African Bush Safari Experience
 The drums were not loud, but gentle and persistent. The sun was just rising and it was time to get up and start a day of wildlife encounters. We all met at the campfire for hot drinks and rusks. I had my camera, binoculars, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen - I was ready. As we walked through the bush we encountered many wonders of nature. A perfectly symmetrical spider web, a delicate birds nest, the mating call of an Impala buck.
By mid morning we were back at camp and devoured the hearty breakfast, which was set out under the trees overlooking the river. It was getting warmer now and everyone retired to their chalet, or found a cool spot under a tree to relax, read a book, have a nap... The drums announced it was lunch time. Light fare and very tasty with fresh-baked bread, interspersed with bush talk. What we saw and heard and what we hoped to see and hear that afternoon. In the late afternoon we're all in open Landrovers, ready for our game drive. Luck is on our side and we spot a pride of lion, watch an elephant uproot a tree to get to those fresh green shoots at the top, encounter a herd of buffalo drinking at the waterhole. We take pictures and enjoy a sundowner to end the day.  The drive back to camp is in the dark, with the spotlight searching for nocturnal animals. First we see only eyes, then we learn to pick out the shapes of owls, porcupine and some buck. The air is crisp and we're glad to get back to camp.
After a warm shower the drums beckon us for dinner. The evening meal is served in the boma around a huge fire and we're telling more wildlife stories. Some are even true. Nobody wants the day to end but happy hearts give in to heavy eyelids. I fall asleep quickly, full of the spirit of the bush and in anticipation of another wonderful, adventurous day.
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Taking the Kids the Africa??? Yes - you can!
 Today I’ll write about the Okavango Delta in Botswana - stunning scenery and a paradise for wildlife - where I recently took my 10 year old daughter on a camping safari. Arriving in Maun, we took a low flight in a small plane into the heart of Moremi Game Reserve. The birds-eye view was spectacular!
Ronald – our guide awaited us in an open safari vehicle and soon we spotted our first Elephants – a family with a little baby, feeding at the side of the road.
On our first game drive we also spotted Lechwe antelope, herds of zebra, grazing peacefully amongst some  giraffe, a black-backed jackal, impala and wildebeest in the shade of an Umbrella Thorntree (Acacia).
At sunset we arrived at the camp – tired and exhilarated. Our cook, Richard and his crew had set up the tents and served a delicious, healthy meal. Soon afterwards we retired to our canvas accommodation, which was kitted out with comfy mattresses on stretchers, covered with crisp sheets and warm duvets. We even had an en-suite bathroom with a flush toilet and bucket shower, attached to the back of our tent.
Early in the morning we were off on another game drive. The grass shimmered with dew and the air was crisp and fresh. Not far from our camp we came across more elephants, many bird species, including fish eagle and saddle-billed stork and then we spotted a group of 7 cheetahs. What a thrill to watch these graceful animals interact with each other.
Later we enjoyed a mokoro ride – a dug-out canoe which glides silently through the maze of waterways that make up the ‘swamps’. The water is crystal clear, walled by tall reeds and dotted with beautiful water lilies. It’s so quiet and peaceful - we felt like we were the only people in the world.
One evening around dusk – we had just finished a scrumptious dinner and were enjoying our desert (carrot cake baked in a bush oven over coals!) – my daughter grabbed my arm and pointed excitedly. A hyena was slinking through our camp! She was so close! And my arm was being squeezed so hard! Ronald, our guide, calmly switched on his flashlight and shone it on the hyena, as she silently walked past the safari vehicle, around our sleeping tent, through the bush and towards the kitchen. Our cook, Richard and his crew were having an animated conversation, which turned off as soon as they noticed the hyena. Shortly after they resumed their talk and laughter – a sign that the animal was gone. Not a word was spoken by anyone during the entire ‘visit’ and the only weapon we had was a flashlight and a calm and knowledgeable guide! Thinking about it later, I was very grateful that the crew kept such a tidy camp – there were no scraps, no garbage to attract wildlife – and the guide’s reaction reassured me that we were absolutely safe.
 On the last day our patience was rewarded with a sighting of 3 lionesses lounging by the side of the road. We watched them for a long time – just mesmerized by these powerful cats. I am unabashedly smitten with the beauty of the scenery and wildlife of the Okavango Delta. Its reputation as the best safari experience is well-deserved.
This safari company’s policy of not mixing families with couples or singles on a trip worked very well for us. We could stop for as long (or as short) as we wanted to observe (or ignore) an animal, bird or landscape. We could go to sleep as early as we wanted to – no-one to keep us awake when we were tired.
The safari company's owner stopped by and joined us for lunch (after 5 hours of hard driving over rough roads from his office!), wanting to find out how we were enjoying the safari, and if there was anything they could do to improve our safari experience.
 I was very impressed with this level of service, which was evident from all the crew as well as the office staff. I had enjoyed my canoe trip with them some years ago and can confidently recommend this outfitter, who also run our Kalahari Migration and Stanley's Safari!
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