGear WeatherInfofree of charge / 4 message units needed
Included message units (Email, SMS send & receive, presets or each 50 chars) / track points150 per week
(complies with Freedom 600/month)
Tracking-intervals (shorter intervals consume more datas and battery)starting with 2 minutes, 5 , 10 ... up to 8 hours.
Overage fees per unit€ 0,10
Optional: ProteGear SmartSafety 
with automatic dead-man switch€3,95 / week (+ SMS-alarms)

If we were going to make another comparison, in example, for case 1

Cost-benefit analysis case 1 / Weekly


ProteGear Week 150Protegear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 79,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 19,90€ 45,95€ 44,99€ 79,99
Stand-by€ 65,45€ 65,45€ 44,00€ 44,00
Total cost€ 164,35€ 140,40€ 113,98€ 148,98
Msgs used4604604040
Msgs left-1603400unlimited
Extra cost€ 16,00€ 0,00€ 0,00unlimited
Total cost€ 180,35€ 140,40€ 113,98€ 148,98

As you can see, the Week 150 rate is not a good option for a traveller such the one of case 1.

Cost-benefit analysis case 3 / Weekly


ProteGear
Week 150
Protegear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 79,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 59,70€ 137,85€ 134,97€ 239,97
Stand-by€ 53,55€ 53,55€ 36,00€ 36,00
Total cost€ 192,25€ 220,40€ 195,96€ 300,96
Msgs used20222022156156
Msgs left-1122378-36unlimited
Extra msgs€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,65 /cad.unlimited
Extra cost€ 112,20€ 0,00€ 23,40unlimited
Total cost€ 304,45€ 220,40€ 219,36€ 300,96

Yet again, the Weel 150 is not a valid option

So when can be a good choice to go for the Week 150?

Let’s suppose to do, for work or pleisure, one week every two months at the same conditions as the previous case 1.

Every 2 monthsProteGear Week 150Protegear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 79,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 59,70€ 275,70€ 269,94€ 479,94
Stand-by€ 35,70€ 35,70€ 24,00€ 24,00
Total cost€ 174,40€ 340,40€ 318,93€ 528,93
Msgs used13801380120120
Msgs left-4803420120unlimited
Extra msgs€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,65 /cad.unlimited
Extra cost€ 48,00€ 0,00€ 0,00unlimited
Total cost€ 222,40€ 340,40€ 318,93€ 528,93

MonthlyProteGear Week 150Protegear Freedom 800Garmin Freedom RecreationGarmin Freedom Expedition
Yearly fee€ 79,00€ 29,00€ 24,99€ 24,99
Monthly fee€ 119,40€ 551,40€ 539,88€ 959,88
Stand-by€ 0,00€ 0,00€ 0,00€ 0,00
Total cost€ 198,40€ 580,40€ 564,87€ 984,87
Msgs used27602760240240
Msgs left-9606840240unlimited
Extra msgs€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,10 /cad.€ 0,65 /cad.unlimited
Extra cost€ 96,00€ 0,00€ 0,00unlimited
Total cost€ 294,40€ 580,40€ 564,87€ 984,87

Here we are: it’s a good option in case of a user that monthly or every two months does, let’s say, hiking with the need of being tracked for a couple of days a week.

GEOS insurance

Key: probably the most important thing to value after the decision to contract a satellitar service with a “search & rescue” option (that is, 2 way communications or just personal beacons), is an insurance that cover all the costs of it… like the ones that directly GEOS offers and that is possible to contract and set-up even through ProteGear.

You got stuck in the middle of the ocean, lost in the jungle or injured seriously while climbing to a peak…just press the SOS button: the automatic mechanism that start to save your …..life….., is made of several persons, helicopters, planes, special teams etc… and the entire system has big costs.

With just about $17.95 or $29.95 you can get a SAR50 or SAR100 individual membership to GEOS insurance thatcovers members for up to $100,000 in unpaid search and rescue related expenses per year, for as many incident that occur up to the maximum coverage of $100,000 (an average SAR operation can easily costs € 50-70.000 …).

Final conclusions

Both the companies offer top level services: Garmin has a respectful historial and seriety, ProteGear has hunger for growth and development while offering competitive services and prices.

Personally, I had a great feeling while chatting with ProteGear via chat and mail that I decided to opt for a Freedom 800 for my next trip to Uganda.. (wanna plan a trip to Uganda? Look how to do and what to see here and what to take with you here!)

And you? Made up your mind yet?

If this article helped you in some way, well…let me know, comment… and if not, still let me know, comment…

Good Safari!

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Why, How and When to make a safety Trip Plan! https://www.wildfast.net/2018/05/27/why-how-when-to-make-a-safety-trip-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-how-when-to-make-a-safety-trip-plan https://www.wildfast.net/2018/05/27/why-how-when-to-make-a-safety-trip-plan/#respond Sun, 27 May 2018 15:18:48 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=563 You certainly know about Aron Ralston, stuck for six days in a Utah canyon before he freed himself by amputating his arm with a “multi-tool” knife to avoid death by dehydration and hypothermia..  Don’t wanna be part of the long list of people that experienced such situations? Read this article…

Aron Ralston, Juliane Koepcke, Jose Salvador Alvarenga, Michael Benson, Harrison Okene, etc etc..they all have something in common: they got into big problems getting “close calls” just for being more “venturous” than “adventurous”. What do I mean? That if you travel, especially if you “wild travel” or you like adventures and off-the-grid experiences, of course you are more likely to take risks, especially if you travel solo.

 

– WHY?

What’s the difference between venture and adventure?

“Venture: undertake a risky or daring journey or course of action.”

“Adventure: an unusual and exciting or daring experience.”

Here we are: “undertake”, “underestimate”. Two words that doesn’t have to apply to travelling and experiencing. It’s 2018: we have a lot of technology, we have mails, we have social medias..and tons of cheap ways to save our ass even in the worsts conditions. So why not using it?

In my years in the airborne, I faced into some risky situation but I got always teached to have a plan A and a plan B (and eventually even a plan C)..besides of always knowing where I am and have someone else knowing it too, that is via a 1 or 2 ways communication or, rudimentally, via hand-made ground signs. Especially if you are travelling solo.

 

1-2. Even just a couple of branches can indicate your path helping a lot in case of emergency..     3. A Garmin Fenix 5X with maps – 4. An Apple iPhone with is built-in gps – 5. A satellitar Garmin InReach+ Explorer

 

This should make you understand how much is important to plan a trip and to eliminate the most variables as possible. Aron Ralston would still have his arm if he just have told to someone where he was headed to…

 

“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong” and “If one thing goes wrong, everything else will, and at the same time”

No matter how incredibly experienced you are and how precisely you have prepared for your trip: an accident or emergency can happen to anybody, at any time. A fluke accident, a flare up of a pre-existing medical condition or even the odd event like an acute altitude sickness or whatever else can change your trip from fun to damage-control-mode in an instant. Are you skilled enough to solve every situation? Are you able to manage high-stress and maybe pain for long?

But mainly: can you afford the fact that you will blame yourself every second of the bad-experience for having missed and underevalued something so easy and effective? The life you save might be your own!

