Packing for the polar sea ice is a mammoth job. Luckily, the Arctic Kingdom guys are masters of organization. Not did they tell us exactly what to bring, but they also rented anything we didn’t own – genius!
Decked out in huge clouds of Canada Goose down - coats, pants and mitts - we climbed into the komatiks (wooden trailers) for the seven-hour rock-and-roll ride to camp.
Cracks in the ice proved to be nothing but fun for the guides. Komatik skis glide over almost anything but snowmobiles don’t…so our guides backed up, gunned their engines and leapt across the biggest cracks. Cirque de Soleil should hire those guys.
We arrived at camp to find towering icebergs beside which our little white and yellow tents looked hilariously tiny. But they were warm, and inviting, and the aroma of a hot dinner wafted from the dining tent…we were home.
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.