But this is not that place where the historic phrase was said „Dr. Livingstone, I presume?“ The first meeting of the two great explorers was actually two weeks earlier in Tanzania, Ujiji, in November 10, 1871. Here in Mugere they spent together two days and then moved on to the northen tip of Lake Taganjika.
As they were the first Europeans around here their arrival was such a memorable event that this place was considered to be their first meeting point.
One has to turn right at the sale of calling cards, there are no signposts or labels in sight. Then the trail takes through somebody`s yard and there is a big rock a few hundred metres away. Nobody selling souvenirs, nobody collecting ticket money. Only the kids running closer and calling „Mzungu, mzungu!„ As usual. White people are called mzungus.
Toyota mini-bus or the „matatu“. I didn`t stay long to find out where the Yamaha boat engine will be placed. It was clear that it was not left behind. What does not fit in will be tied on the roof or bumper, as there is no shortage of imagination.
Fish drying.
Taganyika Lake, the longest freshwater lake (676 km) in the world and the second by the size and depth (1470 m) after Lake Baikal.
So, you just make a brief stop and you are surrounded by people. As in the capital there are some white people around but in rural areas the arrival of a tourist is a big event.
Guidepost –the sourse of the Nile 30 km.
A big empty parking lot waiting for tourists, but there are none.
Getting the ticket. 5000 or another 2,7 euros for the development of local tourism.
There is a pyramid at the top of the hill. Isn´t it symbolic that there is a pyramid at the source of the Nile and at the mouth as well .
A view at Burundi by the pyramide.
In order to visit the actual source one has to go downhill. The pine forest is like in Estonia.
Only the needles are 3 times bigger. As usual around here.
Here is the very place the River begins its journey.
Karera Waterfalls. Said to be much more powerful on rainy season. Only during that time getting near will be quite difficult.
A few kilometres to the waterfall. It was necessary to have an armed accompanist with. Not a very safe place, it was said. Not much talk about it, only that 4 years ago tourists had been robbed by the fall. As it was more than an hour`s journey to a bigger town Gitagani, I wanted to know of the chances to spend the night safely there. It was said to be not a good idea. Not safe. So I still drove to Gitega
The trees were so tall that you move and move backwards to get the whole tree in the picture, but still the stop is missing. The ground is so fertile that whatever is thrust inside the ground it will grow fast and large. And more forest than in Rwanda. In that country almost all the sides of the hills are chopped out and cultivated. Well, after all, 11million needs food.
Furniture workshop by the road. The roof is protecting from the sun and rain.
And the tailor.
No more pictures now. The theme of the next post is in the picture below.
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