Note: Click on the picture to enlarge it, and then click the Back button to return to the web page:
Here we are leaving Johannesburg, South Africa where Mary and I met up with John and crew the night before. In the picture left to right is John, Mary, Diane, Allison, Laura at foot of stairs and Kit.
Here we are in Maun, Botswana, the last time we will see any type of civilization such as it was. We had two of these small planes to
carry us to each campsite. Each plane could carry four passengers and we had seven people plus baggage. This was also the last we would see of paved runways/roads,
running water, electricity, and man made structures for a while.
Off to Moremi.
Once we landed in the Moremi game reserve in Botswana, we were met by the Capricorn Safari guides
and taken to our first campsite. Along the way we began to see our first animals. For the game drives, we traveled in two of these 4X4 vehicles with open roof hatches which are built to accommodate the tourists. There are no roads there, only these paths through the plains, some of which
many started out as animal paths.
The accommodations on this safari were mobile tents. Each couple had a 10X10 tent with insect proof
windows & floor, single beds, fresh linens, private verandas and hot water bush-bucket shower/toilet tent attached.. We had a full staff of nine to care for the seven of us. The staff prepared all meals, and provided the hot water in the morning and evening for
cleanup and showers.
On a typical day, we rose before sunrise, had a hot breakfast and was on the game drive by sunup. Each 4X4 went it
own way but we had radio contact between the two. Around 10am we would meet up and have hot tea, cookies and snacks. We would then continue the game drive until about noon.
We would return to camp and have a hot lunch and then spend the early afternoon taking naps, reading or just sitting around the campfire. Around 3pm we would have coffee,
tea, snacks and begin the afternoon game drive. At sunset we would again
meet up and have cocktails, wine, cheese and crackers, etc. We would return to camp, have a hot shower, dinner, cocktails, and finish the day sitting around the campfire talking about the
day's highlights.
We did not have running water, electricity or any other modern day conveniences during these 10 days. There were no toilets so during a game drive, if we had to stop to go, we would walk around behind a termite hill or bushes. This was a interesting time while you're behind the bushes taking care of business, you are looking around a lot for lions, leopards or other hungry animals.
Here we are at a morning break.
One of our game drives. A giraffe can grow as tall as 19 feet and weighs between 1100 and 1900 pounds.
Sitting around the campfire after dinner.
This was our dinner tent, notice the linen napkins and tablecloth. There were 9 people that worked on the safari that was taking care of the 7 of us. The native
women cooked over a open fire and we ate very well, including hot rolls for almost every
meal. (Mary and I came back with a few more pounds then we left with)
This is Mary's and my tent.
This is the toilet
This is the shower. They filled the bucket with warm water anytime we wanted it.
We quickly found out that 5 gallons of water was more than enough to take a leisurely
shower.
Here are our double sinks for morning spruce up.
Here are our beds and night stand. We always had a hot water bottle tucked in
the bed when we went to bed, Mary warmed her feet with it instead of on me for a
change. (Remember, we're roughing it)
Here are the staff's tents, the women is our cook.
Here are a few photos of a days game drive and afternoon break.
THE PICTURE THAT I MISSED: We did spot a cheetah and one small cub one afternoon. Even though we followed them into the field while she was stalking game, we never got close enough to really get a decent picture. I would have loved to have seen her break into a chase for game.
Continue to the next page of Pictures 30 thru 56