Day 2 was spent at sea, getting adjusted to the rolling boat and enjoying the excitement of each new bird species flying overhead. The zoom lenses were everywhere, with panicky blurry shots in the distance. Ultimately patience won the war and the birds would eventually come quite close to the boat, pause, smile, position appropriately to the sun, wink, and fly off on their journey.
The weather was quite nice. Our crew delivered a couple lectures and we learned the proper procedures for the rest of our journey. Meals were an adventure, especially when the ship was rolling, with people catching each other and learning the art of stable-walking while holding a plate of food and precarious liquid. I'm still not sure how the waitresses did it with trays of wine glasses -- they were SKILLED. The age range of passengers went well into the 70s/80s, including a fellow with Parkinson's, but they were just as agile as the 20-something traveling with his father. I checked my presumptions at the door and was amazed by the adaptability and adventurous spirit of all the passengers.
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.