Yeah. . . I could have hung out in the hammock on our wonderful lanai all day painting and bird watching. . .but I roused myself to
-Go out at night in the motorized canoe to spotlight for caiman, the local alligators. We saw one HUGE caiman lounging on a sandbar. WOW
-Go on nature hikes through the rain forest in my lodge-provided rubber boots;
-Ride a motorized canoe up river and hop into a kayak to ride back down river with the current, exploring side lagoons;
-Visit an Achuar home for a cultural exchange. He asked ''Where are your husbands and why do they allow two women to travel alone?'' and I asked: ''If you could change one thing that has happened since non-Achuar people came to this part of the Rain Forest, what would it be?''
I had a special experience in the Rain Forest at night during the spotlighting excursion to view caiman. The guides turned off the motor and the spotlight and let the boat drift. The darkness, even in the middle of the river, was so intense I felt I could touch it. And the sound. It is hard to see wildlife in the rain forest, but at night the forest is an orchestra of hundreds of different sounds and voices. I've been on lots of nature night hikes where lights go out for a short while, but never as long as this time. I think we drifted for 30 minutes. I forgot to wonder when the motor would start again and I was totally immersed in the moment when the motor was turned on. To say I was startled is an understatement. For that short time I was in another time and place. I will remember that experience my whole life.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.