This program tells the story of a photo safari in Africa, most of which took place in the Okavango Delta at two bush camps, Moremi Crossing and Pom Pom Camp, and on game drives in Chobe National Park. Both areas are in Botswana.
Part I portrays the activities beginning with my flight from Dulles International Airport, outside Washington, DC, via Dakar, Senegal, for refueling, to Johannesburg, South Africa. I arrived a day early and took advantage of some free time by visiting the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve.
One of the trip's highlights was being able to join two young orphan lions, "Vaartjie" and "Medusa," in their open enclosure of perhaps a half-acre at the Reserve outside Joburg. I overcame my profound love of dogs to join up with these kitties! Of course, I did not utter a word of my preferences to these cats.
I took a test image with my camera to check for correct exposure, and then handed my DSLR camera to Emily, a groundskeeper, in the hopes that I would live to get it back! Fortunately, the two lions, while being playful, were great fun to be with. Emily was a fantastic assistant to South Africa's newest lion tamer!
That night, I joined with Paul Renner, a noted wildlife photographer and leader of our group of ten others, for a welcome dinner at the Southern Sun O. R. Tambo International Airport Hotel. These folks not only proved to be excellent traveling companions, but several in our group were superb photographers. It was to be a great sharing experience.
The next morning, after an early breakfast, our group of photographers boarded a flight from Joburg to Maun, Botswana, as that is the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Next up was a charter flight with Air Moremi aboard a Cessna Caravan with a seating capacity of twelve plus two seats for crew, into the Delta.
We landed at Xaxaba Airfield, as the strip that usually serviced Moremi Crossing, our destination, was flooded. The water levels in the Delta were unusually high during out visit in late May and early June 2011.
Once at Xaxaba, we took a hike of about a half-mile to board one of two boats, the other being solely for our luggage. While cruising through the Delta, the solitude and beauty were magnificent! Then we came upon our first elephant up on the bank.
Welcome to the Delta! ... Welcome to Africa!
Then began the adventure of a lifetime. Part I depicts Days 1-6 of a 17-day epic experience.
47. Welcome to Africa!
“Here Kitty, Kitty!”
The Bad News:
They weren’t sedated!
The Good News: I left with all my body parts!
48. I did not tell them that I’m a
dog person …
Photo Credit:
Emily, a groundskeeper at Rhino & Lion Park, using my camera
Outside Johannesburg, South Africa.
Property Release: E. A. Hern, Owner, Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve – “Vaartjie” & “Medusa”
49. Emily – Chief Assistant to Africa’s Newest Lion Tamer!”
69. “Hike Down the Runway to Our Waiting Boats”
Vaguely Reminiscent of the Walk from the Marco Polo Airport Terminal in Venice, Italy, to the Boat
Dock for My Ride to the Grand Canal …
and I Do Mean ‘Vaguely’!”
76. “In One of the Larger Channels of the Delta’s Waterways”
77. “A Close Call – Walking Tusks!”
This critter was part of the welcoming committee at Moremi Crossing!
Talk about stepping smartly off a trail to give way to the high-heeled “attitude” with tusks moving toward me!
87. “Amos Explaining the Rules of Engagement”
Surprise: No firearms allowed in Moremi Game Reserve! Our guides carried CO2 “bang” pen guns.
… Time to hobble someone!