Back in February 2014, we hired TrueAfrica to plan our Kenyan Safari. It was so memorable, that when we decided to return to Africa, we used TrueAfrica again, and so far they are doing a superb job.
We will spend almost a week in Botswana and our first destination is Camp Kalahari located near Maun Botswana. To visit the camp, you have to fly for an hour in a small propeller plane and land on a gravel runway. Before landing, the pilot has to circle the field to make sure there are no Zebras on the runway. Yes, that is a thing and gives a whole new meaning to clearing the runway.
The bush camp is safari rustic chic, and offers a lot of amenities including a pool, communal dining and even WiFi. Upon entering the camp, you are greeted by the staff with chilled towels and introductions are made. Each day starts at 5:00 AM, so we can have breakfast and then drive into the bush by 7:00 AM. I will talk about the animals in a bit. Later in the day, you return for lunch, take a siesta during the hottest part of the day, and take another drive at 5:00 PM. The afternoon drive is the best because you have a sundowner cocktail hour on the plains while watching the animals play. Very romantic and some amazing sunsets. I would remiss if I didn’t mention the chef and her culinary skills. The food quality and variety is excellent and best of all for me, they make their own hot sauces.
We chose the low / rainy season to avoid the crowds and the worst of the summer heat. Guess what? It has been sunny, hot and for the most part, no rain, and the camp is only a third filled, so lots of personal service. Yeah us! So enough about the camp, I know you want to see animal pictures, so here is everything we saw in no particular order.
Wildebeest, Sparrow Weaver Nests, Antelopes and an unexpected Elephant
Lots of Wildebeests are around and so many bird varieties, we lost track. We have spotted a few Spring Buck Antelopes, but not that many. Elephants are rare this time of year, as the ground becomes muddy during the rainy season and being so heavy, their hoofs sink in the mud. We were fortunate to spot this male last night, but by the time we caught up with him it was well after sunset, so the light was poor.
Zebras, Zebras and More Zebras
The zebras are migrating so vast herds are roaming the bush, and we spotted a number of babies. The babies can walk immediately after birth and run within three days. Zebras are very skittish, so you can’t really get close and they travel in family groups. One of the group is always watching and if you attempt to approach, they run away.
The Cheetah
By far the best animal sighting was the Cheetah. The Cheetah is the smallest of the big cats, and although the fastest, it is the weakest when compared to tigers and lions. Cheetah are conflict-adverse and prefer to hide than fight with other animals. We caught this fine specimen in the morning, and he posed for almost an hour. We even caught a yawn (watch out for the fangs) and the act of marking his territory by urinating on trees.
Lions
During our evening drive, our tracker received reports of a part of lions in the area. We sped-off and found a mother / daughter pair, and they were patiently stalking a herd of Zebras. Unfortunately, the Zebras spotted these predators so we didn’t witness a kill. Nevertheless, they were very cute and it seemed the mother was exasperated with her daughter a few times.
Meerkats
Not sure how to describe the Meerkats. They are playful and curious critters and have been socialized by the Botswana Park Service, so they do not fear humans. We arrived early in the morning and patiently awaited their emergence from their burrow. The Meerkat Guide from the Government is a constant companion to these animals, and his daily presence is why they accept humans now. The hard part is you never know when they will emerge exactly and they have multiple burrows they use, so you may not see them if they moved during the day. As you can see, they are curious and basically ignore humans.
The Tribe
We met a local tribe, and it was an extremely uplifting and interesting experience. I would like to tell you their name but due to the way they pronounce it, our guide could not spell it in English. The elder greeted us first by introducing himself, shaking our hands and then asking our name. The process was repeated for everyone in the tribe, and it was fun. Immediately after the greeting, the tribe broke into song. It was beautiful and everyone seems so happy and intuitively understands their role. Two of the tribe were shamans (energy healers), so Eunjae basked in the high vibrational spiritual healing energy.
As you can see, their clothing is simple and designed for comfort and coolness with beautiful beady decorations. It is made from Spring Buck skin and is adorned with local beads and intricate stitching. Women carry their babies papoose style, and the kids ride along unperturbed no matter what activity the mother is doing.
The women were extremely loving and Eunjae really tapped into their positive energies and felt in her soul, and the women responded by hugging her, giving her a tribe name, and gifting her a necklace. A totally unique experience that left us changed forever.
Green’s Baobab Tree
Green’s Baobab is an iconic natural attraction located in the heart of Botswana, just outside the small village of Tutume. This giant baobab tree, famed for its impressive size and unique shape, is believed to be over a thousand years old, making it one of the oldest living trees in the region. Standing majestically with a trunk so wide that it can accommodate several people inside, this ancient tree offers a unique photo opportunity and a chance to connect with nature on a profound level. People for hundreds of years have left their initials in the tree. I saw one dating all the way back to 1874. It was an impressive tree considering that it grows in an arid dessert.
Final Thoughts
The people of Camp Kalahari have created a magical environment and work tirelessly to ensure the guests have a perfect safari. We enjoyed the entire experience and will remember our time fondly. Our next stop is Khwai Leadwood. We wish you all could be here to participate in this wondrous journey. I will leave you with some beautiful sunsets we have enjoyed.
