We all got up early this morning for a canoe ride to a special place our guide thought would be a good place to see the birds and mammals of the forest. We were gone from camp about two hours. We saw a troop of Red Howler Monkeys, Caiman, Red squirrels and a lot of birds, and this was all before breakfast. After breakfast we took the catamaran out again. (Have you noticed that I haven't mentioned rain?). We were only out a short time before the rains came. One of us paddled and another bailed.
Guillermo couldn't find us because it was raining so hard, you couldn't hear the motor of the canoe. Obviously Guillermo did find us and we did get towed back to camp. When we returned, we had lunch and then it was time to leave and make our way back to the Nativo Lodge. We returned our native guide home and proceeded up (down) the Aguarico river to the Nativo Lodge. It was a very quiet ride. I don't think any of us wanted the adventure to end. When we arrived at the lodge, the steps that we used a couple of days ago were gone. With the rain, the river had risen. We arrived in time for you guessed it.
HAPPY HOUR! We were out of rum and down to our last few drops of Scotch. Our hostess of the camp found a box of wine, which cost all of $2.00. It did taste a little funky, but wine does when it's three years out dated. Well it was our last night in the jungle. We brought a bottle of cheap rum and proceeded to get bombed. Two of us (no names mentioned) had to be escorted to our huts. The walk was very slippery. (Thank goodness for the sober ones in our group. They took good care of us).
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.