After a much needed amazing night of sleep in our luxurious king bed, we awoke to our guide Gareth’s friendly knock on the door, implying that it was time for another day of adventure at Kirkman’s Kamp. Gathering our camera equipment and, believe it or not, winter coats and hats, we headed up to the lodge for breakfast. Our butler, Sam, greeted us with a smile and showed us to our seats where we had coffee, juice and biscuits waiting for us. My husband and I each ordered the Eggs Benedict, which may have been the best we’ve ever had, and after quickly eating, we jumped into the safari vehicle for another morning of excitement.
Beautiful Cuisine at our hotel (Emily Steinberg)
Gareth mentioned there was rumors of a lion just a few hundred yards from the lodge this morning and that really got our blood pumping. We were bumping along through the bush to the dry river bed of the Sand River when we heard it: the unmistakable roar of a male lion. As our safari vehicle rushed towards the noise, in the distance we saw two other vehicles headed the same way. Everyone was on a mission to get a glimpse of this majestic beast and for a few minutes we forgot about our freezing fingers and toes as the adrenaline kicked in. Two apprehensive minutes later and there he was. Breath visible in the cold morning air and belly bulging from the morning meal, the last of the big five was walking directly at us. The male lion eyed us up and down as he slowly walked by, mostly without concern, and found way his to a patch of morning sunlight where he could lay down and digest. As we watched him relax after an apparently busy morning, he started letting our bone shaking, guttural roars over and over again. We were told this was him calling for his brother, whom he was planning on investigating a rival male with later that morning.
After we picked our jaws up from the ground, word came over the radio that there was a fresh kill just a mile away: a water buffalo this male lion and his brother had taken down the day before. Gareth didn’t hesitate as he hit the gas and off we were to check out the situation. As we arrived at the kill, we noticed vultures overhead and periodic roars from within the tall grass of the African budge. It turned out there were two female lioness and the rival male lion in question, all sharing the carcass of the water buffalo. Although the smell was a bit gut wrenching, to view big cats such as these coming together without (much) conflict was a sight to see. The original male lion and his brother did eventually arrive but luckily they weren’t too bothered by the rival feeding and everyone got a fair meal.
Lunch that day left our bellies full as ever and we were fortunately able to sneak in a nap before the evening game drive, which is just what we needed after a morning of such excitement. This evening's game drive consisted of a seemingly never-ending herd of water buffalo trotting across the road, multiple herds of zebra (pronounced like “Debra”, as the tracker pointed out that “You don’t say DEEbra do you?”) and a purple and orange sunset that was unmistakable African.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