 

– HOW?

What do you get in this article?

The main purpose is to make a fast, easy and effective trip plan you can modify or upgrade to your next trips.

I’ll help you in creating a template of it step by step and I’ll explain you how to use it and its limitations, besides who you should leave your trip plan with.

 

An example of my trip plan

 

What you don’t?

A reference on medical treatment for an emergency. If you are interested into it, you can find a really good emergency reference guide here; even if the best way is to get a chance to take part to a presential course.

 

Let’s make your Trip Plan!

We will make a plan for a “moderate” risk trip. Later on, you can modify it removing or adding informations depending on the risk level of your trip.

Important: whatever country are you from, I strongly suggest you to make the plan in english. Or at least, have a copy translated. Wherever you go in the world, english is the most spoken language and there is always someone able to read it and speak it. You will accelerate a lot and eventual rescue.

 

1. Personal infos

You want to inform whoever will get this plan, even if a well known person, about your personal infos such as:

. Name and Surname, Age, Gender, Nationality and where you live.

. Passport number.

. Age, height and weight (rescuing a 120kgs man is different than a 65kgs..); eyes and hairs.

. Medical history ( if you have something relevant which rescuers and paramedics should know)

. Known allergies

. Blood type

. Languages spoken

. Additional infos such as your experience in traveling, hiking or something related, eventuals qualifications..

 

2. General itinerary

. Total planned days of travel

. Your initerary day to day as far as you know, i.e.:

D1 – June, 04th 2018

Arrive by air in Johannesburg at about 01:50pm (company: African Air) – Visa application ID: 555666777

Overnight: Holiday Inn Pretoria

D2 – June, 05th 2018

Heading west to Mafikeng then south-east to Motlosana by 4×4 (about 6 hours)

Overnight: camping in Motlosana

. Which days are you travelling solo and which ones with a mate, a guide, a group…

. Infos and contact numbers about the tour operator, the guide, your mate…

. An easy photoshopped google map with the main known path you will walk.

 

3. Basic emergency

. Tracking: if you have a device such as a Garmin InReach+ Explorer or even just an iPhone or whatever device able to live tracking your movements, you can add a link to its page and, eventually, explaining how to do it and whatever user/password  can be needed.

. Alert: a kind of “plan B” if you run out of battery on your localisation devices and don’t want to alarm your EC (emergency contacts). You can describe a protocol your EC have to follow in this case.

 

4. Emergency contacts

. Locals emergency numbers of the country you go already “on the go” such as:

– your country embassy in the visited country

– police/sar headquarters

. Personal Emergency Contacts (leave the trip plan with trusted persons):

– how to select an emergency contact to give your trip plan to? Some important factors to consider are:

* level headed and reliable: usually a close family member or one of your trusted friend who can monitor your trip and, in an emergency, is able to do the right thing managing the stress without drama

* familiarity with the area: it is not always possible, but is definitely a clear added value.

* responsiveness: nowadays, especially for higher risk trips, we might be communicating directly or indirectly with our emergency contacts. This could be indirectly via location-check-ins or tracks from devices like a Spot or inReach (read my article about), or directly like text messages from an inReach/iPhone or a call form a satellite phone. You want your ECs to closely monitor these communications and quickly respond to things like an emergency or if your location hasn’t moved in 24 hours and you haven’t notified them as to why.

* english: you want your ECs to be able to listen, understand and communicate clearly in english. Mandatory.

 

5. Maps, paper and electronic versions

. That is, explaing which locations devices/ways you have with you such as: satellite devices, gps, smartphone and even paper maps and compass.

 

6. Communication and tracking

. Detailed explaination of how your EC/rescuers can contact you and when.

. Detailed explaination of how your EC/rescuers can track you.

 

7. Notable gear

. This point really depend of the kind of the trip you are up to; it can be:

– What you normally wear (type/colors etc..)

– What you normally have with you (cameras, lenses, laptops, backpack, lights, knifes, firs aid kit…)

– What can identify you easily (a green tent, an orange sleeping bag..)

 

8. Meaning of Sat/Phone Messages – What to do

. I normally use 3 preset messages (don’t use more) to avoid misunderstandings or creat confusion; it can be:

– Msg. 1 – “All ok” – What to do: “enjoy”

– Msg. 2 – “Problems but no rescue required right now” – What to do: relax, take your communication devices close, expect updates asap

– Msg. 3 – “Need help in max 24-48 hours” – What to do: relax, call the embassy and the police, send them this trip plan. It’s not a SOS so I’ll try to self-rescue.

– SOS – (if you have a satellite SOS device such as InReach, Spot, other Beacon devices..) – What to do: it will go automatically with the 24/7 global search-and-rescue monitoring center so just relax and get ready to get some calls.

. Depending on where I’m going to, sometimes I use a “keyword”..I mean: a word that if my EC read in whatever message I sent them, it means I’m into problems but I can’t talk about it right now (i.e. terrorism, kidnapping, robbery etc..)

 

9. Remote management of SOS/tracking account, mail account

. You can communicate your logins (user/password) in case your ECs need to manage your account or having access to online folders etc..

 

10. Insurances

. Write down all the insurances you have that can cover whatever kind of problem you may have during your trip such as a trip cancellation, baggage stolen, personal liability and accidents, emergency medical transport -evacuation – repatriation, hijacking, medical expenses etc… besides eventual insurance planing for you SOS device (if you have one).

Write down the name, the contract number, the type of the insurance (what covers the most) and a direct contact number.

A few international companies offer good all-round coverages, from normal travellers to high-risk expeditioners. Depending of your trip and of the length, one can be better than the other.

Soon, an article with the comparison in between 3/4 mayors companies.

 

A drone self shot during one of my lasts solo climbs

– WHEN?

How to decide how “risky” your trip is and how much information you want to include in your trip plan?

. You are traveling solo

. Backpacking in a more remote area that you are not as familiar with

. A longer duration trip 4-7 days or more

. Likely 2 or more days to hike out for help if you have a problem

. Might have off trail travel, scrambling, skiing, technical climbing, whitewater river travel, winter conditions or other features that significantly increase risk vs. walking on good trails in fair weather

. May use an SOS/tracking device

 

“Standard risk” trip example

A standard travel far from home or where you are going to have some walk, some mountain bike rides etc..

 

“Moderate risk” trip example

Days-long hike in the sub-Saharan jungle with a mixture of some on-trail travel and some off-trail side trips, eventually in not-yet-stable coutries.

 

“High risk” trip example:

Crossing Sahara desert or a week-long technical canyoneering trip in a remote and mostly untraveled desert canyon system.

 

Now, remember what I wrote at the beginning:

“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong” and “If one thing goes wrong, everything else will, and at the same time”

Limitations:

Sometimes an on-time rescue is not possible;  a trip plan and a communication/satellite/sos device is not the solution to everything. I have been in some situations where rescue was not possible even if I had sent out an SOS. As they say, the best rescue is self-rescue.

Your main job, is not needing rescue in the first place. So be smart and safe: a trip plan or a satellite/SOS device has never to be considered a license to do stupid things or take unnecessary risks! Life is one!

