Boxing Day Safari

Guess what-- I finally saw some wild animals in Malawi! First I saw the monkey on the Zomba Plateau on Christmas Day. Then Mary Beth and I went to the Liwonde Safari Park for a boat tour on the Shire River and... well, see for yourself.

Crocs, hippos and elephants-- oh my! There were a ton of birds too. Plovers, ibises, herons, egrets, kingfishers and white pelicans, to name a few.

We camped that night at the park, and heard the grunting noises of warthogs as we slept. They are actually kind of cute with their little snouts and tusks-- from a distance.

It was one of the best experiences I have had in Malawi so far. It made for a lovely Boxing Day.

By the way, Boxing Day is a National Holiday in Malawi that falls on December 26th. According to Wikipedia, the holiday started because long ago it was traditional for employers to gifts of appreciation to their servants the day after Christmas. It is celebrated in many places including the United Kingdom, which explains why they celebrate it here in Malawi.