16th - Into the Delta!

Getting up early we followed the usual procedures, but instead of packing the truck we carried all resources and day packs down to the boats that would take us into the Delta. We had 3 boats available and soon after we were on our way down the river towards the buffalo fence that surrounds the “main” part of the Delta. This short trip was app. 1½ hours and on our way we got to see several crocodiles and general birdlife.

At our destination we had everyone and everything moved into the small mokoro canoes. They are powered solely by a poler standing in the back pushing the canoe forward, the exact principle as with the gondolas in Venice. The poles were 5-6 meters long, but they rarely used the entire length of the poles. This part of the trip also took a couple of hours, and we soon arrived at our final destination where we set up camp.

Lunch was set up after which we had a couple of hours by ourselves for relaxation before going on our bush walk. Some of this time was spent swimming near the camp, and our guide Jaco showed some amazing tree-climbing skills getting to the top of a nearby tree in an almost inhuman speed.

When leaving for the bush walk we had a short distance by canoes. We weren’t put on the same canoes nor had the same poler, which resulted in us getting a very unstable one. Within minutes we were already feeling it in our legs as we were constantly tense. It wasn’t much better when going back, but at that point we had realized that despite the lack of stability we wouldn’t tip over. On the way to the walk we got to see a hippo and on the way back we had a great view of the sun set.

For the walk we were split into 4 smaller groups going in different directions. On our 2½ hour walk we ended up seeing an elephant (and scull), zebras, wildebeest, antelopes of various kinds and lots of birds. Even if we never got close to any of the animals it was quite an experience looking for wildlife on foot in their own territory.

Back at camp we had dinner and after finishing the meal (including the local polers who were camping with us) the locals gave us a show of some of their many songs. Returning the favour we ended up spending the evening singing/dancing/goofing around, which all in all was a hoot.

Sneaky crocodile.

On our way into the Delta.

Plenty of these birds.

Hippo keeping an eye on us...

Impalas under a tree.

Pied kingfisher.

Zebras. Also keeping an eye on us...

Sunset in the Delta.