Safari schedule is something I hadn't ever experienced before. It is very much organized around two factors:
1) Wildlife is most active in the early morning and in the late afternoon - evening
2) For part of the year, it's hot as hell in the middle of the day
That means that most days are organized as follows:
Up between 5-5:30 AM every day for quick breakfast
First morning game drive at 5:30-6:00 with coffee/snack break in the middle, then back at the lodge around 11:30 AM for lunch
Siesta until around 3:30, then High Tea
Afternoon game drive/activity starting at 4:30 - Sundowners at around 6:30 pm - Arriving back to lodge around 7:30 pm
Dinner at the lodge, then SLEEP!
Siesta is an important component of safaris. That time is taken to cool down in the pool, read a book, take a nap and then another cool dip in the pool or perhaps a shower. It's also used to fly between lodges if you are moving accommodations. The schedule all runs like clockwork.
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.