 

Here…the link to the Trip Plan Wild Fast sample.. Enjoy and tell me what do you think about!

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Problems MacOS High Sierra & photography solved https://www.wildfast.net/2018/05/27/problems-macos-high-sierra-photography-solved/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=problems-macos-high-sierra-photography-solved https://www.wildfast.net/2018/05/27/problems-macos-high-sierra-photography-solved/#respond Sun, 27 May 2018 10:28:38 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=559 Did you updated your macOS to the last High Sierra 10.13.4 ?   

Are you an amateur or professional photographer?   

Are you having problems with Adobe Lightroom and/or Canon EoS Utility?   

Here you get the solution!

 

Yes, I waited 8 months before upgrading to MacOS High Sierra just because I know that every new version that comes out takes lot of problems of backward-compatibility with some pre-installed softwares; and normally, the ones we use more often…

“If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which something can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.”

Unfortunately, 8 months has not been enough to avoid problems in the same moment I connected my Canon to the Macbook:

       1. Canon EoS Utility 2 doesn’t open anymore

Sad but true: the app is not working anymore, neither using the well-known combo “shift+opt+click”.

SOLUTION: go to the european Canon website at this link, select your camera and then select your operating system (actually they just updated to the last version for High Sierra…you lucky man..). Download the 10.13.x High Sierra version for your camera, install it and..here you get it (to be sure, restart the mac).

 

       2. Adobe Lightroom doesn’t open anymore

Yet again: the app is not working anymore, neither using the well-known combo “shift+opt+click”.

SOLUTION: I was still with the 6.8 version that permitted me to use my backup camera, a Sony RX100V, with Lightroom as I explained in one of my previous articles; cold shower: Adobe Lightroom versions < 6.13 are not anymore supported by Sierra! What the hell… So, here the solution: go to this page of the Adobe website where you’re able to find every 6.x version for Mac/Win. Here, you need to download and install the latest version 6.14 for MAC (do a backup first) and there you are: lightroom perfectly working again..!

 

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Packing up for your wild trip to Uganda https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/28/packing-up-for-your-wild-trip-to-uganda-backpack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=packing-up-for-your-wild-trip-to-uganda-backpack https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/28/packing-up-for-your-wild-trip-to-uganda-backpack/#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2018 14:02:19 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=471 Hi there!

Like I wrote in my last article about Building up your best wild trip to Uganda, main part of the job and efforts goes into an accurate selection of all the things you will carry with you in your backpack to avoid being overloaded or forgetting something important..

I always try to be schematic and systematic following a natural order… the time spent in the army has still its role.

  • the backpack itself
  • an eventual additional bag
  • clothes: underwear, t-shirts, pants, shoes…
  • technical clothes and accessories: waterproof, shoes, jackets…
  • technology accessories: chargers, battery pack, cables..
  • photography
  • survival and safety

 

1st: the backpack

There are plenty of different backpacks on the market: bigger, smaller, soft, rigid, hi-tech, with load lifters.. and many opinions and points of view about the right volume for differents range of trip duration, body shape, kind of travel.. Thing is, aside common guide lines to follow about not buying a 15lt backpack for a 2 weeks trip, the decision is extremely personal and varies depending on the trip.

A funny overloaded backpacker..

What my requisites are? a backpack that is not too big, waterproof, with a semi-rigid back, molle system, top and front loading..

How my travel will be? no self-camping, so no tent..sleeping bag.. No big cold, so no heavy clothes.. No need to take it as a hand-luggage in the plane.. I will have an additional bag used as hand luggage…

With all these informations, I decided to go for a 50+5lt backpack that I found on amazon at good price and with amazing reviews: a Mardingtop 50.

  • Water-resistant 600D polyester
  • Molle webbing to hang on small items
  • Large front zipped access that can quickly access to the main compartment as a luggage
  • 1.77kg and 29 x 23 x 72cm
  • A zipped pocket on the bottom for the rain cover (included) and to be used as a “hided” pocket
  • Hydration system compatible
  • You can shrink it with the lateral straps

Mardington 50+5lt

2nd: additional backpack

Not using the main one as hand-luggage on the plane, I need an additional small backpack where to mainly put fragile stuffs such as my laptop, camera and lenses..

I will use a 20-25 liters tactical backpack that will even be the main one once there to hike and move around..and an additional one foldable to pocket size as “emergency”.

Last but not least, I always wear a waist pack that let me have rapid access to whatever I need quickly.

3rd: clothes

Travelling to hot countries has a couple advantage more than other places: you don’t need heavy clothes and it’s easy to wash them and dry them up rapidly (but mind..uganda can be relatively cold in the morning and night.. normal temperatures varies in between 10/12 to 25/30 C. degrees, standard temperature is about 26/26 C.)

Normally for a trip of up to 10-12 days I use the 50% rule: I mentally convert 10 real days to 5.

Deciding which clothes to take is always stressing..

So:

  • 5 underpants, 5 pair of socks and 2 sleeping t-shirts
  • 5 t-shirts (a couple with long sleeve due the fact Uganda is located at higher elevation and I’ll be starting the day at the sunrise)
  • 1 technical light stretch pile
  • 3 pairs of pants: 1 long, 1 zip-off and 1 shorty
  • 1 swimming pants
  • 1 microfiber towel
  • 1 pair of light sport shoes
  • 1 pair of light flip flap

The fun now begins in finding the best way to pack everything as small as possible.. A good way to do it is to use “the ranger roll” like in this video:

4th: technical clothes and accessories

In this category I place those “masterpieces” you need to save your ass from feeling hot/cold, to get big blisters, to get wet.. Let’s have a look to what I’ll take:

  • 1 pair of waterproof Merrel Moab 2 mid Goretex. I spent a couple of weeks deciding which trekking shoes to buy to substitute my old ones. I even have the amazing Salomon Quest 4d gtx but for me are more dedicated to rocky hikes with heavier backpacks and are too much rigids. Mandatory: mid to high collar and waterproof. Rain forest is always wet and you gonna walk for hours in this not easy environment: the last thing you want is to have your shoes wet or insects and thorns in it.
  • 1 pair of mid to high light waterproof gaiters to walk in the deep forest or in the swamp
  • 2 pair of waterproof socks like the SealSkinz Walking thin ankle: you can totally soak them in the water without worry about your feet
  • 1 light technical windproof/softshell jacket
  • 1 waterproof poncho/jacket
  • 3/4 light shopping bag where to put wet clothes or smelling clothes without “infecting” the rest
  • 2 hat: a waterproof boonie hat and a normal cap
  • 1 sunscreen protection
  • 1 pair of sunglasses: getting a good one (not black) gives you the possibility to wear it in any condition
  • 2 pair of earplugs: if you are sensible in sleeping, sleeping in a tent in the wild can be stressy (I love it..)

The Merrell Moab 2 mid gtx

TIP -> before leaving, I usually use a water repellent spray over the hat/cap, shoes and whatever I wanna be sure to stay dry included backpack and pants. A good one leaves no traces and works pretty good.

