Africa 1998
Pat & I took a wildlife tour in Africa – to Botswana and Zimbabwe – August 1-12, 1998. We were with friends Marlies and Bob Stueart and Fran and Jim Neal. Bob had worked with a Boston Travel Agent to make it a wonderful tour. It was expensive but worth it.
We spent a night in Johannesburg, South Africa before going in a small plane to Chitabe, Okavanga Delta Region in Botswanna. It was a well-run private camp operated by a couple from South Africa who owned the concession to operate a camp but not the land.
Chitabe Camp has some of the best game viewing in the Delta. The Chitabe concession is bordered on three sides by the rich Moremi Game Reserve; thrilling predator sightings are common though the game viewing is interestingly varied. Chitabe is a classic tented camp offering a traditional safari with excellent guides.
Our room was on an elevated walkway high above any animals that wandered through the camp. The dining hall was a brief walk away. The elephant picture above was taken from the walkway outside our cottage.
Each day, after an early breakfast, we loaded into the vehicle for an all-day search for animals. We had a midday break with coffee or tea and snacks. We also had a mid-afternoon break with alcoholic drinks and snacks. Our guide was the same for each day and was wonderfully knowledgeable. He made us comfortable in every way imageable. He was able to find many animals for us to see – some of which were very close. We trusted him. For instance, he knew when lions had eaten and were not known to attach you. Every day seemed like a dream that you wished would never end.
One evening we were returning to camp as the sun set in the west. Lo and behold, on the east side of the world, an enormous red thing started to rise. As it rose higher it got smaller. It was the full moon! None of us had ever seen a moon rising. It was beautiful.
One evening, coming back to camp, an elephant charged at our vehicle. Pat & I were in front, and we grabbed each other, thinking this might be the end. The guide said that there were charges and there were mock charges, and this was a mock charge. We noticed that he had his gun at the ready.
Zimbabwe River
Victoria Falls
British conquest began in 1890 with the arrival of Cecil John Rhodes. This marked the beginning of the eighty yearlong colonial rule, which led to the gradual expansion of the white population settling in the region and the development of an economy based on agriculture, mining and later manufacturing. The conquest of Great Zimbabwe was also known as the invasion of Mashonaland.
The country gained official independence as Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980. We stayed in a hotel. It was adequate; however, at one point we lost all electricity. It was reported that the Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe was giving a party and that he needed all the available electricity.
Bungee jumping is an activity that involves a person jumping from a great height while connected to a large elastic cord. The launching pad here was erected on a bridge across a deep ravine. The thrill comes from the free-falling and the rebound. When the person jumps, the cord stretches and the jumper flies upwards again as the cord recoils and continues to oscillate up and down until all the kinetic energy is dissipated.
Jim, with great bravado, said that for $200 he would do that. Pat said, “I have $200”. Jim became very quiet and uttered not a word.
Zimbabwe
Little Makololo
I remember very little about this part of our Africa adventure. It was very primitive; however, checking on it today, it seems to be a very classy place.
