Joe's Birthday Safari

Sunday, April 24 we had Pacifique pick us up at the health center and take us into Kayenzi to catch a twege to Kigali. Joe, K, and I ended up in the first seat behind the driver. Sounds like a good place except that there is no room for your feet. 

The place in Kigali to catch a twege or bus is called the nybagogo. Rachel bought tickets for us on a bus, the Stella Express, to go to Rwamagana where we would see her host family and go on the safari. That ride was about 1 1/2 hours. Not so cramped. 

Checked into Devera Hotel. Walked to her host family's house for dinner. Met her mama, Assunta, Papa, Innocent, sisters Teta (Christella) and Esta (Estella) and brother, Loïc. Sat in their nice living room and talked while Esta watched tv. In the end it was probably good that tv was on because after a while the conversation wanes. The movie Avatar was on in English. 

As I said, we were there for dinner. At around 8:00, mama said that she was sorry but didn't have time to make 

dinner. So, we went back to the hotel to eat. 

Early morning as driver, David, would pick us up at 6:30. He got to hotel at 7:00, and we were off. Took almost 2 hours to get to Akagera National Park. We registered and got things in order to head out. 

David was a wonderful guide. Saw impalas, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, storks, water bucks, cape buffalo, monkeys, baboons, African fish eagles, weaver birds, herons, kingfishers, Guinea fowl, warthogs, topi, antelope. 

These are impalas - maybe one of my new favorite animals. They have the black stripes on their bottoms so the babies can follow their mommies. Seemed like there were zillions of them. 

We saw some elephants early on, and then were going down the road when we saw many elephants including a mother with a nursing baby. We had to stay at least 20 meters from her since she was nursing. As we were watching and taking pictures, daddy elephant appeared around the bend in the road and did not appear to be pleased that we were there. He kept coming towards us as David backed up the Land Cruiser. 

We started the day at the southern part of the park and went to the north. When we left the park at 4:30, we were very close to Uganda. Another 2 hours or so back to hotel. Exhausting but wonderful day.