Akagera, day 2

Saturday 11th April: 5am we are woken up by the wind which is blowing our pathetic plastic sheet cover off. J gets up at 5.30 and by 6 it starts spitting and its gone from lovely and clear to fogged up and terrential. Luckily we get everything into the car before it starts bucketing.

Breakfast is some sausage sandwiches we threw together the night before. As its completely misty and we're still half asleep, we stop by the Akagera Game Lodge (charges $150 per night) for some hot african tea and croissants.

We pick up the guide from the entrance and are on our way to try to track down the elusive Shoebill stork and meet some alligators, hippos, plenty of birds and lots of deer. (The great close up shots are J's pics).

That evening we camp further north at Mutumba and are chased up the hill by 100's tetsi flies who think we're a large mammal (see car bonnet). Several swats and bites later, we build a fire (pretty difficult using damp wood and loo paper) and pitch the tent under cover. Stunning view of the lakes. This time we're the only tourists.

Baked potatoes (wrapped in tin foil take 20 mins in the fire) with a can of tuna and whole tub of mayo, topped with gouda cheese makes a hearty meal! And with a bathroom only metres away, we have it very easy.