We get up at the crack of dawn, eat a breakfast of toast, jam, scrambled eggs and juice and get on our way. An hour drive brings us to the trail head and we begin what is essentially Day 2 of our trek in the Ecaudor Adventure program. The landscape is from another world. We're at over 12,000 feet above sea level, and wispy clouds cover and uncover bluffs and mountains around us. At one point, we hike about an hour through a boggy basin. What makes the experience almost bizzare is are these clumps of flowers that look like moss. You have to step on them and they squish down nearly six inches when you do. It reminds me of walking on snow, and after an hour, I'm glad we head to dryer ground. We pass two small lakes before overnighting on the shores of third lake. I thought I was camping, but food that night included an herb buttered chicken breast, local potatoes and sauted veggies - and a bottle of wine. Man, was I grateful to the cook for bringing that. As a note, the night got much colder than I thought it would. I suppose the temperature dropped to around 40, but with the humidity, it felt much colder than that. I wore long-johns and a ski hat to bed that night.
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.