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Safari of a different kind...


Game Warden

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Have you ever spotted wild horses on safari? Well I was lucky enough to have this rare sighting all to myself, a stallion and mare from the depths of Botswana...

 

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I would assume horses aren't high on the list of expected sightings, unless they are the black and white striped kind and begin with Z so it was indeed a nice surprise to observe both John Sobey and Riana Fourie from African Horseback Safaris, www.africanhorseback.com in such close proximity. It's amazing to see how comfortable they are in the presence of wild dogs and other predators: mine own excitement at spotting something so unexpected on safari had to be "reined in..." And look at those smiles. Amazing what a sugarlump or two can do...

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Taking a break from the strains of hours on foot, I decided to rest up at the World Travel Market Africa Press launch. (For more details see the website here - www.wtmafrica.com). With my press card scanned I took my seat in a packed room and saw a number of other safari goers who had the same idea as me, escaping the heat in the shade and resting their wearied legs. Despite many others, the three speakers representing WTM pointed me out, noting the trademark swatches of red from We are Africa upon my cheek. It caused some good natured banter between us, perhaps they thought I was from the other show, it was just one more thing which made me stand out amongst the crowd after the pith and beard...

 

Following the presentation, when it came to invited questions from the audience, of course, my hand went up and I sensed maybe nervousness in the panel wondering what my question would be. However, of course, representing Safaritalk interests, I talked responsible and sustainable tourism and conservation issues all of which will be catered for in the new show.

 

Another chap on a walking safari, (on his own without a guide which I wouldn't advise in the undergrowth of the World Travel Market), was Safaritalk member @@Soukous. First to recognise me, I initially had no idea who he was but following the secret hand signals and trouser raise which sets Safaritalkers apart from the masses, we joined forces for a sundowner and quality safaritalk before he left me for the less bearded fellows from Encounter Mara, (more of which later...).

 

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An animal whose habits I'd first observed a few years ago, his territory covers a large range and he can be found migrating to the the boundaries of this concession on an annual basis. Seemingly a creature of solitary habits, his loud laughing call resonates throughout the forest like a hyena's chuckle in the night. Now fluent in his efforts to communicate we share his experiences of the lost culture of Tri - pad - vis - or.

 

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The blue fronted Clint Gielink of Okavango Expeditions, www.okavangoexpeditions.com attracted a steady stream of safaristas keen to communicate themselves about self driving in Botswana and thus I left him in peace although had further sightings throughout the three days...

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Fabulous, loving every minute of this exquisite safari experience.

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Morkel Erasmus

Loving this. LOL great take on this "safari", Matt! :D

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I wondered at the folly of booking such a safari in the wet season as surely concentrations of wildlife would be dispersed and there would not be the density of game around the mosquito infested river known colloquially as the Thames. Indeed as the light faded many of the so called hard care safaristas could be seen leaving this particular walking area and heading off for their plunge pools and 5 star dinner menus, but I had a sneaking suspicion, based on prior research that there would still be a range of interesting sightings to be made. And thus, guiding myself, (having learnt so much from reading all the Safaritalk trip reports), I made for a particular location, unknown to many in which nocturnal sightings we guaranteed.

 

This was to prove beneficial to me - the SATOA networking dinner, www.satoa.com saw a number of different species migrating from their usual home ranges to this one specific water hole where, safe from poachers and predators they were able to mingle, drink and eat and thus proved not to be shy but completely relaxed in my company. I don't like the idea of an artificially lit water hole, nor one which is pumped but in this instance the lighting and liquids did not affect their behaviour. Well, perhaps the pumped liquids did, but not at first.

 

I stayed on the fringes somewhat concealed in the undergrowth but was so close did not require binos. The presence of rhino could be felt, even if not seen, (for the evening's beneficiary was Save the Rhino International, www.savetherhino.org). A couple of interested guides shared my viewing position and much talk was of Zimbabwe's potential and the increase in visitor numbers to all the parks and reserves most notably Mana Pools.

 

To be honest there are times on Safari when you just don't want to be glued to the back of a camera and just absorb the ambient sound of the night, breath in the smells and wonderful aromas came as dinner was served, a buffet curry with a number of different dishes and red wine and thus, as it got darker and later, despite the continuing number of quality sightings and G&Ts available, I took one last look before the long transfer back to my lodge. But overall day 1 of the safari had been a positive experience, though somewhat tiring and blister inducing...

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Next morning was much of the same. Except with more rain and very noisy overlanders on the game drive vehicle conducting the transfer into the centre of the concession. Next year I will have to think about fly camping closer to the water hole... Another excellent bush breakfast in the company of various guides preparing for the day with Safari clientele. No sight of the dreaded porridge pot, just hot coffee and tea, sausages, bacon, poached eggs, toast etc.

 

It was an important morning as I'd really be in the thick of things at the World Responsible Tourism Awards, www.responsibletravel.com/awards. I had previously arranged to meet two other travellers and conduct this part of the safari together to avoid paying a single supplement. The first, who is still searching for reliable leopard sightings decided to dress in an unconventional manner for a foot safari: he'd obviously not read the most important Safaritalk topics about what to wear on Safari so I lent him the ST pith to keep the sun from his eyes...

