STAFF ROUNDUP
We bid a fond farewell to the reservations manager Connie Schmidt, who moving to Cape Town. A big thank you to Connie for all her input and contributions. Congratulations to Joanne Beatt who is replacing Connie and has been promoted to reservations manager.
FLOOD UPDATE
Everybody is abuzz with the news that the Delta is experiencing the biggest flood in about 20 years. The sight of water running over floodplains that have not had water for many years is something to behold. Big floods are good for the environment because they clean out' the channels that have become silted up and forge new paths through the wilderness. Islands that continually get surrounded by water start to become poisoned by the salts that leach out of the water, resulting in the death of plant life. Changing of the channel courses changes the floodplain patterns, allowing these islands a reprieve to return to normal all part of the delicate balance in this unique ecosystem.
The floodwaters appear to be abating with the level having tapered off slightly at Chief's Camp. Other areas in the concession have however seen an increase in water levels over the last 5 days. The Chobe River is in full flood and looks spectacular, with the entire Caprivi floodplain to the north shimmering at sunset. The cooler temperatures have the advantage of decreasing the numbers of insects, particularly mosquitoes, at night. This makes eating outdoors at night all the more enjoyable.
The floods are generally greater at Stanley's Camp and the latter part of the month has seen rapid inundation of floodplains around the camp area, especially from the East where the Santantadibe channel is flowing strongly.
The water at Stanley's Camp is slowly creeping in across the floodplain and is now clearly visible in front of the pool.
CHIEF'S CAMP
The temperature at Chief's Camp at the beginning of May is averaging a minimum of 9° C at night and a midday temperatures averaging around 27° C.
Wild Dogs provided some excitement at Chief's Camp when they chased an Impala into the water. Wild Dogs will often pursue their quarry into the water and Impala will usually avoid water at all costs. On this occasion however, the Impala proceeded to submerge itself up to its chin whilst the Dogs looked on in frustration. Five White Rhinos have formed a group, called a crash, and are being seen frequently around the Camp.
CHOBE CHILWERO
Morning temperatures have not been as low as Stanley's Camp or Chief's Camp. This is thanks primarily to the Chobe area usually having temperatures about 1 2° C higher than the Delta and the fact that the Lodge is situated on a ridge in a temperature inversion zone. Chobe Chilwero averages a midday high of around 29° C.
The Camp had a record month in April with over 600 guests. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
Guests at Chobe Chilwero saw 11 lions killing a buffalo on the river floodplain on 24 April and Leopard sightings have been better than usual. One young male has been seen in and around the Camp and also sightings on game drives and from the boats have increased. Elephant and buffalo herds are starting to be seen around the river again after a 3 month sojourn into the interior of the Chobe National Park.
3 lionesses were seen killing an Impala right in front of a guide and his guest. 6 lions were also seen killing a buffalo along the tarred road to the airport one morning. This accentuates why this is such a unique area where man and beast appear to co-exist amicably.
As part of Chobe Chilwero's community involvement, the Lodge donated 48 English language dictionaries to the local school. English is after-all the official language of Botswana whereas Setswana is the national language. More and more of the younger generation are becoming fluent in English and we were happy to be able to play a small part.
STANLEY'S CAMP
Stanley's Camp currently has a minimum temperature of 11° C and a maximum of 31° C.
This area is further south than Chief's Camp and therefore, receives its floodwaters later, with the advantage that water is still around later in the year.
Stanley's guests were treated one morning when 2 Wild Dogs popped in for a visit to watch the Hot Air Balloon being inflated before launch. An Aardwolf (small termite-eating hyena) with young was also seen one late afternoon foraging near the airstrip. The termites they eat tend to become active around this time in winter, whereas in summer they only start to move around well after sunset and Aardwolves are therefore, seldom seen. Reedbuck and bushbuck are frequently being sighted just in front of the Boma area.
The balloon activity has been very successful and we have received great feedback. There has been good game viewing, especially herds of buffalo and breeding a herd of Elephants from the air.
