Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). On page 6, "full tale of steamers" should possibly be "full tail of steamers." MY AFRICAN JOURNEY [Illustration: MR. CHURCHILL AND THE RHINOCEROS AT SIMBA. _Frontispiece._] MY AFRICAN JOURNEY by THE RIGHT HON. WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL, M.P. Author of "The Story of the Malakand Field Force," "The River War," "London to Ladysmith," "Ian Hamilton's March," "Savrola," "Life of Lord Randolph Churchill" With Sixty-One Illustrations from Photographs by the Author and Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Wilson, and Three Maps Toronto William Briggs 1909 Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, Bread Street Hill, E.C., and Bungay, Suffolk. PREFACE In so far as the collection of information is concerned, the advantages of travel may often be over-stated. So much has been written, so many facts are upon record about every country, even the most remote, that a judicious and persevering study of existing materials would no doubt enable a reader to fill himself with knowledge almost to repletion without leaving his chair. But for the formation of opinion, for the stirring and enlivenment of thought, and for the discernment of colour and proportion, the gifts of travel, especially of travel on foot, are priceless. It was with the design and in the hope of securing such prizes, that I undertook last year the pilgrimage of which these pages give account. I cannot tell whether I have succeeded in winning them; and still less whether, if won, they are transferable. I therefore view these letters with a modest eye. They were written mainly in long hot Uganda afternoons, after the day's march was done. The larger portion has already appeared in the _Strand Magazine_, and what has been added was necessary to complete the story. They present a continuous narrative of the lighter side of what was to me a very delightful and inspiring journey; and it is in the hope that they may vivify and fortify the interest of the British people in the wonderful estates they have recently acquired in the northeastern quarter of Africa, that I offer them in a connected form to the indulgence of the public. WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL _London_, 1908. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I THE UGANDA RAILWAY 1 CHAPTER II AROUND MOUNT KENYA 19 CHAPTER III THE HIGHLANDS OF EAST AFRICA 45 CHAPTER IV THE GREAT LAKE 66 CHAPTER V THE KINGDOM OF UGANDA 86 CHAPTER VI KAMPALA 104 CHAPTER VII 'ON SAFARI' 127 CHAPTER VIII