Day 15-16 - Okavango Delta
Trip Start
Mar 20, 2005
1
66
78
Trip End
Dec 25, 2005
Bush Camping,
Botswana
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Eventually we made it to a tiny island where we met up with our local guides. The rest of our journey would take us deeper into the delta and through some nearly impassible spots. To make the trip we paired up and grabbed a local on a mokoro, a light wooden canoe. These slim, but surprisingly strong guys then poled our boats through the wetlands for nearly two hours. Quite a demonstration of stamina! On the way we saw dozens of birds, hippos and even one lazy alligator!
Although the delta's backdrop was stunning, it was the journey itself that was most memorable. The slow and physical process of weaving through the shallow water beckons one to shed the concerns and comforts of the modern world to slip back into a simpler, timeless place. It was not hard to imagine this same journey taking place for hundreds and hundreds of years. Just a hollowed out log and one long pole. Very simple, but amazingly effective.
The rest of our day was spent exploring our surroundings, swimming in the crystal clear water and watching a gorgeous sunset over the delta. I even had a go at polling my mokoro around - a task that is much more difficult that it looks.
In the evening we gathered around the campfire and passed the time singing and dancing with the locals. It was great fun and quiet humorous at times!
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After a long night's rest filled with the sounds of hippos and lions, we awoke in our bush camp for our final delta activity - a game walk on a large nearby island. We were fortunate enough to see a number of animals on the excursion including impalas, monkeys and one gigantic elephant! This was one of my most enjoyable moments of the trip. It's not everyday one gets to chase around an elephant in the wild on foot. Once again, zoos will never be the same...
