The vehicle ferry over the Victoria Nile downstream of the Murchison Falls is pretty wacky. Like many in Africa its basically a large pontoon, but rather than being pulled across on chains either side, it has two "Hydromasters" attached, one on each side (the yellow bit of kit in the picture is the starboard one). These are British made propulsion units (which I gather have been made in Thurrock by a firm called Sykes for the last 60 years or so) which are largel...

Working road graders used to be one of Africa's most endangered species, but they appear to have made a big comeback since I last spent time in Africa more than 27 years ago. We have seen significant numbers of the operational species in both Kenya and Uganda - in Kenya in the game reserves and conservancies and in Uganda on some of the big inter urban road building projects which have been underway for some time now. We even saw one in the Congo (pictured) - c...

The big annual sea fishing competition is on this weekend in Malindi and Tim and I went to the traditional "boat auction" that precedes the competition at the Malindi Sea Angling Club last night. Each of the competing boats is "auctioned off" and the money received is pooled and split between the ultimate winners in various categories - so basically it's a betting system on the outcome of the competition. Tim thought I should experience the Malindi Sea Angling C...

You don't see many telephone lines in Kenya - everyone has mobile phones because they are cheap and easy to use. I bought a phone, plus local SIM card, plus 1000 shillings (£8) of airtime for £25. Using it avoids the extortionate charges on a UK mobile and the irritating delays you get whilst your voice travels to the UK and back. It's no IPhone 5 but you can call and text, it has Bluetooth, a 13Mp camera and a good torch - which is very useful here. Topping ...

Just after we had packed up to leave Lali Hills we drove no more than 200m and came across this group of 20 elephants all desperate to get into a mud hole big enough for about 8 elephants, so there was a fair amount of jostling for possession, but ultimately a queuing system developed - and it wasn't always the biggest that went first!