The journey out was going well but was even better when we were upgraded to Club Class for the flight to South Africa.
Once we found the guide at Livingstone, the holiday really took off. There were only two other guests and one of them dropped out half because she wanted more lions and luxury so for most of the time there were just three of us. This gave plenty of room in the vehicles and virtually personal attention. At times, we were outnumbered by the camp staff.
We met the main tour guide at the first camp, by which time we had already seen baboons and elephants. At this camp, they laid on a boat trip on the Zambezi for more animal spotting and we had our last taste of comfort.
The next day we transferred to Botswana and the arrangements went well. The animal spotting around the Chobe river front was very good and we sailed close to elephants making the river crossing.
Unfortunately, road transport was not available to the first camp in Botswana and we had a very uncomfortable 45 minute flight to the Linyanti camp. The final section by road was livened up when a leopard walked through some kudu and crossed the road in front of us.
I would not like to say that the three Botswana camps were completely as per the brochure but it did not matter - the pluses more than outweighed any minuses. To sit down to lunch with elephants walking relatively close by to the water is a wonderful experience and at the same time we could watch the hippo in the pool that would noisily graze near the camp at night.
No-one believes how many and how many types of animal that we saw. I have nearly 2000 photos covering virtually all of the types of animals and some of the birds. All of the drives produced masses of animals. Only one lion and one lioness but who cares. We were very close to vervet monkeys, baby elephants, warthogs and many others, all of which were fascinating in their own right. Occasionally we saw other safari cars but they never spoilt our viewing and we never saw a village between Chobe and Maun.
Our guide was Emmanuel and he was brilliant in terms of knowledge, customer care and management. All of the camp staff were very attentive and the food was of a high standard. On the last night, the camp staff demonstrated various African skills, including their singing.
One of our concerns had been medical support. During the trip I developed shingles, which probably started at about the time I was leaving the UK. At first we put it down to muscle strain and heat rash but then realised it was something else. By then we were at the last camp. After discussing it with Emmanuel, I was taken by 'emergency' mokoro to the larger camp where the manager took my blood pressure and temperature and photographed the spots. She then radioed it all to the bush doctor, who came back with a diagnosis. Fortunately, I did not need major drugs and the camp supplied what I did need. If necessary, they would have taken me to a camp near Maun for further treatment. I cannot speak too highly of the care and attention that I received from everyone at the big camp and at our own.
As an aside, I did not like the big camp at all - it was far too civilised! We were with the animals, day and night, we ate with some of the staff and felt part of the environment. The big camp had raised walkways, big guest areas and little contact with the staff. I could not wait to get back, although rounding a bend in reeds brought the mokoro up close to an elephant's backside that was paddling in front of us - the one time I did not have my camera! Quite safe but very unexpected.
In terms of safety, we were always close to the animals but never felt at risk, even at night. Safety was paramount and we were always kept within the rules but this did not inhibit our activities. We were often with a few yards of the animals, including the lion.
Despite all of the above, I am finding it difficult to put into words the sheer enjoyment that we had and the value of the experience. We would like to go back but know that it could never be as good as this - the small group, the guide, the wildlife. For a first trip to Africa, we could not have wished for better.
Thanks for all of your help and for a wonderful holiday."
John N. Botswana. September 2010.
Wildlife and Safari Holidays in Botswana - click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment