This morning we wake just as the boat arrives to Red Bluff inlet. As we come into the narrow passageway, we see a bear on shore hanging around our activities today are either a shot kayak or a dib boat ride, or a long kayak into the back of the cove. We opt again for the long kayak and set off in our same group, plus a few (after our great luck with wildlife spotting, I think some people decided to join us). We paddle for a ways along the shore, being quiet so we don’t scare a bear if we encounter one. The sides of this canyon are steep and gorgeous with many waterfalls bringing melted snow down. We paddle up close at the foot of a large waterfall. You are so close you can feel the spray on you’re face. Net we approach the rear and spot one large brown bear hanging out along the shoreline. We paddle up as close as we can (you can’t get too close as bears are very good swimmers) and stop for about ten minutes to watch him. There we spot another brown bear off to the left, crossing the stream. It is so amazing to see wildlife like this in its natural habitat. So pristine and surreal on the paddle back a seal pops its head up to say hi. After 2.5 hours we return to the boat.
After returning to the boat, we spend the afternoon just relaxing and watching for whales off the bow as the ship motors south. We spot some about 100 ft from the main vessel and get some amazing whale tale shots and videos. This evening they did a small presentation about how the boat mechanically works and what some of the holds look like. And then had a movie night in the lounge after dinner.
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.