Today we dropped my dad at the train station so that he could travel to north to Berlin. Then we headed to the Wildpark outside of Schweinfurt. This park is entirely funded by local community donations. It houses deer, elk, moose, wild boar, and various native birds in natural habitats. Among the more interesting exhibits are a completely albino deer and an overlook platform allowing you to look right down on the fierce looking wild boar. They also have a spacious petting zoo and some of the best children's play areas I've ever seen including a 40 foot seesaw that requires at least two adults to get moving. The entire facility is free to enter and has dozens of tree-lined paths winding throughout to allow the local citizens a chance to fit in their daily walks, a mainstay for many Germany people.
Tonight Edith made rouladen for dinner. This traditional Bavarian dish is made from extremely thin cuts of beef. Mustard, pickles, mushrooms, and other fillings are added to the beef and then the beef strips are rolled up and baked with gravy.
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.