TIP -> if you are planning to buy a new pair of shoes for a trip, USE IT first for some hike in your place if you don’t wanna forcely suspend your trip..

5th: technology accessories

2018, no way to travel without some helpful technology accessories such as:

  • a whatever-to-UK plug adapter (I know you can use a tea spoon easily, but you can’t do it everywhere..)
  • a double universal usb-plug (most of the accessories nowadays use this kind of cables)
  • an extra usb-miniusb cable
  • a 20.000mAh battery pack to not run out of battery in your mobile/gps device.. You can have it at super good price
  • charging/synchro cables of whatever device you will take with you
  • a small monocular for spotting
  • a laptop: of course it’s not mandatory, especially if you have a smartphone but I’m planning to shoot many photos and I like to download everything every night and removing bad ones or rating good ones.
  • an external drive where to save your important pics..as a backup

Sometimes, unfortunately, it seems “never enough”..

6th: photography

If you are reading this chapter probably you are not a professional photographer (I’m not too..) so, depending by the  gear you have, things can change quite a lot. Photography conditions in Uganda are:

  • it’s wet and in the forest it probably rain: better have a tropicalized camera/lens and/or a rain cover
  • animals are not close (not everytime): better have a tele lens (or a wide and a tele) that can fill up a range of about 24 to 300mm
  • forest is dark: better have fast lenses (f4 max) and a camera that support high iso
  • care where you are: if you can, take with you a standard dslr camera and a compact one (and maybe a gopro). Sometimes you find yourself in new places you don’t wanna show you cool new reflex with a big white lens.. A compact one (maybe a high quality) permits you to not loose the moment and to look like a discrete tourist (Low Profile basic rule..)
  • you will shoot a tons of photos: don’t run out of batteries and memories….

Well, sometimes it can be quite funny

So, what do I take with me:

  • my lovely 7 years old Canon 7d mark I
  • a Canon 70-200 f4 is
  • a Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6
  • a Sigma 15mm fisheye
  • a Sony RX100V, great high quality compact camera I tested out in my previous trip to Kenya writing an article on it
  • a GoPro 4

TIP -> never ever use the flash against a wild animal! So check it out before shooting and be sure of it.

 

7th: survival and safety

Yes, I know you are not going to Somalia but Uganda is still not like going to Paris. You will be hiking for hours in the forest and even if you are not alone, you never know what can happen (car can get broken, you or someone else can be bitten by an animal, you or someone else can fall and get a fracture..).

Plus, gorillas tracking is done in the forest at the border of D.R. of Congo where sometimes happened that Congo poachers or the militia M23 walk through to kill some gorillas and whoever around.

Be more prepared than the challenges you face

What do I take with me:

  • a trip plan with all the informations you need and the ones that your girlfriend/brother/parent and a friend have in case of emergency. In the next article, I’ll write how to make a trip plan and I’ll give you one..
  • some basic skills and knowledge about outdoor, orientation, rescue, first aid..
  • an iPhone with a local sim card and 2 useful app installed: Gaia GPS and Garmin Earthmate with East Africa maps including Uganda (offline versions)
  • a Garmin InReach Explorer + satellite gps: with a monthly subscription of about 20€ to 70€ (depending by the services you want) you have a full gps device and, mainly, a 2 way communication satellite messenger that works everywhere in the world without having to use a gsm line. This incredible device, gives you even the possibility to launch a SOS through a button to be rescued wherever you are and in every condition through the GEOS search-and-rescue center. A must if you wanna backpack wherever in the world and you want to be safer and, especially, let your family and friends peaceful at home. In a next article, a great comparison of the subscription plans.
  • a paper map of Uganda and/or a local one (1:50.000 if you find it, 1:500.000 much easier)
  • a mirror compass: I like the evergreen professional military Suunto MC-2 (G, NH); in case, it’s mandatory to have adjustable declination, mirror, clinometer, resolution 1/2 degrees max
  • a 28w foldable solar charger to don’t run out of battery with any device
  • a personal water filter reusable/cleanable that eliminate 99.9% of waterborne bacteria, waterborne protozoan parasites throughout a filter rated up to 1000 liters of contaminated water without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals
  • an emergency blanket with two sides: a silver one (outside) to protect you from the hot, a gold one (outside) to protect you from the cold
  • a small first AID kit, mandatory when you hike wherever you are
  • a survival saw wire you can use for multiple things and it’s so small that you can put it everywhere
  • a usb rechargable tactical led flashlight, portable IP68 waterproof with 1240 lumens
  • a fire starter kit
  • a bush knife or a tactical one
  • a good anti-mosquitos spray for tropical countries with at least 30-50% DEET (don’t go over, is higly toxic)
  • basic drugs for any health inconvenient (diarrea, fever, antistaminic, cuts..)

The Garmin InReach Explorer +

 

Now…get ready and enjoy in filling up everything in your backpack (it takes time if you’re not experienced….)..

Here a pic and a time-lapse of a first pre-trip volume checking (I still have some space to use..):

 

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Build up your best wild trip to Uganda https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/27/build-up-your-best-wild-trip-to-uganda/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=build-up-your-best-wild-trip-to-uganda https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/27/build-up-your-best-wild-trip-to-uganda/#respond Fri, 27 Apr 2018 08:36:05 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=433 Hi there!

Here an article about how I am organising my next trip to Uganda: the best “waypoints”, the choice of the guide, the necessary gear and accessories, the safety measures and precautions and the important creation and develop of a trip plan.

Once again, mother Africa is calling me back with its gravel voice and its smell of ad-venturous experiences I can’t stop thinking about. This time, it led me to the place where you can have unforgettable interactions with the wild, where mountains soar, the place of amazing terraced hilltops; it’s home to Africa’s tallest mountain range (the Rwenzoris), the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake. One of the last places in the world (with Rwanda and D.R. Congo) where it’s still possible to track mountain gorillas in their misty habitat.

With a tapestry of landscapes, excellent wildlife watching and welcoming locals, Uganda packs a lot into one small country.

Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962. The period since then has been marked by intermittent conflicts, including a lengthy civil war against the Lord’s Resistance Army in the Northern Region, which has caused hundreds of thousands of casualties.

Nowadays, the country with its people is raising its head trying to climb the economy growth ladder and actually positioning 24th over 54 african countries.

What to do and where to go: can’t-miss waypoints

To begin, I just want to be clear in saying that, for security reasons, I’m not gonna publish the dates I’ll be travelling to Uganda and the order of the waypoints is not the same I’ll follow.

TIP -> …when you go for a trip, especially in “wild” or “difficult” countries, don’t advertise it too much, especially the dates. Internet is wilder than the wild: for sure, is worst. You don’t wanna communicate when your home will be empty for days, when you arrive and where you stay with your brand new photography set and, normally for a tourist (not for a traveller), a bunch of money you saved maybe all year long.. Low-profile is the key.

The main route I developed throughout the south of Uganda

1st Waypoint: Entebbe

Entebbe, Uganda’s largest commercial and military airport, is probably the first ground you’ll step on in a trip to this country. With about 70.000 inhabitants and located on a Lake Victoria peninsula at an altitude of approx 1.200mt asl, is a major town in central Uganda and just approx. 37 kilometres southwest of the capital Kampala.

