WiLd SaFaRi AdVeNtUrE!!

So this past Friday into Saturday, we went on a safari adventure!! A group of about 15 USP students set out on a 9 hour drive to the western part of Uganda near the border of Congo. Our destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park. After getting on the road at 6 am, with a few pit stops on the way, we arrived at the park. As we drove to the visitor’s center, once inside the park, we were surprised to find elephants crossing our path! We were like little kids in a candy shop! Screaming and squealing over the baby elephants, we started taking pictures like it was our job. We were just so excited to see animals the second we arrived!

We continued to the visitor’s center, where we secured a camp site for the night. We set up our tents, then headed to a canteen (restaurant type places here in Uganda) and had dinner. We went to bed early, since we had to wake up at 5am the next morning.

Around 4:45am, we were all woken up by a typical African rain storm… aka torrential downpour with lots of wind. What an experience that was! I’ve never felt so vulnerable to the weather before in my life! The rain eventually stopped after a half hour or so, and we got up and prepared for an exciting day.

At 6am, we set off on our “game drive” where we took our coaster (a small bus) into the depths of the park with a hired safari guide. On this 3 hour drive, we saw TONS of elephants of all sizes, a bunch of wart hogs running around with their tails sticking straight up, herds of water buck and water buffalo, and a ton of birds. We even spotted a leopard resting up in a tree. Another group that was out saw a pack of lions, but we didn’t have time to get there because we needed to head back for a water tour.

So we got back and immediately loaded a boat that was to take us out on Lake Edward. On this ride, we saw masses of hippopotamuses, both in and out of the water. They are such funny animals. We also saw these huge lizards called monterreys, some 3 foot fresh water crocodiles, flocks of birds, cranes, pelicans, and some more water buffalo. The ride also took us past a fisher village that was allowed to live in the park because they were there long before it became a national park. As we passed, it seemed like the whole village was out on the shore of the lake. The guide told us that the men had just returned from an overnight fishing trip, so they were all down there to welcome them back and help them unload. The men and some young boys were untangling nets, while the women sat around and socialized. It was a very neat thing to see. The scenery was also breathtaking, as we were almost completely surrounded by the Rwenzori Mountains. It was beautiful.

We returned from our ride, made some PB&J, packed up our tents, and began our long ride back home. We laughed as we realized it was only noon and yet we had done and seen SO much! On the ride home, 4 of us took out our braids from when we went to Soroti. Our hair had been in a good month or so, and was absolutely awful and disgusting to take out. I think there is still fake hair lying all over the bus. Ew! But it feels great to finally be able to wash my hair, thank God.

I hope you all are well. It’s hard to realize that I will be home in little over a month. Please start praying for my return, as I am well aware that it’s going to be a very difficult transition.

This weekend, we are white-water rafting on the Nile River, doing some class 5 rapids that aren’t even allowed in the United States. So pray for my parents, because I think they are more worried than I am, haha. Love you all!