Rwandan Safari

Since all our paperwork is done we got the opportunity to enjoy a safari at the Akagera National Park. The experience was bittersweet because while Cooper and I were experiencing all the animals and incredible scenery, Heidi was back at the hotel feeling rather sick.

The early morning 2 hr drive to the park was beautiful. At one point we had climbed in elevation enough that the clouds were below us in the valleys. When we arrived at the park, a group of three Rwandans that grew up in Canada were having car troubles. Since we were short three (due to illness) we offered them to come with us. We got to observe giraffes, impalas, zebras, oribi, Nile monitor lizards, water buffalos, hippos, and various species of birds. Unforunately, we did not see any cebu. We learned that the lions at the park were killed during the genocide but that if you come for the night safari you can see leopards, spotted hyenas, and other preditors. We had a great view of Lake Ihema. The park borders Tanzania, which we could see across the lake.
After spending the morning on the safari, we returned to Kigali. On our way we got the opportunity to meet the President of Rwanda...at about 80 MPH. Our driver pulled off the road as a Range Rover with flashing lights came speeding past. To our surprise he continued to wait on the side of the road for a few minutes until several more Range Rovers surrounding the president's car came flying past us at around 70-80 MPH. Pretty impressive.

We ended the day with a celebration at Nyanja's home. Unforunately, Heidi was still too sick to come. It was be an fun evening of food, fellowship, and dancing. Nyanja had a Rwandan dance group in her backyard doing traditional Rwandese dances. Nyanja's mother showed all the ladies how to wrap their kids on their back. Since Heidi was not there Nyanja's mother wrapped Cooper on her back, which he actually enjoyed!
Please continue to pray for flight changes for us and the families with whom we are traveling. We are trying to secure flights out of Kigali tomorrow and earlier flights out of Addis to DC next week (Thursday). Some of the families have been confirmed for different portions of the trip and are on waitlists for the others. We have a great travel agent working on Saturday to help us but prayers would definitely help.


(Ghost Blogger - Chad)