Bruce Finally Sees the Herd!

So we are on our way up Lake Shore Drive North to scout out the animals in Akagera! 

If you are planning a trip here soon... you need to know that the North bridge is out so you 

have to drive all the way north on the rough roads and then drive all the way back south on them to get out of the park!  The day can be a bit long, but it is worth it!   You might want to stay overnight, though to make the trip more enjoyable!

The dryness surrounds everything!

But the King Fisher is still finding food!
He was chowing down his breakfast...

 After driving about 1 hour or so...we stopped at Hippo Beach
and it did not disappoint.

Look at the little "big" one on the right!

The little one is heading to the water. 

We were being watched.. quite intently!

Grace and beauty.

This huge hippo was off by her lone! 

But she won't be alone for long.... Looks like twins!

Can you imagine carrying a hippo?

 Doesn't look like she can either. 

The big one in front and the little one is behind. 

The Big One from another angle, almost 
touching the ground. 

"Hello...  will we see you around here again, sometime"?

Driving on down to another place we spot this
 big hippo getting out of the water.

I missed the picture of him walking down the
road ahead of the car.  Hilarious!
Hard to imagine these guys eat people...
but they do. They are quite dangerous if you get
between them and their water.
 

  OH, I did get this picture of him!
This was a rare day to see SO many hippos out of the water.

This little baby seemed a little be shoveled. 

Watching to protect her family! 

Snack time!

"I heard something!"

"What are you lookin' at?"

It is soooo dry! 

But these guys found some water.

Oh, NO... It's a mama and her baby plus Ibis.
She did not like us getting so close--even with just the zoom.

Now we are at the North end of the park and
this area is FULL of hippos!

Heading into the lake.

Closer

This is an old hippo who has been in many fights.
I wonder with other hippos or Crocs?  You can see the bite
marks all over his back.

Another Mama and her baby in another little cove.....

 Look she has TWO babies.

Curious Female Waterbucks!

 A new route takes us up on top of the hills for a beautiful view..

 And there we find the giraffe...

But only a couple.. Never did find the big herd.

 Camouflaged in the trees.

             A little closer look....

Daddy Waterbuck starring us down.
These are gorgeous animals.

And this Roller is a beautiful bird! 

Termite hills or towers were everywhere as we entered a
new land that we had never seen at the park. 

 Lake views were expansive.

But the rocks were unbearable to drive on.  

Mathias taking in the view atop the rocks.

Bruce was worried we'd have a flat tire (or 2).  
We didn't think the car would make it. 

We all agreed... This was a rough LONG route over the hills to get back to where we had started... but there weren't any flies up this high and there was no turning back. 

 Finally..... a sign of civilization-- a zebra family.

We were on are way back on the road to the boat house or Lake Shore Drive South...when we saw a car parked off the road and into the brush a bit....  We decided to stop and take a look.

And there RIGHT AHEAD of Bruce was a BIG Elephant.
We sat parked sort of behind the other parked car
and just watched this big guy..... But after a few minutes the other car left and we pulled in --even further since they were motioning to us to pull on in and WHAT a surprise! 

There was the whole herd that we had seen yesterday.. in a sort of swampy area...cooling off in the water. They were about a 50 yards away so i got out of the car and stood behind it to take the following shots. 

 Two big babies and one itsy bitsy baby!
Look at his little trunk and ears! 

 He was so tiny compared to the big mammals around him! 

HOW do they keep from stepping on this little one? 

Mama looked full-fledged at us.

 Babycakes makes his way to her. 

And finally they are together.  We sat along time watching these great creatures.  There were others eating in the bushes closer to us, actually but we never saw them.  We could
only here them rustling. 

BUT BRUCE HAD FINALLY SEEN THE ELEPHANTS AT AKAGERA PARK!  Not all of them, but at least a few!  
It was a great day!  That was the conclusion of our day in the park 
and what a way to end!!  

 We headed home.. over kilometers and kilometers of people..
Here the kids are getting water from the well.  And others
are just relaxing! 

Except for that rocky road, we too had a relaxing time...  We made it back to Kigali for a good night's rest before Eva and Mathias headed back to Germany the next day!
We had a great time together.... and i hope their
experiences in Rwanda will spread throughout Germany
and even Europe so that more and more tourists
will come to see this beautiful country!

Eva and Mathias head home for a BIG celebration soon...

Their 25th wedding anniversary.

We trust you had a great party and time with your family and
friends and will remember your special day until your 50th!

Congratulations!

love,
margie