Most of this day was lost to heatstroke as well. I woke up at Camp Moremi and rallied myself just enough to get packed and ready to move to Camp Okavango. Camp O is located in the permanently inundated part of the Delta, so it has water year round. It's situated on Nxaragha Island and it's one of the few camps that doesn't offer game drives -- there's just not enough land mass to do so. Guided bush walks, mokoro rides (dugout canoe), fishing and motorized boat safaris are the modus operandi at Camp O. Helicopter Horizons also has a heli stationed here.
In fact, as I was readying myself for the small, hot plane ride from Moremi to Camp O, we pulled up and instead of a Cessna, we saw two helicopters waiting to take us to the next locale.
Landing back in Kasane (Kassi Magruder)
Doors off, lots of ventilation, I felt immediately roused from my half-dead state. We were whisked over the Okavango Delta and gently deposited on Nxaragha Island. We did a quick site inspection of Xukana Island Lodge, where I slept for a few hours more. Finally, around 5 pm, I met up with our group again and took a lovely scenic flight over the Delta. Two flights in one day! Spotting wildlife from above is exhilarating -- and the helicopter pilots are super skilled.
Okavango Delta from above (Kassi Magruder)
After our flight, they deposited us once again in a stunning locale for sundowners: a bar constructed in the middle of a gentle water channel. On a day pushing 100 degrees, I happily jumped into the water, fully clothed. Not yet ready for my usual gin & tonic, I clutched a bottle of water and finally relaxed.
Sundowners in the stream (Kassi Magruder)
We walked the rest of the way from our sundowner location to Camp O. Also recently renovated, Camp O is spectacular. I managed to keep down a quick dinner, but was off to bed super early. I realized I had only one more night in Botswana and was loathe to fly home feeling as terrible as I did the last 24 hours. I was determined to push fluids and treat my body as gently as possible.
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.