I like to travel light and move fast so I’ll spend the first night here in a “budget b&b” where I’ve been able to get a single room (with a bathroom in it) for about 30€ per night. Best way to find a place to stay is still by doing a cross research on booking.com (if you go through this link you get a 15€ discount on your next reservation) and tripadvisor taking a look at the normally useful reviews.

A nice and cheap hotel it’s the ViaVia Entebbe, it worth the value!

A glimpse over Entebbe

My flight will arrive at about 01:00pm so, after having fixed my accomodation, I’ll spend the afternoon visiting a bit the city and..

TIP-> …buying a local sim card with some data bundle package on it. It is important, if you plan a wild trip, to be wild in experiencing and living the place but always focused and systematic in avoiding any possible unplanned situation with nothing left to chance. Having a local sim card can get you out fast of many problems and lets your closest peaceful by having news..all for about 10/20€.

2nd Waypoint: Kampala

Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. Located at about 1.200mt asl, it has approx. 2.500.000 inhabitants.

Sure, traffic in the center is a problem, and the city may not score as highly as other cities on infrastructure, but it’s cheap, friendly, relatively safe, diverse—and it has some serious party chops. It worths a view.

Kampala from old mosque

I’ll spend one day around Kampala to take a look at the city and to some of the major “key-points”:  the Baha’i temple, Brave Owino market, the Old Taxi park and probably a taxi-Matatu ride to Jinja which may take two to three hours journey up to Jinja, the source of River Nile.

3rd Waypoint: Kibale Forest via Fort Portal

After about 6 hours driving, I’ll take a stop to Fort Portal first. The drive from Entebbe to Kibale is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.

Fort Portal, heartland of a verdant tea-growing area, has about 54.000 inhabitants and is located at an elevation of about 1.500mt asl: the fort may be gone, but this dynamic and friendly town is definitely still a great portal to numerous places offering sublime scenery, amazing nature and genuine adventure. Here you can explore the beautiful Crater Lakes, track the chimps in Kibale Forest National Park or drop into Semuliki National Park with its hot springs and central African wildlife.

The lush green tea plantations with all its magic

After a stop in Fort Portal, straight to the daily destination: Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale Forest is a natural park protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometres in size and is located between 1.100 metres to 1.600 metres in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes and is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest.

A magnific sunrise shot throughout Kibale Forest

The park boasts 325 sited species of birds, as well as red and blue duikers, bushbucks, sitatungas, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, common warthogs, and African buffalo. The carnivores that are present include leopards, African golden cats, servals, different mongooses, two species of otter and lions which visit the park on occasion.

Besides this, Kibale forest is mainly popular due to the presence of 13 species of primates, between which the Chimpanzee; many of them persist in the less disturbed areas of the forest in their natural habitats. Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world. Approximately 5.000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!

In the early morning I’ll move with a ranger for chimpanzee tracking, hoping to catch up with other monkey species as well. A swamp walk of about 4-5 hours will take me through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to give big welcomes. Here is where I’ll spend the entire day, mainly hiking throughout the forest to enjoy this precious wild nature.

When the sun goes down, better have a place to stay because “the wild wakes up“. Here around there are a few places but if you wanna fully live this experience, you can’t miss a lazy camping in the forest. From the first time I slept in the wild, actually in the Tsavo East Park, I consider those nights as the best television, radio, hi-fi -ever-! A taste of it can be managed through the Kibale Forest Camp.

A classic “safari tent” for a real deal lazy camping experience

4th Waypoint: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited national park and the second largest one, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range and adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George.

It occupies an estimated 2.000 square kilometres area and is well known for its wildlife, including African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males sport black manes. Poachers killed six elephants in the park in 2015, triggering both anger and frustration within the Ugandan conservation community.

The park is also famous for its volcanic features, including volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes, such as the Katwe craters, from which salt is extracted.

Speechless view of the crater

I’ll spend a couple of days hiking around the park tracking and spotting the wildlife and taking a boat to ride along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Albert. Here, I’ll be more close to see a lot of hippos as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe such as buffalo, crocodile, bathing elephant.. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of my trip.

When the sun goes down, yet again is time to find cover.. Same as Kibale, if you wanna go wild you can manage to have a lazy camping, i.e., through the Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge. Remember:

TIP ->…even if, I know, it’s not easy to realize to be in the real wild..there you are. So when the night comes, is highly suggested to not go out of your tent if not for a concrete and important reason and, even in this case, I suggest to call someone who can help you out.

As great as dangerous, remember you are the guest in the wild..

5th Waypoint: Mweya Peninsular 

The Mweya Peninsula is located on the northern bank of the impressive Kazinga Channel at the convergence of the channel with Lake Edward; here you can enjoy splendid views over the water with sights stretching all through to the Rwenzori Mountains. The Mweya is among the finest places to spot lions and leopard, which normally live within the scrubby thickets. And that’s why is gonna be my 5th can’t-miss waypoint!

Collars are essential for monitoring each populations of lions

I will actively participate in monitoring some of the lions in the park, early in the morning and at night, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem through the help of The Carnivore Program.

Some of the park's conservation challenges and what Uganda Carnivore Program is doing to address them

6th Waypoint: Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi, also called “the lake of the little birds“, is close to the border with Rwanda and located at an elevation of almost 2.000mt. Its contorted shore encircles 29 islands, surrounded by steep terraced hillsides. A magical place, especially with a morning mist rising off the placid waters, it has supplanted the Ssese Islands as the place for travellers to chill out on their way through Uganda, and has a selection of gorgeously remote and bucolic places to stay on distant islands, where you’ve only the birds for company. Best of all – unlike many lakes in East Africa – Bunyoni is bilharzia, croc and hippo free, and so its crystal-clear waters are all yours to swim in and canoeing!

A stunning view of the lake by Helen Suk. Click on the image to visit her blog

Night time, same rules.. Here, the best way to get a comfortable “budget” accomodation is to go through the Crater Bay Cottages, a wonderful place to relax, explore and enjoy the spectacular landscape and beauty that is portrayed before you as Lake Bunyonyi.

The Crater Bay Lodges

7th Waypoint: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Tracking

Yes.. Mountain Gorilla tracking.. one of the best experience you can have in your whole life and God knows for how long..

Mountains Gorillas, Uganda’s gentle giants, are divided in two populations: one is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa (D.R. Congo) and the other is found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Conservation efforts have led to an increase in overall population of the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Virungas and at Bwindi. The overall population is now believed to be at least 880 individuals (as of Sept 2006). Three more – infants who suffered a traumatic poaching experience, injuries from snares, and/or losing their mothers in brutal killings – are currently in care of the Senkwekwe Centre orphanage in the D.R. of Congo.

Despite their recent population growth, the mountain gorilla remains threatened. As of 2008, mountain gorillas were listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and are dependent on conservation efforts to survive.

