The ManateeThe next five days are spent cruising the Napo, visiting indigenous settlements along the river. Taking canoe excursions up tributaries, and walks through the rain forest. At one stop, our guide Ernesto informs us that we're going to go swimming in Piranha Lake. OK, sure, we'll do that. Now Ernesto is a fairly big guy, so I decide to let him go in first. If the piranhas don't attack him first, I'm thinking we should be ok. Ernesto dives in and starts swimming around. After five minutes he's still in one piece so in I go. The water is a tea color from the run-off and the temperature is just about perfect. About an hour later it's time to get back in our canoe and head back to the Manatee and another great meal. By the way, the food on board was great, I'm very pleased. I'm definitely recommending this boat to my friends.
(Photo 5: Here is a shot of Ernesto diving into the piranha-infested waters - good luck Ernesto.)
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.
