END OF 2009 SEASON
It is that time of year again - the last safari
is over, the equipment stored away and the
vehicles serviced and ready for next year.
Some staff have been released to pursue their
home issues and will rejoin us in due course.
Two have been retained to assist with other
projects during the off-season. If any sudden
safari request were accepted we can be ready
at short notice.
2009 was a relatively poor year, due to floods
and the world recession - business was down
compared to the 2008 season. However, the prospects
for 2010 look much better and we all hope the
world economy will have recovered by then.
There are changes in the Parks and fees have
been raised. Our industry strives to consult
with the authorities and make them aware of
our needs for more game-viewing areas, more
sites, a more uniform reservation system, etc..
The fact is that our Parks are getting crowded
and one has to book sites well in advance.
Looking back over the season, there were various
highlights but one that springs to mind immediately
is the sight of around 300 buffalo grazing
across the plain at Third Bridge in late afternoon
light. To drive through them slowly, stopping
to watch them graze a few metres away and then
have them around the camp that night was a
treat. Early the next morning they were gone
but the lions came looking and we were able
to call some of them right to the camp.
About three weeks ago Lloyd was woken by two
loud slaps against his tent in the dead of
night. Sitting up immediately, he couldn't
hear anything but felt something pressing against
his pillow. Grabbing a flashlight, he opened
the zip and stepped cautiously outside to find
a leopard trying to pull his bedroll out of
the tent. Must have been snoring . The Leopard
was very thin and had some bad bite wounds
from a fight. Things that go bump in the night!
Sometimes adventure comes looking for you.
Lloyd's last assignment was to be filmed by
a French camera crew making a documentary on
the Okavango River. He had the pleasure of
showing them his beloved Okavango from the
air too and enjoyed the folklore of Lesiela,
one of the last pure-bred River Bushmen or
Xanikwe, for whom he translated.
Lloyd's Samochima Project is
slowly gathering momentum and will begin an
EIA exercise in the new year as part of the
approval and certification process. Towards the end of 2010 it is
hoped that the approvals will be completed
and construction on a new lodge will have started.
He has a prime site on Samochima Lagoon and
hopes to turn this into a fully operational
lodge as soon as he can. This pristine
forest is the home to the Pel's Fishing Owl
- seldom seen and greatly sought after by enthusiastic
bird watchers. Bushbuck hide in the thick
undergrowth and genets, hippo, sitatunga, otters
and so much more make this ideal habitat their
haunt, feeling safe under the canopy of the tall
trees of this age old forest.
Our rains finally came and though the skies
have cleared again it is hoped they will return
shortly. Already the cicadas are out, the mopanis
are green and the promise of summer is
upon us.
Here's wishing you and yours all the very
best for the festive season, that 2010 will
be a year of prosperity and peace.
With love,
Lloyd & Daphne
