Presidential Pooch Part II

On the first day we toured much of the volcanic north. On day two we headed east to Akagera park, on the border with Tanzania. Rwanda isn't known as a major safari destination, but Akagera has a good assortment of the usual African fauna. Check 'em out:


Giraffes were the most cooperative subjects. The let us walk up very close before they got annoyed with us and loped away with their long and deceptively fast strides.


Giraffes are very social animals, and often one or more keep watch while others eat.


Our crew for the day, from left to right: Andrew McGregor, Jon Vidar, William Karambizi, and an Akagera park ranger.


Zebras were much less cooperative. Most of our photos are of their backsides.


Akagera is full of a bewildering variety of things with hooves and horns that the park ranger invariably called "antelope." When he was feeling expansive he would explain the differences, but mostly he just pointed at stuff and said "antelope." It was very similar to the way the Rwandese point at everyone who's not African and say "muzungu."


Hippos were the least cooperative. Mostly they stayed underwater, surfacing occaisionally to spout like whales and grunt a bit before going back under. As photographers we were frustrated, but as overgrown kids we were thrilled to be standing so close to them.


Jon in the safari jeep. Other groups we met were clearly envious of our open canopy roof.


The tour operator liked this one. Hey, if he's happy, I'm happy.