Dispatches from Gudigwa Camp

DAYS 1 AND 2: MARCH 25-26, 2003
Getting There
People   |   Tools   |   Issues

Like most tourists going on safari in Botswana, Lani and I first went to Maun, a city on the Southern edge of the Okavango Delta. Maun is the launch pad for tourists and researchers heading into the bush, and is the only place to stock up on bottled water and snacks. Sharon Safran, who works for CI's Ecotourism Department and is manager of the Gudigwa project, met us at the airport and brought us to CI's office where we met KB, who would drive us overland to the camp.    >> Read the full dispatch from days 1-2

DAYS 3 AND 4: MARCH 27-28, 2003
The Camp's Grand Opening
Activity  |  Species  |  Tools

From the first light of dawn today, it seemed like Gudigwa Camp was running in high gear. The staff was making last minute preparations and straightening out the cabins for the VIP guests attending today's opening ceremony.
A project like Gudigwa doesn't get off the ground without support from the community, government and the public and private sector. Many of these supporters came today to have a look at the final product and to officially open the camp.  
>> Read the full dispatch from days 3-4

DAY 5: MARCH 29, 2003
Elephants and Tourists
Activity  |  People  |  Issues

After hustling to shower and pack up after the bushwalk, we arrived at the airstrip a half an hour late with no plane in sight. We weren't sure if the pilot left us, or wasn't able to land because there were donkeys all over the strip!

While Lets and Zero ran around shooing the donkeys off the runway, we pondered where they might have broken in. The airstrip is surrounded by a fence constructed for the precise purpose of keeping donkeys and horses out of the area. So, where'd these guys come from?  You'll remember that the news from the bush was that elephants had been through camp the night before. They were the likely vandals of the fence.  
>> Read the full dispatch from day 5

DAYS 6 AND 7: MARCH 30-31, 2003
On the Move Again
Species  |  Issues  |  Tools

I didn't sleep a wink last night. Unseen creatures scratched around our cabin, and while I knew they couldn't get in, it still put me on edge.
We rushed around to load up the plane, and were in the air by eight. About half an hour later, we landed to the southwest of Khwai at Santawani wondering if anyone would actually come to get us. Lani and Tico had exchanged emails with our itinerary, but we hadn't been able to tell him that we were going to be a day late - no phones in the bush. As we unloaded our luggage, all we could do was hope that someone would show up to get us. 
>> Read the full dispatch from days 6-7