On November 3, a total solar eclipse took place over Africa. Joyce accompanied a group that travelled to Uganda especially for this astronomical phenomenon. Maximum duration? 1m 40s….
With 41 eclipse enthusiasts we travel to Uganda, nearby Packwach and Gulu, especially for the hybrid eclipse on November 3. At the moment suprême there is clear vision, what a happiness! The weather gods are very favourable to us.
The central solar eclipse begins as an annular eclipse over the Atlantic ocean and quickly becomes total with a maximum duration of 1m 40s. It is the longest-lasting hybrid eclipse of the 21st century. Above the African mainland, from Gabon to Somalia, the duration is less than 1 minute. Note: this eclipse is totally at location 0° 0′ 0″, 0° 0′ 0″, or the intersection of the equator and the zero meridian. The total phase starts there 13:26:00 UT and lasts 54 seconds. In an authentic African setting, we enjoy the first to fourth contact of a wonderful eclipse. A good observation of a total solar eclipse. A nice start to the journey.
After the eclipse I say goodbye to the group and take the opportunity to see as much of Uganda as possible in a short time. I travel with my guide to the following places and parks:
- Entebbe – Kampala (arrival with international flight in Entebbe)
- Murchison Falls N.1000
- Kibale Forest N.P. (chimp tracking)
- Queen Elizabeth N.P.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (gorilla tracking)
- Lake Bunyoni
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in particular makes a deep impression, the gorilla tracking…
The ‘Habinyanja gorilla group’
After an early breakfast with some healthy tension I report at 8am for the gorilla tracking. I am divided into a group of seven people for a visit to the ‘Habinyanja gorilla group’.After an extensive briefing we drive by car to the starting point of the tracking.I have been told beforehand that it is always a wait and see whether we spot gorillas and that the tracking can take a long time from quite short to behóó.
Arriving at our starting point there are people from the nearby village waiting. They offer to carry our bags during tracking for a fee. I am not saying no to that; my camera, backpack, lunchbox and 2 liters of water are extremely heavy!
Early in the morning, trackers have already entered the rainforest for us to determine the locations of the gorillas. They haven’t been found yet. Exciting… Should we run into them today?
After a nice trip of several hours we come near the gorillas… We finally found them!
We leave the excess luggage on a path and go deeper into the forest armed with our camera. We can stay close to the gorillas for an hour. Together with the ranger, I’m going to lead the way. We make our way through the forest with the help of a machete. Much to our horror, we are suddenly approached by the group’s big Silverback with a lot of noise and show of force. What a great impressive experience!
The hour flies by and before we know it is time to say goodbye to the Habinyanja group with its beautiful Silverback and many playing baby gorillas.
Time for lunch after which we start the descent, back to the starting point. In the morning we were not able to pay much attention to the surroundings during the intensive climbing, but now that we go back and descend, the beautiful surroundings with the vistas really get to us. By three o’clock in the afternoon we are tired but satisfied back at the starting point.
This was absolutely the highlight of this trip!