We quote a recent guest Glenda Wood: I found the whole experience at Stanley's wonderfully overwhelming in every way. Guides TT and Alles will be my friends in spirit for the rest of my life. I will carry these memories for the rest of my life.
BAINES' CAMP
The Baines' project continues and is definitely taking shape with the opening date of 1 August still a guarantee.
In an effort to make Baines' Camp beneficial to the local environment, Sanctuary Lodges and Camps decided to include aluminium cans into the structure of Baines' Camp. A square metre wooden frame has been designed into which the aluminium cans will be incorporated. A mesh wire and Hessian covering will then cover the frame, which will be covered with a textured plaster. This makes the camp easy to maintain and the overall structure about 70% lighter than a solid wall.
6 local communities that stay in the NG32 area and all the employees that are building the Camp are from the local community. The contract for the supplies of all the thatching grass has also been given to the local community. The initial drive to collect the aluminium cans was done with the NG32 and only then extended to Maun. To date approximately 85 000 have been collected and delivered to the site.
FEATURE STORY
This month's story comes to us courtesy of Mrs. Dianne Tappey:
The next stop was at Chobe Chilwero, a gorgeous lodge resort overlooking the Chobe River and the plains of Namibia on the other side. Ultimate pampering was part of the package and I had my first rock salt and red mud body massage. Wow! Afternoon tea on the lawn overlooking the river was a special treat too. But along with these luxuries came morning and afternoon game drives where a view of the realities of African life became all too apparent when we came upon a freshly killed female impala one morning. Wondering what had killed her, we stopped and watched, thinking lions might be behind the brush. In a few moments, a head rose up from behind the carcass, surveying its surroundings. It was a huge python, close to a foot in diameter around its middle. My driver said he has worked there for nine years and has seen many pythons, but never before had he seen one feeding.
The next stop was a Chief''s Camp in the Okavango Delta. There are tents to sleep in, although the comforts are extensive. There was a regular door, a king-size bed, and a well-appointed bathroom with shower, sink, and toilet.
The driver somehow manages to sniff the air, peer off into the distance, scan the trees, listen to the birds and monkeys, check for tracks on the road, watch the posture for herd animals, and keep the vehicle on course. They are amazing at reading the signs that indicate what is in the surrounding area and where to look for it. My last night at Chief''s Camp, another visitor had a birthday and after dinner, the kitchen staff came out carrying a cake with candles, singing an African welcome song, followed by our Happy Birthday To You. They sang with those rich voices, danced, dipped, trilled, yodeled, and joyously proclaimed another year in the life of that lucky woman. I''ve decided I''m returning for my own lucky proclamation in April of 2006. Life is GOOD!!
The third camp was Stanley''s where I got to take part in the Elephant Experience. This is an opportunity to walk, feel, and interact with three elephants that have been gentled by an extraordinary couple. You have a chance to see the bottoms of their feet, rub their leathery skin, feel the bristles of their tails, and learn about the behavior of elephants in the wild. You can walk down a path with a slobbery trunk layed in the palm of your hand, leading this huge animal like it is a dog on a leash.
Among my life experiences, I can now add that I have been kissed, and goosed, by an elephant! Totally cool. My favorite event there was every evening, as each vehicle returned, we gathered around a crackling bonfire, sitting on camp chairs with a glass of wine and being served little nibbles to whet our appetites. Each of us would share special sights of the day, but often we would fall silent, staring into those rosy flames, mesmerized by the fire, the cobalt sky, the golden crescent moon, and reflections on the astonishing opportunity to be in that incredible place.
Thank you to Mrs. Tappey for the lovely Sanctuary Lodges & Camps tale.
SPACE AVAILABLE
We still have limited room availability at Chobe Chilwero and Chief's Camp in June and July. Take advantage today:
Chobe Chilwero:
6 9 June
16 - 17 June
21 25 June
29 June 2 July
15 18 July
30 July
Chief's Camp:
6 -8 June
14 23 June
3 4 July
If you have any queries, suggestions or would like any further information about our properties, please contact us on the following e-mail address:
southernafrica@sanctuarylodges.com
Sanctuary Lodges