 

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You'll know this first timer better as @@PersonalPangea, (Alex Walters), from Great Plains Conservation, www.greatplainsconservation.com full of witty banter and a skilled bush raconteur - therefore good fun to have accompanying you on safari. Great Plains were nominated for "Best for Responsible Wildlife Experiences" and we'll see what happened a little later on in the report.

 

Having trekked all the way from the Masai Mara, Sean Anderson also joined us to complete a spirited trio of adventurers. Sean is MD of Encounter Mara, (@@Encounter Mara), www.encountermara.com and had partaken of the bush breakfast with me earlier: he was keen to get the morning's trek underway. Sean was representing the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, www.maranaboisho.com which had been nominated in the "Best Destination for Responsible Tourism" category.

 

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I think he found these early starts somewhat chilly and was also in awe of the Safaritalk pith which he wrestled from Alex in order to have his picture taken...

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PersonalPangea

Clearly embarrassed to be wearing a sharp suit!

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Quite a safari @@Game Warden, keep it coming.

You'll be escorting tour groups next year

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Before the awards ceremony itself, BBC HardTalk presenter Stephen Sackur hosted a round table discussion on carbon footprints in high end tourism - the panel comprised of Gerald Lawless, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah Group, Johan Lundgren, Deputy Chief Executive, TUI Travel PLC and Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism in the Cabinet of South Africa.

In a well presented and moderated discussion with some searching questions from Sackur in his usual HardTalk style, the panelists discussed the issues but to be honest, as a layman in the industry and not privy to all the various legislations and regulations, a lot of it sounded like green washing to me: and Stephen Sackur picked Gerald Lawless up on the point of sustainable water use, what does it matter if you have little badges saying not to change the towels or sheets when you have a huge golf course on the hotel grounds which sucks up unsustainable amounts of water to keep the fairways green.

 

So when Sackur opened the debate up to the floor and invited questions of course my hand went up, and as the last question to be asked, standing with the spotlight upon me, (and perhaps @@PersonalPangea and Sean dreading what I was going to ask), I basically said that what they were saying really sounded like a lot of greenwashing and so how could they engage the sceptical consumer audience and not only show them but prove to them their commitment to cutting the carbon footprint of high end tourism... you'll have to ask Alex if he was impressed but I think that it made the panel think and it drove some good discussion - exactly the kind of thing that ST represents. It certainly made the audience and panel look at me in a different light, if only to look at the beard and nothing else...

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Alas for Great Plains Conservation they did not win their category and neither did the Mara Naboisho Conservancy though were highly commended. In all some very worth winners and full more details of the nominees, winners and event itself click here.

 

So, it was back to safari: one can only watch so much wildlife from a comfy chair on the deck and following a few handshakes, mingling and beard appreciation it was back on with the gaiters and back out into the wilderness.

 

First sighting proved to be another of the Encounter Mara pride: the young Simba, Chris Tinkler. One did not have to worry about approaching too close for after eating breakfast he'd take to the shade of the Kamili Safaris stand and proved an easy lion to photograph. Chris has migrated to the Mara from a long guiding background in various savannahs and hopes to encounter many more Safaritalkers in the Mara soon...

 

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It proved to be a tiring hike from Kenya to Namibia and wiping the sweat from my brow, the sun beating down upon the antique pith and I had to stop of en route to dunk it in water to cool my head. (Not to mention a quick beer...) I was worried that 60 years of patina would run into my hair into my beard but to be honest, it was such a mess I doubt it would have made any difference.

 

In front of towering sand dunes and gushing waterfall was an oasis of calm and reclining at peace was this desert-rose with the classification of Leanne Gosford - an endemic flowering species from the Namibia Tourist Board - www.namibiatourism.com.na. I contented myself with taking a photograph rather than picking this flower and placing it within the pages of book to dry - I'm sure I made the right decision.

 

 

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It was not long before others stopped by to admire the flora of Namibia and so I bade farewell, took one last lingering look over my shoulder but she was gone. Was she real or had she been just some shimmering desert mirage in my memory?

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Not losing my enthusiasm for this trip report at all. Some very special and rare sightings indeed.

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Brilliant report, Matt. Magnificent work!

 

But.....

 

In front of towering sand dunes and gushing waterfall was an oasis of calm and reclining at peace was this desert-rose with the classification of Leanne Gosford - an endemic flowering species from the Namibia Tourist Board - www.namibiatourism.com.na. I contented myself with taking a photograph rather than picking this flower and placing it within the pages of book to dry - I'm sure I made the right decision.

 

This is both brilliant and decidely creepy! :P

 

(And yes, you better not let your wife see it...)

Edited by Game Warden
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It was not long before others stopped by to admire the flora of Namibia and so I bade farewell, took one last lingering look over my shoulder but she was gone. Was she real or had she been just some shimmering desert mirage in my memory

 

GW gone poetic.

 

i'm taking a break from work for a most enjoyable read!

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When looking on the map, Namibia and Botswana, South Africa, they are all together in the triangle at the bottom of Africa, obviously vast in size and it's as they were at the WTM and one was able to stride across country borders without using up too much of the energy stored from the breakfast calorie intake.

