The area of our operation along the Nile River, from Sudan to Lake Albert, was the site of many historic events and the location of many prehistoric sites.
During the course of your normal safari we will take you to see the ruins of historic forts from the period 1876 to 1907 and prehistoric sites from the iron age.
Prehistoric Sites:
Iron-working Bantu People- The Chobi archaeological site in Murchison National Park represents the earliest radiocarbon date close to our safari area of operation. Test results indicate the site was occupied at 290AD (plus or minus 125 years). The Iron age period of Uganda is marked by the introduction of domestic cattle, agriculture of sorgho & finger millet and of course iron production. Prior to the Iron Age hunting & gathering societies existed.
Archaeologists divide the Iron age of Uganda into two time periods based upon a change in pottery style about 1300AD. From 500BC to 1300AD the pottery style is called Urewe, which is a groved and bevel design well fired pottery. From 1300AD to 1800AD the pottery style is called Rouletted, that is a poorly fired distinctive rouletted decorated ceramic.
The archaeological sites of the iron age are also characterized by: iron slag, iron axes, grinding stones, pottery sherds, tewels (forge chimmney pipes), cattle bones and quartz artifacts.
There are iron age sites near our camp you will visit.
There are 4 historic sites within range of our Swamp Airboats:
Fort Dufile-Located on the north bank of the Albert Nile, just south of the Sudan border. Under the Khedive of Egypt this fort was built and occupied by Sudanese-Nubian forces from 1876 to 1888 and later by Belgium forces from 1892-1907. Its purpose was to push the province of Equatoria into the Ugandan highlands, act as a major riverport for steamboats and control trade. Throughout the center of the fort there are ruined brick buildings in an area of about 11 acres, surrounded by an earthwork 3 meters high and a ditch 2 meters deep. At one point the Fort had over 10,000 people who had fled the fighting to the north. During the revolt of Muhammad Ahmad (The Mahdi-the Expected One) in 1881-1898 the Fort was cut off from the rest of world and attacked once in 1888. During this time The English General Gordon was killed and beheaded by The Mahdi during the fall of Khartoum. The attack on Fort Dufile on Nov 25, 1888 was repulsed by Emin Pasha's troops, the first loss for The Mahdist forces.The Mahdists left behind 210 dead after 4 days of intense fighting. Archaeological excavations are planned.
The 1888 Mutiny at Fort Dufile by Nubian-Sudanese mercenaries. Emin Pasha in the center. From August to November of 1888 Emin Pasha was held prisoner at this Fort by his mutinied troops.
Ivory stockpile along the Nile, awaiting shipment by steam boat.
Fort Wadelai- Established around 1876 on the west bank of the Nile. This was Emin Pasha's favorite Fort and archaeological test excavations in 1963 showed that he used canned foods as part of his supplies. In November of 1888 Emin Pasha and most of his forces fell back to this fort to await help. Henry Mortan Stanley (of the famous phrase "Livingston I presume") set out to rescue Emin Pasha, but only reached him, after an ill-fated trip through the Congo, where Stanley losses 2/3rds of his expedition members.
Emin Pasha and his soldiers in a steam boat on Lake Albert, South of Fort Wadelai circa 1888.
Fort Bora - On the East bank of the River Nile, across the river from Rhino Camp. Built by Emin Pasha, but little of its history is known.
Emin Pasha at his portable writting desk. Emin Pasha was born Eduard Schnitzer in Silesia (Germany), converted to Islam and took the name Mehemet Emin. Later he adopted the name of Emin Pasha when he was appointed govenor of Equitoria. He is known to have been a medical doctor and spoke at least 8 languages. He was killed by slave traders in today's Tanzania.
Fort Magungo - located on the south bank of the Victoria Nile, within Murchison Falls National Park. An Egyptian built earthworks fort started 1876 by Romolo Gessi with 1000 men. He was sent into the area to control trade by General Charles Gordon. This was to be one of a series forts from Sudan to Lake Victoria. The purpose of the forts/trading centers were to divert the Lake Kingdom trade from the Zanzibar route towards Eqypt. The fort was immediately attacked in July of 1876 by 300 Nyoro troops, who were repulsed. The fort became a failure because the Banyoro people abandon the region due to continued unprovoked attacks, by Fort Magungo soldiers, for food & slaves.
