December 2012 in Gulu, Uganda

December was a busy month.  It was not only Christmas but we had a mission conference at Murchison Falls Safari Park.  We stayed at Paara Safari Lodge.  All of the couple missionaries were there.  It was a lot of fun and a good break.  We had great meetings, plus great food and saw lots and lots of animals.  We also went on a hike to the top of the falls.  That was a highlight of the trip.  What beautiful scenery.


                                                       MURCHISON FALLS

THE AFRICAN QUEEN

OUR BOAT RIDE ON THE NILE UP TO THE FALLS

THE BARTON'S

THE BALLSTAEDTS

PRES. AND SISTER JACKSON

THE ANDRUS'

PREATOR'S

THE GRUNDY'S 

BAILEY'S

JONES'

BROWN'S

CRAYK'S

JONSON'S

GRUNDY'S

HOLYOAK'S

TANNER'S

WE SAW TOO MANY HIPPO'S TO COUNT

ELEPHANTS COMING DOWN FOR WATER

MURCHISON FALLS

WE PARKED THE BOAT AND THEN HIKED TO THE TOP OF THE FALLS

THE HIKING TRAIL

THE NILE AS SEEN FROM THE TRAIL

HIKING THE TRAIL

GETTING CLOSER

INDEPENDENCE FALLS

MORE OF THE TRAIL

INDEPENDENCE FALLS ON THE LEFT AND MURCHISON FALLS ON THE RIGHT

THERE IS AN INTERESTING STORY ABOUT INDEPENDENCE FALLS THAT WE WERE TOLD.  IN THE 1950'S,  WINSTON CHURCHILL HAD A WALKING BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE FALLS.  IT IS THE BELIEF OF THE ACHOLI'S THAT ROBANGA (MEANING GOD) LIVES UNDER THE FALLS AND HE DIDN'T LIKE HIS SUBORDINATES WALKING OVER HIM SO IN 1962, HE CAUSED A BIG RAIN TO FALL WHICH FLOODED AND WASHED OUT THE BRIDGE.  PART OF THE BRIDGE LODGED  IN THE WATER SOMEWHERE AND CAUSED INDEPENDENCE FALLS TO FORM.  IT HAPPENED ON THE DAY THAT UGANDA GOT ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN, THUS THE NAME, INDEPENDENCE FALLS.

INDEPENDENCE FALLS

STILL HIKING

THE TOP!

THE RAINBOW AT THE TOP OF THE FALLS

WE MADE IT TO THE TOP !

THE GAME DRIVE. 

SEARCHING FOR LIONS WITH SARAH, OUR GUIDE

CHASING A LION

HERE SHE IS.

WE SAT AND WATCHED HER FOR A LONG TIME. 

WE ALSO FOUND A LEOPARD.  IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU CAN SEE ONE IN THE TREE.

SEE THE LEOPARD STANDING NOW.

WE WATCHED UNTIL SHE CLIMBED DOWN FROM THE TREE.  WE WERE A LONG WAYS AWAY AND THIS IS THE BEST SHOT WE COULD GET WITH OUR CAMERA.

ON THE WAY OUT OF THE PARK.

WE MET UP WITH CHARLES AS WE WERE LEAVING THE PARK AND HE TOOK US TO MEET HIS SISTER AND HER FAMILY , WHO STAY  NEARBY.  HE ALSO TOOK US TO SEE SOME LAND THAT HE FARMS AND THE CROPS THAT HE IS GROWING.