 

And my journey through Bots was not only an adventure in wild spaces but through time as well when I met the wonderful Kate Holmes of Motswiri Camp, www.rawbotswana.com.

 

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Kate is from one of the pioneering Botswana safari families and of course with my penchant for all things historical when it comes to Africa she took me on an exciting and revealing guided tour of how tourism in Bots began with the story of legendary crocodile hunter, Bobby Wilmot, his son, Lloyd Wilmot and her husband, Grant Truthe. Oh how wonderful safaris were when they first started in Botswana, circling in an old propellor aircraft scanning for a level piece of ground just long enough to land upon. Setting up fly camp for a few days before packing everything away and taking off again. Kate's enthusiasm for her family's history and sharing mine for the authentic and original safari experience meant a long discourse punctured with laughter and many archive photos. She made me teary eye nostalgic for the good old days, despite never personally experiencing those good old days, young but bearded whippersnapper that I am. Perching the pith atop her head was akin to intertwining various histories together...

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I wondered what she was doing after her divorce from Tom Cruise

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Very clever. I hope all of these "sightings" are sent a link so they can see themselves with pith. I suppose asking the various vendors at the show to pose with a pith is a great ice breaker and conversation starter. The pith could replace the pineapple as the international welcome symbol. All thanks to Safaritalk's Game Warden.

 

You've taken the trip report to soaring new levels of brilliance, humor (and as @@pault notes) creepiness Matt!

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Not sure about the creepiness: it's just that I've pressed flowers with my kids and its something people think to do with flowers: pick them so no one else can enjoy them. (Hence I never pick wild flowers anymore just appreciate them in place and leave them for someone else to look at and enjoy. Should I take that particular post down? It'll be just great that they'll see the report and read your comments... thanks. There was no intention to be creepy, perhaps it's the fault of the reader...)

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I'd taken a long drifting mokoro trip during which I'd seen many different bird species, the gentle lapping of the water against the hull lulling me into a restful sleep from which I awoke bumping into the landing stage of Nxamaseri Island Lodge - www.nxamaseri.com. I spent a restful afternoon fly fishing for Tigers in the company of Sophie Maynard who has landed herself not only some great fish but a great job at the lodge. She certainly out-fished me and was better at spotting all kinds of birdlife than I. Not surprising when you realise I'd left my binoculars at home and am not the best twitcher on Safaritalk... although we did catch a fantastic Fish Eagle sighting to rival @@Rainbirder's famous photographic series :)


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An hour or two of fishing was a different pace from the rest of my safari and it was exactly the break I needed. Great company, a chance to breathe and just appreciate my surroundings. It did not bother me I caught nothing other than a very nice smile from Sophie but I think she was laughing at the beard and pith. Well, I got my own back by placing it atop her head but as with everyone else on this trip, she looked so much better in it than I do...

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Lol!!!

 

You certainly experienced some diverse wildlife Bro; but it would seem that it was "Botts" that really caught your eye!

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Not sure about the creepiness: it's just that I've pressed flowers with my kids and its something people think to do with flowers: pick them so no one else can enjoy them. (Hence I never pick wild flowers anymore just appreciate them in place and leave them for someone else to look at and enjoy. Should I take that particular post down? It'll be just great that they'll see the report and read your comments... thanks. There was no intention to be creepy, perhaps it's the fault of the reader...)

Leave that post, but remove any of my comments/posts that mention creepy if you wish. Looking forward to your remaining adventures and pith shots.

Edited by Atravelynn
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I had washed the tribal colour swatches from my cheek, those stripes that identified me as being a part of the We are Africa tribe: it had aroused some good humoured banter the previous day and just a few questions from people who weren't in the know. And so with those stripes not long gone and not forgotten with trusty machete in hand I hacked my way through the undergrowth to meet Kate Shepherd, head guide for the WTM Africa expedition - www.wtmafrica.com.

 

(This is a new show which will dovetail into the already established Africa Travel Week in Cape Town, www.africatravelweek.com thus you can understand the good natured banter the day before when I attended the press briefing with the stripes...)

 

There were of course a number of safaris already being prepared for this newly gazetted Cape Town reserve and it was not long before your's truly had old maps upon table and with Kate was plotting the most appropriate tracks to take. Of course I'd have to be relying upon the services of a bush pilot and plane with its limited baggage allowance but as long as there was room for the pith, a @@tonypark novel and one of @@Atravelynn's bug suits I'd be set to go. What was important is a focus upon sustainable and responsible tourism, conservation and round the WTM Africa campfire we discussed said issues whilst sipping upon Amarula over ice... and so with a promise of further trip planning and expedition logistics to come, I left her with the maps and compasses, some old Safaritalk memorabilia and bade her adieu until May...

 

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But by now the pith had become a talking point in the Africa hall and Kate was keen to be seen in it. My question is the same for Kate as it has been for everyone else: the old KAR pith suits them so much better than it does me. Why? I think @@A&MA&M might have the answer...

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I think it looks great on the ladies ,all ladies ,but GW ,it is that fluff around the kisser my china :D

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