Gorillas brutally killed by the poachers

Mountain gorillas are not usually hunted for bushmeat, but they are frequently maimed or killed by traps and snares intended for other animals. They have been killed for their heads, hands, and feet, which are sold to collectors. Infants are sold to zoos, researchers, and people who want them as pets. The abduction of infants generally involves the loss of at least one adult, as members of a group will fight to the death to protect their young. With young gorillas worth from $1000 to $5000 on the black market, poachers seeking infant and juvenile specimens will kill and wound other members of the group in the process..or whoever in the middle, even people.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest is a large primeval forest located at elevations ranging from about 1.200 to 2.600 metres. “Bwindi” is derived from the Runyakitara language and means itself “impenetrable“. This name comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. Bamboo and thick ground cover of ferns, vines, and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot.

Also known as the “Place of Darkness”, the forest is on the edge of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, only a few kilometers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border and about 25 kilometres north of the Virunga Mountains

En route, with my guide we’ll point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before we eventually reach the gorilla family.

The time taken to track the gorillas can be as few as 2-3 hours to as many as 7-8 hours. Once the gorillas have been located, we will spend about a hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

A deeply tender gorilla baby with his mom..

Over night, worth a stay in one of the places situated around the Mutanda Lake. A good option to keep a healthy “wild” level is, i.e., the Mutanda Lake Resort. Like their home page says: “perched on a Lake Mutanda peninsula in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains, the resort offers comfortable accommodation combined with the most beautiful views on planet earth. It is a perfect base for gorilla trackers, lake loungers, volcano hikers, bird lovers as well as those looking for a mystical place in nature.” So why not to trust in it?!

A truly relaxing view from one of the accomodations..

Xth Waypoint: in process…

As usual, I managed to have a couple of free jolly days that I can use to extend some of the already planned waypoints in case any hyper-interesting activity comes out on-field or that I get some hints from the local people to enjoy even more a wild and local experience.

TIP -> When you organize a trip like this that you probably not gonna replicate soon, take 2 more “jolly” days at the end you can use to extend some mid-stop or to live some cool can’t-miss experience you did not find out on internet but some local told you about.. You definitely won’t to take off and spend the next hours sitted on a plane kicking yourself about it..

What do you need to go to Uganda?

Money aside… you need:

  • your passport valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda
  • an entry visa:  apply online for an ‘e-visa’. It’s fairly fast (about 2-4 days) and it costs about 50 us dollars
  • a yellow fever certificate: it has to be done at least one month before the departure and it’s mandatory

 

Packing up for a wild trip to Uganda?

Wanna know about what to bring to a trip like this that can fits a 50lt backpack? Clothes, shoes, safety accessories, technology and photography gear…

Stay tuned for the next article incoming…!

Follow the blog by clicking the mail icon here at the bottom and don’t forget to follow me even on instagram for a daily doses of travels and wild!

 

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The life of a “Keeper” at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/16/the-life-of-a-keeper-at-the-david-sheldrick-wildlife-trust-orphan-elephants/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-life-of-a-keeper-at-the-david-sheldrick-wildlife-trust-orphan-elephants https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/16/the-life-of-a-keeper-at-the-david-sheldrick-wildlife-trust-orphan-elephants/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:44:11 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=414 Today, I wanna tell you a short but loving story: of those ones with a sad and tragic start but with a happy ending. The story of those daily heroes that in between the shadows have big responsabilities in becoming foster fathers of orphaned babies elephants: the Keepers…

Orphans coming back home from their daily walk in the wild..

Nowadays it’s in broad daylight that poachers are daily killing a huge amount of elephants for the ivory trade business that mainly involve china. Given that the primary market, China, has a booming economy and growing middle class, more people are willing to spend more money for ivory products, which are seen as status symbols. Many estimate that ivory prices have risen tenfold over the past five years. As a result, poaching has now evolved into a highly sophisticated trade.

Tens of thousands of elephants are being killed across Africa each year for their tusks (30.000 to 50.000 elephants a year were killed from 2008 to 2013 only in Kenya).

A century ago, there were maybe around 5 million elephants across Africa. Now there are less than 500.000. Savannah elephants declined by 30% from 2007-2014 and forest elephants by 60% from 2002-2011. While unrestricted international commercial trade in ‘new’ ivory is banned (CITES 1989), many countries continue to allow some form of commercial trade in ivory, legal and note, within and across their borders. Increasingly, these domestic markets are being recognised as significant drivers of elephant poaching and ivory trafficking.

Poverty is the primary driver of poaching in Africa. But increasingly, poaching is being carried out by heavily armed criminals who operate like gangs. Crime networks in both Africa and China are behind much of this poaching activity.

Kelelari, approx 4 years old, orphaned and found in the plains of the Masai Mara where he has been rescued

Like I wrote in a previous articole (wild drafts..on ivory), at Nairobi National Park on 2016, tusks from more than 6.000 illegally killed elephants has been burned: the biggest ever destruction of an ivory stockpile, about 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn burned in 11 large pyres. The rests have been left in place to remember this hecatomb and many tourists are took there during their safaris to commemorate this monument.

After the recent death of Daphne Sheldrick, 83 years old, how to not mention who is doing a daily hard job in the wildlife conservation. Dame Daphne helped save the lives of more than 230 elephants – many of which had lost their mothers to poachers or drought – by developing a milk formula and successfully rearing them. Her Kenyan charity is world-renowned for its care of orphaned elephants. Dame Daphne “lived alongside elephants and learned to read their hearts”, read a statement on her charity’s website.

Part of the mountains built from all the ivory confiscated and burned on 2016

Rescued orphaned infant elephants arrive at the Sheldrick’s Nairobi Nursery severely traumatised by the events that have caused the separation from their mother and family killed by the poachers. Their rehabilitation success comes from a  special milk formula developed over years of trials and errors combined with the correct intensive and hands-on husbandry, which involves a human ‘family’ (the Keepers) who replace the lost elephant family and stay with the orphans in the Nairobi Nursery 24 hours a day, sleeping with the infants during the night on a rotational basis. 

Keepers work on rotation to avoid a calf becoming too attached to any one person and pining when that person has to take time off. To a baby elephant, who is emotionally very fragile, it is the family aspect that is all important. Elephants are tactile and highly social animals, so the human “family” is always encouraged to be in physical contact with the babies as much as possible, talking to them and demonstrating genuine heartfelt affection, as would their elephant family.

A baby elephant in the nursery..

Orphans must be watched at all times and their Keepers must protect them with blankets when cold, rainwear when wet and sunscreen and an umbrella when exposed to sun during the first 2 months of life. Infant elephants are also difficult feeders and the Keepers need endless patience to encourage the calf to take sufficient milk to sustain their life and help them to thrive.

An elephant’s family crossing my road in the Tsavo East

Like human children, baby elephants need toys and stimulation. Highly intelligent, with a giant memory, they duplicate human children in many ways, so during infancy distractions of all sorts must be built into the daily routine. The Keepers take the orphans on walks in varied surroundings with unlimited access to nature’s toys such as sticks and stones, plus artificial playthings such as rubber tubes and balls. Cause for celebration is when a baby elephant plays for the first time, because only then can one be sure of a reasonable chance of success as an elephant will only thrive if they are happy.

