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Published: August 25th 2010
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The adage, ‘there is no place like home’ could not have been more apt than after almost a year and half overseas but what would be an even more apt expression for my return would be ‘there is no place like Africa!’
A long flight home, a brief stopover in Jo’burg to see some of my lovely family and it was once again back to ORT to catch my last flight, for a while, to the land of more family, food and lots and lots of R & R! My excitement was truly too much too contain.
I landed in Maun just after lunch time on the 22nd of December just in time for Christmas and I was expecting to be picked up and ushered, by a random, onto a Cessna on rout to see mom and dad but to my surprise and delight there in the waiting hall was no random to welcome me with an obscure hand written sign but rather my folks eagerly awaiting my arrival and on hand to personally escort me to their home, it was just the most wonderful second welcome home!
With much banta and glee the bunch of us boarded
the little six seater filled to the hilt with luggage and more and it was onwards and upwards over the slowly flooding delta bound for Jao Island for a couple of weeks.
On landing we were greeted by the sight of the not so reliable 2 seater white Kaloi who’s temperature gauge after not 10 minutes of our 50 minutes soft sand manoeuvrings had us mildly concerned that we may not make it back to camp in time. My butt was also concerned at the state of affairs since I found myself bobbing around and hanging on for dear life while I attempted to keep myself glued to the middle consol since the White Kaloi was not designed to transport three! Thankfully a little bush engineering gave us the gears to make it into camp just in time to savour a magnificent sunset over Kwetsani plain, there really is no place like Africa!
As if sun set wasn’t enough the sight of a star studded sky where the milky way bleeds an indeclinable mark across the night sky was a sight that made me really realise just another of the many treats that make our land so special!
After a festive night of dancing, eating and camaraderie with the other guests it was time to call it a night and head to bed and begin my attempt to right my now very confused internal clock. It is safe to say that for the first four days I just simply couldn’t bring myself to make the trip out on the back of the Landy to go game driving, it was rather more crucial that I catch up with my folks and allow myself the opportunity to finally sit tight and do sweat little while in the comfort of the most magnificent surrounds!
A solid few days of rest meant it was finally time to really spoil my senses and wake up with the sparrows to get my fill of the Okavango inhabitants and all I can say is their appearances didn’t disappoint and the varying picturesque landscape presented themselves like a living painting.
My stay at Kwetsani can only be described as incredible and it crowned my welcome home! I was spoiled with incredible game sightings from Elephants and buffalo to lions and Leopards. I got to cruise the skies in a chopper, I was treated
to traditional dancing and delectable food and all this topped off with family!
My time in the delta was more than wonderful but invariably had to come to an end at some point, namely New Year ’s Day. A mad rush to beat the rain and before I knew it I was in the cockpit playing pseudo co-pilot on the cargo plane bound for Maun and in hot pursuit of a New Years razzle to remember!
Much punch, much music and a whole bunch of fun later the 1st of January struck, only to present itself as a lazy day of sun soaking and river wallowing before ending off at the stunning river side lodge marking the perfect conclusion to an absolutely spectacular Okavango visit!
The opulence of the Okavango is something that is indescribable and an experience that I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy as some stage!
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