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 largely in use in Third World countries.

The unit has no rudder, so steering is achieved by manually turning the entire propulsion unit, which has a propellor at the bottom - rather like a giant outboard.

Fascinating as ferry propulsion systems are, however, there is a practical complication for us, in that the ferry is to be closed for 10 days from 22nd October - and we are booked into Paraa Lodge on the north side of the river until the 22nd. We had been told previously that the ferry would not be working at all this week, so the 22nd may have a bit of flex in it, but we have decided to play safe and get Herbert (our driver) to take the Land Cruiser to the south side on the 21st and we will rejoin him on the 22nd. The alternative is a 6 hour diversion to the first upstream bridge.