Just a couple hours ago tonight while Tehri, Charlie and I were eating dinner around the fire outside of the bush kitchen, we watched 5 male buffalo bulls drinking at the tiny water hole about 10m away. The fireplace area is surrounded merely by a row of rotted vertical posts but it provides a wonderful false sense of security. The three of us did an army crawl through the sand (I had Tehri’s Jack Russell Baxter in my arms) so that we were lying with our heads just above the fence. It was absolutely incredible to watch them. There is a spotlight aimed at and situated about 7m from the edge of the water hole for our viewing pleasure so as our eyes adjusted from the fire to the black night it was absolutely unreal. As we sat silently we then watched a Civet (looks like a Genet but with more of a raccoon face) silently wander in front of us in the direction of the water but then disappeared into the tall grass when the buffalo failed to indicate that they were in a sharing mood. Spotting buffalo on a day or night game drive has almost lost its thrill but as we lay there watching these old bulls drink and even fight (and then realizing that these guys could tear right through us if they felt the desire) it was amazingly exhilarating. The chorus of jackal and lions calls in the near distance just made it all that much better. Who needs a TV when you have the cinema of the bush!!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.