For us sisters, our ‘Adventure Life’ expedition started well before we embarked on the actual tour. It started off with receiving our packing list guideline and coming to terms with alien items such as “Parkas” and “Gore-Tex” fabrics and where to buy them. Plus we spent time getting into a workout regimen with the hope we increase our fitness levels before we leave. While we were mentally prepared to face the great out-doors and be adventurous (which is why we chose ‘Adventure Life’ tours in the first place), being city girls our idea of a trek was walking to the neighborhood supermarket!
Buenos Aires here we come!
Completely exhausted from two 15 hour flights, but raring to go, we walked out of the “Departures” terminal where an elderly man (our transfer guide) greeted us and escorted us to our hotel Casa Las Canitas in the hip and posh neighborhood of Las Canitas. We had decided to spend a day in the city prior to our tour, to break journey and explore the mesmerizing Buenos Aires on our own. After a quick check-in, we headed to Campo Bravo, a restaurant in ‘the barrio’ (Spanish for neighborhood) where we enjoyed some local cuisine.
The young Latino hostess, who was bemused at encountering two ‘vegetarianos’ in beef country, took great efforts to help us make a selection. It was our first hour in the city and we could already get a glimpse of the congeniality of the local people.
A sumptuous candle light dinner with a glass of ‘vino’ was a perfect end to a very tiring day.
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.