After our eventful start in Botswana we were all looking forward to our stay in the Okovanga Delta. We were taken to the Makoro station to meet our hosts and guides (known locally as Polars), who were going to look after us in the Delta. Our transportation into the Delta were Makoro's, thin, long canoes made from the wood of local trees. The Polar stands at the back using a long wooden pole to push the canoe through the water. As well as steering, the Polars balance the Makoro's which is particularly nerve racking when you feel as though you are going to capsize.
The journey to our designated campsite took us through narrow passages passing tall reeds. The journey was extremely relaxing although some of the Makoro's had a tendancy to leak. This resulted in Hannah having to abandon her Makoro. She travelled in style ontop of a table precariously placed aboard the Makoro carrying the kitchen supplies.
Hannah travelling first class on the kitchen table aboard a Makoro
We arrived at an opening covered by trees on the river bank of the Delta and quickly came to realise that this would be home for the next two days. The campsite was basic with no showers and definitely no running water and electricity. The toilets were non existant and had to be dug on our arrival.
After we had settled into to our new home, the Polars took us to a clearing in the Delta where we could spend the afternoon swimming and playing ball safe from the Hippos and the Crocs. As the evening was drawing closer, the Polas took us for a sunset walk around the open fields of the Delta. We were given a speech on how to handle potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife for example if you are faced with a Lion you should stop still and make yourself look as big as possible. You should under no circumstances turn and run. This was particularly encouraging bearing in mind we had nothing in the way of protection.
After a brief encounter with different species of Antelope and Zebra, we came across the Hippo pool. Needless to say the Hippos weren't best pleased to see us.
The following morning after a nerve racking night wondering which animals may enter our camp, we arose early for our game walk around the Delta. On foot we came across a herd of Elephants, Wildebeast, Zebras, Antelope and various species of birds (including the African Fish Eagle). This was a particuarly exciting experience to encounter such magnificant animals on foot.
A sample of the wildlife in the Delta!
Much to our delight our tour guide baked a birthday cake for our American friend Lauren on the campfire and we passed the afternoon playing party games with the Polars; swapping traditional games that are played in all of our countries. The Polars also taught us how to drive their Makoro's. This was no mean feat, the strength and agility that is needed to drive to Makoro's is incredible.
As the evening drew to a close, the Polars treated us to singing and dancing around the campfire. A song that we all enjoyed and will remember was "Beautiful Delta". An appreciation song to the beautiful Okovanga Delta, the wildlife, Africa as a whole and the arrival of tourists. As a gesture of thanks we attempted to sing to them but as per usual they put us to shame!
The time came to say goodbye to the Polars, the Okovanga Delta and Botswana but not before they kindly showed us around their village.
A house lived in by the Polars. They use empty beer cans to support the house.
