On our final morning, we were informed that the Russians had granted us permission to land at their base. So, for our final disembarkation, we took zodiacs to shore and had about an hour to spend on the Russian base before our walk to the Chilean base to catch our plane.
On the Russian base, there was a giftshop the size of a bathroom where you could go and buy a tshirt or sticker and you could have your passport stamped for a small fee. There was also a tiny church up on the hill that you could visit. Apparently, this tiny church was the entire reason some people went on this trip! It was part of a mission for their church back home!
After the hour, we all met and began the walk across King George Island. There is a gravel road that connects the Russian base and the Chilean base, and it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk it very slowly in all your gear.
Once at the Chilean base, we waited around outside for the plane to land, bringing in the next set of passengers for the ship. Then, we were off. New passengers to one side, departing passengers to the other, we walked along the gravel runway towards the little plane that was painted to look like a penguin. We were given the “all-clear” and loaded into the plane. There were no assigned seats, so you chose where you wanted and settled in.
They served us a light lunch of sandwiches as we took off and watched Antarctica disappear beneath us - a site only a few in the world can say they have ever seen! After making the trip 3 times now by Drake Passage, a two full days at sea each time, it was amazing to be back in Chile in about 2 hours!
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.