Happy World Chimpanzee Day!

All 16 of the KFSP schools celebrated World Chimpanzee Week, but Rutoma B. and Mituuli scored the highest during our preparatory visits, earning a special celebration with us and some guest speakers. The event took place from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM and featured a skit and traditional dance performed by the Wildlife Club members. This was followed by presentations from a snare remover, a primate researcher, and a park ranger from Kibale National Park. Luke also represented the conservation education team, explaining the significance of World Chimpanzee Day and honoring Jane Goodall’s legacy, which marks her first visit to Tanzania to study chimpanzees on July 14, 1960.

On Sunday, we had our long-anticipated safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park! We woke up at 4:30 AM, aiming to leave by 5:00 AM to arrive by 7:30 or 8:00 AM for the best chance to see lions, as they are most active in the mornings. Unfortunately, due to power issues in the kitchen, our packed lunches weren’t ready until 6:30 AM, so we missed the lions.

Despite that setback, the adventure was unforgettable! With Gorret, Isaac, and Shami joining us, we crossed the equator and captured memorable photos. Inside the park, we embarked on a game drive led by Natasha, a park ranger who shared fascinating insights. We encountered hippos, water buffalo, antelope, African Savannah elephants, warthogs, and a variety of birds. Although we briefly waited for a leopard, we had to move on to catch our boat cruise.

The cruise was the highlight of the day, taking us along a channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Just look at the photos below! From the boat, we enjoyed spectacular views of wildlife, including Nile crocodiles, and even had hippos swimming beneath us, gently rocking the boat. It was a fantastic way to experience the park and learn more about its incredible animals.