Introduction: off to new overland adventures

With quite some delay, I could finally start my next road trip. At the same time, I felt equally as before my last year’s Eastern European trip, but also completely different. I was leaving my stationary place again and launched another nomadic period. For the next couple of months, I will be constantly on the move. The first chapter took me around the Eastern African Community. I wanted to learn, what connects and divides this area.

Western Kenya: leaving Nairobi after 4 months

I could not have started my trip more adventurous. After a marathon of mechanical and administrative problems, I was everything but certain about my trip. A dear new friend in Nairobi helped me to do some last minute preparations. Together we pushed mechanics and officials to their limits. Instead of early morning, we left Nairobi in the early afternoon in a rush to cover some distance. After two days of driving, we reached the border to Uganda. With wobbly knees, I approached one official after the other. Once you know the steps, the procedure is fairly straight forward. It took me more than an hour to cross my first African border by car.

East Uganda: from the source to the big falls

From the first sight, Uganda is more rural and poor than Kenya. Peasants, children and even the police were all asking for some sort of support. Nevertheless, all the people are extremely friendly, helpful and seem genuinely happy. My very first destination, Jinja, we just reached in time for the Nyege Nyege Music Festival. Together with old and new friends, we enjoyed local food, culture and arts. The highlights certainly were dancing through the night into the sunrise and then swimming in the refreshing water. Next, I continued with two friends to the remote, but majestic Sipi Falls. Abseiling down the thundering waterfall concluded my first adventure.

Central Uganda: fast mopeds and hot pork

Kampala, the capital, I visited on an earlier round trip from Nairobi. As one of my last activities in Nairobi, I flew to Uganda to conduct a Usability Research – a last quality test for the new Angaza sales app. Besides doing some work, I also explored the city and its 7 major hills. The best overview I got from the top of Gadhafi Mosque’s minaret. My introduction to the local food, I got from a lovely new friend at the two city’s Rugby clubs. To my surprise, the city felt much more safe than Nairobi. Countless Boda Boda’s (moped taxis) brought me quickly and cheap to every corner. Kampala is pretty large but feels like a rural town.

West Uganda: lakes, mountains and forests

Uganda is landlocked between Kenya and the Congo. On mostly fine roads, I crossed the country from the eastern Lake Victoria to the western Lake Albert. From the latter, I caught my first glimpse on the wild Congolese mountains. The West generally seems less developed, more wild and natural. This is manifested by more dirt roads and less infrastructure. However, there are many extraordinary National Parks along the Congolese border. After driving through the parks of the Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, I passed by the Rwenzori Mountains and Bwindi Forest. Enjoying the picturesque Crater Lakes and southern Lake Mutanda and Bunyonyi along the way.

Game Drives: on rough roads into the wild

With great excitement, I launched my first Game Drive. By a modern definition, this means driving through a National Park or Conservancy on the search for the perfect picture of wild animals. For myself, it meant the adventure of navigating through rough trails without a helping guide. While the planning around opening hours and scheduled ferries had its perils, nature was just stunning. From a large herd of Elephants, grazing Giraffes, Zebras and different types of Gazelles up to Lions sleeping in trees. Driving my own car without a guide was a truly great experience.

Summary: a diverse and divided community

After two weeks, I reached Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Only there came my revelation, that the Eastern African Community exists just on paper. Getting an Eastern African Visa for Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya was a real hustle. At the Kampala (Entebbe) Airport, I had to argue with three hierarchies of officials to get this cheaper option. Moreover, Tanzania recently withdrew completely from the Community. In comparison to its neighbouring countries, Rwanda feels extremely different. Both countries, I will cover in my next journey along the Lake Tanganyika. After all, Eastern Africa is sort of connected through its Swahili and British Colonial history, but equally diverse and divided through tribes and politics.

A warm hug to everyone who danced or drove along my side through Eastern Africa.