The third and fourth milk dependent years are weaning years, when both the quantity and frequency of milk feeds is gradually reduced as the calf ingests larger quantities of vegetation. Elephants need a varied diet comprised of several different plants as well as the bark of trees which contain the minerals and trace elements needed to build and strengthen such huge bones. This plant selection is instinctive within the genetic memory given at birth and not something that has to be taught by a human.

Another elephant’s big family taking advantage of a tree’s shadow in a hot day

When, after some year, they become fully independents, they are finally released back into the wild so they can join a herd and create hopefully their own family.

“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love. If you can’t excite people about wildlife, how can you convince them to love, cherish, and protect our wildlife and the environment they live in?” – Steve Irwin

As you see, Keepers have a main role in the rehabilitation of the elephants and their daily mission is contributing substancially in saving a big part of the wildlife and…of ourself.

If you want to contribute, you can be part of the fostering program at distance with a minimum amount of 50 US $ per year.. you will not regret it! Here the link where you can contribute: Sheldrick Fostering Program

 

 

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Kenya 2018 – 2nd stop: South Coast https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/14/kenya-2018-2nd-stop-south-coast-malindi-watamu/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kenya-2018-2nd-stop-south-coast-malindi-watamu https://www.wildfast.net/2018/04/14/kenya-2018-2nd-stop-south-coast-malindi-watamu/#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2018 17:14:04 +0000 http://www.wildfast.net/?p=357 Hello there!

In my other post about the first stop in Nairobi (you can find it here), I anticipated the second part of my trip to Kenya: the south coast…ocean! Six days moving around the coast, and relaxing a bit, to enjoy this beautiful side of Kenya. Here following, you can find some hints about where to go and what to not miss if you come to the coast..

  • March 11th -> landed at Malindi airpot in the evening, time to get to my accommodation with one of the many tuk tuk (a three-wheeled motorised taxi) waiting for tourists outside. Bargain is not an option, is a must..

Tuk Tuk is probably the most used taxi in the rural area of Kenya. Normally, with about 1 or 2$ you can go wherever you want in the city

This time I’ll stay to a friend place in a magnific resort on the beach just 5′ from the city center: the Ocean Beach Resort, which definitely worth the stay. Very kindly people, very quality place and stay. I strongly suggest it. You can see the rates and book straight from this link.

A stunning night shot of the Ocean Beach Resort

I love Malindi, it’s the 5th time I’m here..I love its natural daily contrast in between a peaceful way of living and the chaos of people moving around during the morning, the small local shops along the road, the mamas selling cooked beans and fruit, the amazing local restaurants where you can have a super good lunch for 1$.. The infinite seashore and the freedom you can breath while having a walk or..a horse ride…

Thomas, a good Kenyan friend, is taking care of those horses and sometimes he goes for a ride with some tourists along the seashore. The incoming, goes to the Kibokoni village school…

Yet another thing I love, is the incredible sensation of going around the city with its chaos and..suddenly..taking “the first road on the right” where everything change: two hundred meters, buildings and villas disappear and a new “world” takes over; huts, dirt roads, semplicity..it’s probably the world I like the most, in with I like to get lost.

Women work hard every day, often more than men.. That is breaking stones, carrying packs of wood overhead or even helping in building houses..

 

It’s common to meet cows, goats and other animals walking around the villages and..getting the right to pass..

A bunch of minutes and you face to yet another world: everything gets green, welcome to the bush, to the wild. Oh man, I love it.

After the village of Muyeye, you can easily get into the wild..where everything change fast and, where having a gps is a good option if you like to spend time in here

Keep going a few minutes and, in between the bush, you get stuck with the gate of paradise..

The short beach of Watamu.. a small beach opened to the ocean with no reef in front..

Malindi is actually the largest urban center in Kilifi County with about 207.000 inhabitants. Once known as Melinde, is rivalled only by Mombasa for dominance in this part of East Africa and has traditionally been a port city. The Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama met its authorities in 1498 to sign a trade agreement and hire a guide for the voyage to India, when he erected a coral pillar. Vasco da Gama was given a warm reception from the Shiek of Malindi, which contrasted with the hostile reception he encountered in Mombasa. The pillar stands to this day. Tourism is the major industry and the city is popular among Italian tourists.

You know when you have that “feeling” of being close to get a nice shower…

  • March 12th -> relaxing day. Got my super Bajaj (motorcycle..) from a friend so I’m independent in moving around to any distance..

Called Bajaj (name of the company that build it), the Boxer is the most used model here in Kenya due to its affidability and endurance over every kind of terrain and solicitations..

Then, I just spent the day chilling out at the beach, at the swimming pool, meeting some friends and organizing the next days..

Sometimes, you just need to refresh and reset ideas…

  • March 13th -> let’s go wild again! Sunrise, wake up call.. destination: Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. This amazing forest is located in between Malindi and Watamu and is a 420 km2 coastal forest in  managed by Kenya Forest Service (KFS). It is the largest and most intact coastal forest in East Africa, with 20% of Kenya’s bird species, 30% butterfly species and at least 24 rare and endemic bird, mammal and butterfly species.

The African Fish Eagle. Males usually have wingspans around 2 m, while females 2.4 m. Its distinctive cry is, for many, evocative of the spirit or essence of Africa.

It is made up of three different forest types; Cynometra-dominated forests and thickets: these cover more than half of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve. Sightings of Caracal, Civet, Genet, Suni and other mammals are more common on tracks in this forest type. Sokoke Scops Owls are also found here. Brachystegia-dominated woodlands: also known as Miombo woodlands, this forest type is airy and beautiful to walk through. Birds and butterflies are more visible here due to the open canopy. Mixed Forests: dominated by species like Hymenaea verrucosa and Manilkara sansibarensis. The dense vegetation in this forest type creates a tropical atmosphere as one walks or drives through, the real feel of being “in the woods”. Animals commonly sighted here include the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, East Coast Akalat and Tiny Greenbuls.

The amazing biodiversity of the forest… Long life to it!

I walked in the forest for a couple of hours with my guide, a KFS ranger (a living wikipedia..) and spotted several birds and other animals trying always to follow him and his suggestion to keep ourself safe here in the wild. Later, we pick up the car and drove 1 hour in a single track in between the forest where the terrain passed from light brown to red getting the Tsavo colours; we drove untill the observation point he was anxious to show me..and then I knew why. Expecting to find kind of concrete park or small square in which to stop and observe..he just suddenly told me: STOP! In between two trees, a tiny hided track. We walked in there and…. here we are: the paradise! The trip totally worth the value!

The infinte road that pass throughout the forest

  • March 14th -> I spent the day working and studying online a little bit and then I went for a round in the city to catch up with some friends. First stop: the Rasta, a known guy in Malindi. He’s a handicraftsman, mainly a cobbler but he makes everything on demand or according to his style. As a good observer he constantly looks pages of magazines found around or peoples accessories, mainly tourist’s ones, to keep himself updated about fashions and trends that can influence his creations. He has a small workshop in the old market that shares with his cat friend. No machines, no tecnology: just some glue, needle and thread, a hammer and his hands.. He’s always smiling and I like to spend some time with him discussing about everything and nothing.

