This story presents sensory experiences through the form of guided imagery. Please feel free to make it come alive by adding your own sound effects and visuals.
Come and sit by my feet - come - come. Today I’m going to take you to a place second to none on earth. This is a place of contrasts: contrasts in colour, contrasts in texture, contrasts in sound, size and experience. It’s pristine, untouched - a secret paradise. It’s noisy and dangerous - a cacophony of sounds and sights. It’s the Okavango delta.
One of the best ways to see the delta’s permanent, sinuous waterways is by mokoro dugout. But choose your poler carefully; you want to make sure he speaks English and knows his way around the delta’s convoluted turns and meanders. You wouldn’t want to get lost and be out in the delta after the sun goes down. You might also ask your poler if you need bring his food for meals as this is sometimes expected of you. Some canned stews or tinned goods will be fine as there are no supermarkets along the way.
Sitting inches from the waterline, thoughts of angry hippos or hungry crocodiles overturning the boat cross your mind, but soon pass away with assurances from your guide and the peacefulness of this pristine environment.
Patterns of gold are created from the reflection of papyrus on the still waters of the narrow channels in early morning and late afternoon. You sometimes pass through channels that often appear to be narrower than the boat itself. Silence is broken only by the ngashi ( boatman’s pole ) penetrating and leaving the water, by the cries of countless birds, and the movement of mostly unseen game along the delta’s banks. Tiny white bell frogs chime to some unknown melody. Sunsets with rosy pink clouds reflected in the waters are too beautiful for words. Life slows to a regenerative pace. This is the relaxed form of adventure and exploration is difficult to match anywhere in the world.
Now close your eyes and I’ll tell you about some of the sights, sounds and creatures you are going to experience along the way. Oh look ! There is a group of four tsessebe wading in the water and “talking”. They talk by making a series of clicking sounds at various pitches. But they are not alone for long. Here come the parents to collect their children and take them home to bed. If the young ones stay at the watering area too long the hippos may come and chase them out. They are very posessive of their water!
Our guide has discovered something interesting for us to see. See that fish eagle high in the sky? If you throw a fish high into the air the fish eagle will dive down and snatch it. There is a multitude of birds in the Okavango delta. Can you see the king-fishers, parrots, jacanas, hornbills - what about the yellow-billed oxpeckers ? The red-billed quelea fly by the thousands in a formation which looks like a great spotted flying ball.
Have you noticed the large number of islands in the river? You will never guess how they were formed. Scientists think that the land masses are remnants of huge termite mounds. Geologists looking for gold sometimes pick through the massive deposits looking for the precious mineral.
It’s getting late and we have to get to camp before dark. Listen! Can you hear the lions roaring ? Hurry poler, hurry! We are on our way to Abu’s camp. This is a wonderful camp set under large shady trees overlooking a lily-padded lagoon. It’s the home of Randall J. Moore and his herd of 14 African elephants. The next leg of our trip is on elephant back. I can not wait to see what we will discover tomorrow.
Commercial break: Lesotho clothing industries. If you’re going into the delta you will need to dress accordingly. Lesotho makes unique and stylish garments that can withstand the rigors of Africa. They are100% cotton and appeal to everyone. Women will be pleased to hear that the clothes have an out-door look with a feminine styling.
Adapted by Gale May, MDHS, Ont. Can. from the book
Nolting, M. Wildlife Africa’s Top Countries - Global Travel Publications,
Florida, 1992