So I haven't written a blog in quite some time, I thought, I had better catch up. Not much has really been happening. A couple weeks ago, we were invited to go on an over night camping safari into the Chobe National Park. Chobezi Mobile Safari's had a couple of people cancel their trip, so some friends of the safari company called and invited us free of charge to go on safari. Since the reservations of the camp site were made, food purchased, and all the other arrangements made, they couldn't let anything go to waste, besides there was another individual guest going on the trip and he needed some company! It started out as a boat cruise up the Chobe river which was nice because we had been wanting to see the more aquatic wildlife from that perspective. I saw lots of hippo, swimming elephant and water birds. After a couple hours on the river, we were picked up by a game drive vehicle and had a nice safari drive up to the camp site. A tasty lunch awaited us and then back out for another game drive. The best part was an elephant carcass out on the flood plain next to the river. It had only been there one day so the vultures and other scavengers were just really starting to congregate and pick at it...We found a great vantage point to view the carcass, opened a bottle of wine with our new friend from Australia and kicked back as the sun was starting to set, waiting to see what creatures would come out to feast on all that flesh.. After the evening drive, another great meal was prepared for us and we worked on some more wine. The next morning we were all woken up real early to do a morning drive, of course we had to stop by the elephant carcass to see the progress and were shocked to see the skull of the elephant completely stripped of all flesh. Dry as a bone, it was.. There were dozens upon dozens of white-backed vultures and a few other rare species of vulture fighting, squawking, and hopping all over the carcass.. It was quite impressive to see that skull so clean within such a very short period of time. We continued on to another part of the Park which we had not been to before. The safari guide took us up to the hills above the river. There was quite a different terrain, more forest like. This is where the elephants seek shelter when it rains. We found a herd of elephants and the driver actually stopped in the middle of them and ummmm it was a little to close for comfort. A few of the youngsters were not to happy we were there. Shaking their heads, flapping their ears, and grumbling some threats at us was quite intimidating. The guide was rather complacent so all was well... A couple elders walked super close to the vehicle, so close I wasn’t really scared, but concerned of what the elephant might do, especially with such a powerful trunk. We went on our way and saw some sable antelope, zebra, and even some ostrich!!! It was quite the fun drive. We went back to the camp for a rest, lunch, and then back out again for yet another drive. We, of course, went back to the elephant carcass to check on progress and there was a engorged lioness. She was just kicking back, guarding her prize as all the vultures and jackal were just waiting their turn to eat some more. After more wine we headed back to camp for some quality conversation around a camp fire with the guides and the dude from Australia. I forgot to mention that being out in the middle of the park with only a thin layer of canvass protecting you from what ever might be walking around your tent at night is quite exciting. Enough to make your bladder strain till morning cause there is no way in hell I was gunna walk outside in the dark to go pee, knowing damn well that there are lion, elephant, buffalo, honey badger, baboon, and hyena, and many other nocturnal dangerous creatures roaming our camp site at night. You can even hear them rummaging through stuff, barely able to see them by moon light. The mornings are fun cause the guides, cooks and other help tell you what was around and seeing the spoor.. Well, seeing is believing. The last morning as we are heading out of the park, there was one last visit to the elephant carcass and as we were heading down, we came across a young male lion. Scruffy and pissed coming from the dead elephant, he didn’t want to be messed with, he wanted his nap in private. We followed him briefly, wow, as he crossed the road behind us, he made some noise and a kinda sorta false charge. Well, he was close enough to make my heart skip a beat. That was scary... SO RAD.... As he went on his way, so did we... What a great weekend... For free.
Other than that weekend, not much else has been going on. I have had a couple other day trips into the park with my friend Lyn, who does the campsite evaluations. That is always fun and I get to see so much every time.
Lately, I have been helping in the office entering data from a survey/questionnaire Wetlands study. Wow, now I can really go off on so many things. But, mostly it has been yet another eye opener to the local resident vs. wild animal conflict. As I read opinions from locals about the fishing, crop farming, and ranching issues, it is quite disturbing to read the resolutions that people have for the wildlife. Also, I have been reading what the locals consider to be a threat and their mitigations to the fish population, river, riparian, and flood plain. If you want to know more, just ask in person... I could type forever and more than likely offend or piss someone off.
And finally plans have changed. I have decided to come home early. My original plan was to stay here in Botswana for an entire year. But, I have decided to leave at the six month mark. My flame has been relit, recharged, and my head has been filled with ideas of possibly what is to come next. I do think that I am going to steer my passions back into the animal/wildlife industry. I am not sure what is to come next. I am gunna put myself out there and see where my feet take me.
I do know I need a couple days on the beach in Santa Cruz, drinking some cold ones and chattin’ with the old man. But, then I will be heading back to Portland to see where life takes me.
Africa has been incredible, thrilling, and an eye opening experience. This was something I truly needed and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. It truly makes me rethink about life in the United States.
Yesterday I was able to spend one last day in the Chobe National Park. Quite exciting as always, even starting out having to walk to the main road in the darkness of morning before sun rise. Not knowing what is around me, maybe wanting to eat me... Then just being in that park is so incredible.
Got a couple more days left in the office, til the end of the week. Then it will be time to pack it all up. Gunna spend a couple days in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. I can't wait to see the falls in the wet season. Seeing it in the dry season was incredible, now with a billion times more water. I can only imagine.
Then flying out of Zim on Wednesday the 25th and back on US soil on the 26th.
See you all soon
Jason
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