After an early morning play in the surf we have breakfast and then drive out to the base of Sierra Negro Volcano. This active volcano last erupted in 2005. In the blazing heat of the equatorial sun, we climb along a trail for about an hour before reaching a viewpoint at the edge of a 4 mile wide caldera, the opening at the top of the volcano (2nd largest in the world). Below is a vast sea of hardened black lava with steam emanating from the various cracks. Our hotel has packed us all hearty snacks so we hang out here for a while enjoying the view and recovering from the uphill climb. After an easier (and cooler as it clouds over) hike down again, we transfer to a local farm where we are served a wonderful lunch with all foods coming from the farm. I can't help wondering if the chickens free range grazing around the farm are looking for one of their lost buddies....Later in the day we try snorkeling again at a local site (off the shore) but the locals are feeling the intense heat as well and the area is packed with people. We end up back at Isabela lodge and Steve and I enjoy happy hour (Caiperinas!) while the kids get some well deserved kobo time.
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.