When we drove through the double layers of twenty foot tall fence when entering the Okonjima Camp in central Namibia, the first question was if the fence’s intent is to keep animals in or out. Our guide was quick to say, “Out”. The Okonjima Camp works in conjunction with the Africat Foundation that accepts injured cats (the big ones - cheetahs, lions, and leopards) or ones that have been a nuisance to farmers or ranchers. So there was no shortage of cats, and our first indication of how close we were was that first night when we heard growls from our cabins. How high was that fence? I hope nobody left the gate open. . .
The next day of our Africa trip started with an excursion out of fences and the protected zone to track a female leopard and her cub the the guides had seen the previous day, and we were delighted to find them very quickly. We watched the cub in training, hurrying away into the bush and then stalking back for a sneak attack to pounce on mom. The mother leopard was aware of our presence but was at ease since our safari jeep was a healthy distance, and we sat for 45 minutes watching the sweet interactions between mother and cub.
Later in the day, the guide said we would go on a walking safari to find some cheetahs. Everything we were told before about staying in the vehicle and not leaving the fenced confines of the camp were put aside. We were going to go for a hike to find cheetahs. Not predatory for humans, it is safer to approach cheetahs, keeping a distance, and our guide got out his antenna and earphones to listen on the leopards’ radio collar frequency to see if any were in the area. No leopards, no problems. Let’s go look for cheetahs. Our guides’ tracking skills were phenomenal, and our attention was diverted from cheetahs to. . . giraffes! Not just one, but a mother and its baby (Calf? Colt? Cub?) The baby was still 15 feet tall.
We finally got back to our mission to find cheetahs, and we found them. Well, I didn’t. Our guide found them somehow lounging in the shade among some grass, camouflaged from our untrained eyes. But they did come into focus, and it was incredible to be so close. 25 meters felt really close. The cheetahs didn’t pay too much attention to us and just lounged. After some time, they stood up on their long legs with their long tail swinging behind them and just strolled off. No cheetah-fast, breakneck speed, but a silent stalk into the bushes.
So we saw the smaller feline cousins so far during this African safari, and a few days later while in northern Namibia in Damaraland, we saw lions. Up close, feeding on kills, and hunting. It was thrilling to watch these social creatures work together to hunt an oryx. Not quite the whole family as the males lounged in the shade, but the mother had cornered an oryx, biting or scratching the hind quarters to wound the animal, and created a teaching moment for her cubs. The cubs were crouched on one side of the prey with the mom on the other side, and the cubs would take turns stalking and attacking the animal. As beginners against an animal with very sharp antlers, the cubs retreated quickly and took turns. The oryx would see an opening to get away and start trotting, and the mother lion would just stand up, just enough to make the oryx stop again. After about 20 minutes of this lesson, the oryx finally decided to make a run for it. The male lions were obliged to actually move, and the whole pride walked at a slower speed than the oryx was running. When we asked if the oryx would make it, our guide just shook his head. The lions will not lose the scent or lose this opportunity.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.