The remnants of the violent volcanic activity at Queen Elizabeth National park, were astonishing.
Ferocious volcanic eruptions, some 8000 - 10,000 years ago, released massive amounts of ashes widely far from their vents; creating basin-like features referred to as "Craters."
Through Kabatoro gate, on a 27 kilometer drive to the Queen's Pavilion, was scattered 72 huge craters. Located in the north western region of Queen Elizabeth N.P, the gate was the starting point to the crater lakes tour.
The 3 hour drive exposed the group and I to the 3 main crater fields at Queen Elizabeth N.P, which were;
Katwe Explosion Craters:
These were in the northern part of the "Mweya Peninsula" with lake Katwe being the main one.
Lake Katwe, of approximately 3,270 feet depth, was a hub for a monolithic salt mining operation due to its saline waters.
During the dry seasons, evaporation led to the concentration of the salt solution forming salt rocks which were collected, filtered and made into "Table salt." From Pan-like compartments built on the edge of the lake.
The salt extraction process was spectacular to observe, some miners tirelessly cracking the sodium chloride rocks and others carrying sacks of the shattered rocks.
This experience was greatly amplified by the panorama of the flocks of the flame-colored, long legged flamingos, sorting out algae at the lake.
There were some wide mouth opening, hairless bodied and large sized hippos too.
Bunyaruguru Crater Field:
Recognized by the worldwide Volcano discovery, this was the next go to.
Also called the "Kichwamba Crater field", this area had up to 20 craters containing both saline and fresh waters.
They were located on the western side of Queen Elizabeth N.P in the Kichwamba escarpment of the western Rift valley. Most of these were filled with thickets of small trees and bushy grasslands, except for Lake Nkugute that was attractively filled with water and easily spotted if traveling along the Kasese - Mbarara highway.
Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field:
A foot trail was encouraged at this crater field. It was a 10 kilometre long stretch of closely packed craters.
A quick swim was discouraged as most of these craters contained toxic greenish waters and emitted smelly sulphuric fumes, which emanated from beneath.
Lakes like Nkuruba, Lyantonde, Nyabikere, among others constituted the crater field.
This mid morning tour climaxed at the Queen's Pavilion, a small thatched hut with a magnificent view of most the park's land.
Brunch was served...
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