Tendada/Baobolong Reserve/Kiang West National park
After breakfast on board we board pirogues to explore the Baobolong reserve, we cruise the bolongs (Creeks) as we see so many birds can not report them all but Herrons, Eagles, vultures, Kingfishers are amoung them, we saw a Marsh Mongoose, but the highlight is the Fish Otters who came running to river bank to see us out on the pirogues, was a very cool experience and a great 3 hours!! Then back to ship for lunch. We go ashore in Tendaba and take a swiss army truck ride to Batelling and have a refreshment stop and visit with the villiagers, before setting off on a 5K hike back to Tendaba, along the way we saw over 30 different birds, Rollers, Weavers, Doves and Parrots amoung them and also saw a red Colobus Monkey. Then back to the ship and dinner onboard.
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.