#6: [15-Oct-23]

#5: [09-Aug-23]

#3: [30-Jan-09]

#2: [19-Dec-07]

#1: [30-Dec-02]

10-Jun-2023 -- During our summer holidays in Uganda and Rwanda, I took the chance to visit the primary confluence 0° 30° East on the Equator in Uganda.

We took part in a wonderful trip with about 1.800 km through these both countries. We reached the confluence area after a distance of about two thirds of our way. In addition to this, an overnight stop was planned very close to the Confluence, in the upper area of the village Kikorongo. So it was definite to me to allow for the visit at this confluence point! The travel group and the guide had no problem with my plan and so the whole group (five persons and the guide) took part in my CP visit of 0° 30°E.

By coming from north, along the A 109, and before driving up to the lodges in Kikorongo, we drove on the east sided parking area of the "Ntungamo-Katunguru Road", 300 m south from the CP. In comparison with visit #2, the road was renewed and the parking lanes were added. From visit #3 and also from Google Earth pictures I knew of the Equator monument. But it had disappeared! It seemingly had to give way to the mentioned parking lanes. Now the guide celebrated his well kept secret "crossing-the-line ceremony" with sparkling tonic water! After that the real visit began.

We drove the last 300 m direction north and down to the little ranger station of the "Queen Elizabeth National Park", in which we were already. I stepped out and saw a man and a woman who were washing clothes directly in the closer CP area. I asked the man, his name was Godfried, for access and the pictures, and he agreed. He let me pass to the exact location, which is behind the big water cistern at the beginning of the bush wood. On the ground I found a lot of rubbish. By doing the needed pictures, I recognised the disappeared Equator monument direction West! It is still intact but it stands sloping and starts to get overgrown. I was really surprised and our guide as well, because he and our "crew" discovered it at the same time! In comparison to visit #3 a really huge water cistern was installed next to the house. In comparison to picture #7 from visit #2, the house of raw bricks is now plastered and part of the village Kikorongo, with a gasoline station in front of it. It is said the Chinese had rebuilt the road and that they plan to build up a new Equator monument. Let's see what future brings.

On the next day we passed the parking lane again and found a big picture of the Equator monument on fabric, in original size! A man wanted to have some money for a photo in front of it. After that second surprise we had a wonderful wildlife trip at the Queen Elizabeth NP, including a visit of the crater lake Bunyampaka, were they do salt mining, and a very impressive boat trip at the Kazinga Channel.

That was my southernmost confluence visit and it was part of a wonderful trip in Africa, to see the "Big Five".

Close to the border of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.