Home » Botswana » Jul 24, 2004 Khwai River - Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

“The Night of the Quelea...” Has kind of a ring to it, don’t you think? Like some bad B movie I saw as a kid in the late sixties. (Why do the late sixties seem like another epoch?) Well if this evening’s game drive were to be given any sort of moniker, “Night of the Quelea” would be it; and it’s a far, far cry from any second-rate film seen at some matinee on a summer afternoon when I was ten. Sometimes nature just opens up her arms and reveals something that is beyond imagining, letting you know that all your petty ambitions are of little consequence and most times just silly. Hey, don’t just take it from me, the Africa newbie; both Alwyn and Stanley said they’ve never seen anything like it either, and they do this for a living. Upon returning to camp this evening I made the comment to Nicky what a great writing exercise it would be to describe what we had just seen. Well, I’ve now set the stage and have no choice but to follow through with those words and embark on an exercise that will only prove my inadequacy in such regard. I persevere nonetheless (dragging you all along with me); but not before bringing us up to date on the last two days – a slight reprieve. The reward will be the Night of the Quelea. <br />

Jul 24, 2004 Khwai River - Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Tom Schueneman
2006-03-27 15:39:27

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distance, a familiar site began to take shape. Camp! The women had arrived a few moments ahead of us and were already situating themselves, I found our tent (hereafter referred to as “tent #2”) with my luggage already inside and waiting (we had only taken what we needed for the two nights at the lodge, with a twenty pound weight limit for the flight back.) It’s back to basics; a pit toilet, bucket shower, and dust. But I seemed to notice a little more snap in our step as we all settled into our second camp; more so than at 4th Bridge. Our camp routine was falling into place. Perhaps we’ve become a lean, mean mobile safari machine!

The area where we are camped is usually dry this time of year, the river “disappearing into the sand’ by our extent along the floodplain. However, due to good solid rains during the wet summer season and the unpredictable nature of the Okavango Delta, water is still present here in the Khwai River, mostly in the form of small pools and marshy wetland. The floodplain is lightly wooded with Mopane and Acacia, wild sage and tall grass covers the sandy earth. Our camp is nestled amongst a small grove of trees.

After we settled in, we tucked in – to lunch that is; and then for me, a siesta. Ah, sweet Africa and her siestas! Jayne remained outside expertly manipulating here label-maker-cum-word-processor in an effort to keep her travelogue up to date. Not an easy task out here.

Nicky and Scott had been playing chess on a tiny little chess board with even tinier magnetic chess pieces, so Jayne and I decided to let them use my chess board that has always come along on trips. She then offered to help teach Dan, who didn’t yet know how to play. Starting back at 4th Bridge, Dan had become quite taken with Jayne’s inquisitive questioning of our surroundings, her overall intelligence, and her friendly disposition. Dan’s a pretty bright kid himself. Jayne thinks that Dan is just adorable. ...