Jen and I spend just enough time outside to be able to know our norths and souths, easts and wests by the location of the sun, even at midday. And we have just enough experience to tell what time of day it is, based on the sun. At least in most places….
Hanging out directly at the Equator makes that more difficult. The north side of the mountain is no longer the shaded side. And neither is the south side, for that matter. Mid-day shadows don’t exist like they would at the mid-latitudes. So, fine, if there is no shadow, then its close to noon, sure. But what direction is north? And south?
Then for an extra level of confusion, try to make sense of the sun dial found just up the main trail from the visitor center at Lake Cuicocha. Jen, Sundial at Cuicocha (Kevin Moore)
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.