If you come here, go to the market and ask for him, it worth the time!

Night time, an amazing starry night..I wanted to take some shots from the beach to that beautiful sky

A short star trail of an amazing starry night

  • March 15th -> I finally met with my friend Thomas, responsable of the Angaza Junior School of the Kibokoni village, the school I’m supporting since a couple of years. Actually it has 11 classrooms, an enrolment of 205 kids of different ages and 13 staff members including the teachers.

Some of “my” kids getting a pause from the lessons

The majority of the children comes from the surrounding villages after some km walking by and normally they wouldn’t have the chance to study. Kenya government estimates that about 9 milion kidsin between 5 and 13 years old doesn’t go to school due the fact they are needed in their family’s maintenance working hard in the fields. This, assuming that about 44% of the children that lives in the bush are not registered at all, loosing the possibility to get schooled.

Every time I come here, I start a campaign with gofundme.com to collect some more money to continue the works, that actually are: plastering, flooring and wiring the classrooms, buying books, buying sport equipments… We did a lot of nice works in the meantime. Right now, I’m in a new campaign to build the library in september 2018.

“If you are reading this article and you want to contribute, please click here and donate whatever you want or can.”

The cheque delivered to my friend Thomas to complete the works for the classrooms

He showed me all the works they did after my last campaign in 2017 and then I spent some time playing with the kids and talking with the teachers.

  • March 16th -> Today I decided to move to Watamu, about 20-30′ driving from Malindi, to visit some crazy beautiful beaches you can easily find here. The water is normally clearer than Malindi due to the distance from where the Sabaki river opens up to the ocean.

An amazing view of the white coral beach along Watamu seashore with low tide

Watamu is a small town located approximately 105 km north of Mombasa and about 15 km south of Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It lies on a small headland, between the Blue Lagoon and Watamu Bay. Its main economic activities are tourism and fishing. The town has a population of around 1.900 inhabitants and it is part of the Kilifi County.

The shoreline in the area features white sand beaches and offshore coral formations arranged in different bays and beach: Garoda Beach, Turtle Bay, Blue Lagoon Bay, Watamu Bay, Ocean breaze, and Kanani reaf and Jacaranda beach. They are protected as part of the Watamu Marine National Park. The Marine Park is considered one of the best snorkelling and diving areas on the coast of East Africa. It is also rated the third best beaches in Africa, for it crystal clear water and silver sand beaches

Before getting to Watamu, worth the time to stop in Gede.. not only to see the ruins of the old city dated XIII century, but even to enjoythe time with all the monkeys living here..really greedy of bananas!

One by one does not hurt anyone..

Normally, it’s not possible to feed wild animals of course…but sometimes, well, they turn a blind eye..

The word “banana” comes from the Arab word “banan,” which means fingertip. This makes sense, since a single banana is called a finger! A whole bunch of bananas together is called a hand

The Ruins of Gede (even known as Gedi) are located here. Although not thought to be mentioned in historic sources, extensive ruins of a former port have been dated to the thirteenth century or earlier, including a tomb with a date corresponding to 1399, until at least the seventeenth century. Later, the port was abandoned and not rediscovered until the 1920s. The buildings are of coral, earth and plaster, some with designs inscribed. They include a mosque, palace, houses and tombs as well as a fort. The style is classified as Swahili architectureThe modern village is home to a museum and a butterfly house. Gede was part of the Malindi District (until it was eliminated in 2010) and it has an urban population of abouth 596 in 2005.

Sunset time: you can’t miss a Tusker (local beer) at the amazing Crab Shack in the Mida Creek!  Situated at Mida Creek, not far from Dabaso village, the restaurant is a discreet, community run low impact wooden construction standing at the edge of the mangrove forest with panoramic views of the Creek. The Boardwalk and Crab Shack was built by Mida Creek Conservation Community, to promote eco activities, protect the mangrove forests and provide education for the poor Mida Creek fishing communities.

Stunning sunset view over the Mida Creek from the Crab Shack

While getting here, it’s possible to meet some “habitué” (regular customers) crossing your walk.. You don’t wanna claim your right to pass: just wait and enjoy this moment..

Baboons are opportunistic omnivores and selective feeders that carefully choose their food. Grass makes up a large part of their diet, along with berries, seeds, pods, blossoms, leaves, roots, bark and sap from a variety of plants. Baboons also eat insects and small quantities of meat, such as fish, shellfish, hares, birds, vervet monkeys and young, small antelopes.

Quick important hint: the main road, the Mombasa road, that drives you from Malindi to Watamu and back.. like any other main roads it’s always dangerous due to the many matatus and trucks crossing it, most of the time with zero-care about street rules.. So, if you are with a car keep your eyes well open and, if you are with a motorcycle, I suggest you to leave this road before it gets dark.

  • March 17th -> today, yet another wild day.. Breakfast and then, taking advantage of the low tide, I  went to one of my preferred beach here around: the golden beach, Che Shale. I love this beach for its golden sand and for its wilderness.

Che Shale sand constitutes about 15% iron pyrites or “Fools Gold” making the beach sparkle and the water seemingly full of gold glitter.

Taking advantage of the low tide, just after the Sabaki river I get into the bush till the beach of Mambrui: from here, I drove the motorcycle straight into the seashore..an emotion impossible to forget.

With nobody around, the sense of wild is at its top!

Just before reaching Che Shale, worth the time a stop to the big amazing dunes where is mandatory a climb over the highest one to enjoy a stunning view over the ocean and the surrounding forest!

Sometimes you just want to lay down here and look…deep into the panorama and into yourself..

All the seashore is practically wild and with really a few people around, mainly fishermen and kids..

Wild seashore at its finest

Time to have a bath, a good kenyan coffee and back from the same path before the high tide came.

It is never too late to love yourself..

  • March 18th -> unfortunately, “my time has come”: back to reality. After having fixed all my stuff, I got picked up by a friend that kindly took me to the airport; sincerely, I expected him to come with at least a tuk tuk but you never knows what’s happen here so..it arrived with a piki piki (actually a bajaj, a motorcycle). Loaded up the luggages and me…we went straight to the airport 15′ far from the resort.

Hakuna matata.. best taxi ever!

Of course, can’t miss to get a photo with the ascari (security guard) that I had the pleasure to meet here: a very friendly guy that I’ll be glad to catch up with the next time

Working day and night, a stable work with a stable incoming is great and not common nowadays, especially here

Now, back to europe.. but always thinking about travel more and visit all africa even if my heart stays in Kenya. Next trip… Uganda and Rwanda! Stay tuned!

 

About “be back to reality”….:

“If you are not happy, a good salary isn’t a progress: it’s a financial prison. Life is meant to be lived, not sold to the hightest bidder. Social conformity, the media, our education systems dictate that we should go to school, go to a university, go to a city, work in an office, save for a retirement that we’ll be too old to enjoy. Do you really want it like that?”

Healthy breakfast at the Ocean Beach resort

 

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