Our environment
Camp Okavango is a tranquil place. The water level has been dropping in some areas, especially in already shallow areas, but generally speaking the level is still high which means the fishing is not at its best.
We usually have access to three islands on which we conduct our walking safaris. The water levels are so high that Buffalo Island is half submerged and Mojei Island is fully covered with water! We have created a wooden bridge so we can still cross to Lopis Island so that this wonderful and serene activity can continue.
Temperatures are still wintery but we are now experiencing moderate daytime temperatures, cool evening temperatures and very cold nights.
Sightings and wildlife experiences
The sightings for this month have been fascinating with special and interesting viewings of elephants, hippos, lonely buffalos and warthogs.
Birdlife has been beautiful with the colourful little bee-eaters lining up and posing for the cameras as they displayed their plumage for our astonished guests. This sighting was seen during a walking safari on Lopis Island.
Breeding herds of elephants have been seen on bush walks and our guests and guides were amazed to discover a dead hippo in the water where we usually park our boats prior to a walking safari. This time of year many hippos fight over territories and this poor hippo clearly lost the battle.
Our people
As most of our staff are in camp for three months at a time, we allow them to have family stay from time to time. During July our groundsman Dirang invited his brother Alona to the camp. Alona said he really enjoyed his stay and that it was a dream come true for him so we were happy to be able to welcome him to our camp.
Meanwhile another of our team was celebrating – on 15th July Sikiri turned 62 so we’d like to wish him a very happy birthday.
Staff profile
Full name: Dirang Thabano ‘aka’ Chiko dance Nare.
How did you get your nickname? I am a big fan of the national Under-23 football team, and apparently I look like their coach Chiko dance Nare.
Home village: Born in Zoroga and grew up in Palapye, in the central part of Botswana.
Role: Groundsman; I take care of the grounds, mow the lawn, water plants, prune, take care of the swimming pool and generally make sure that our environment looks its best. I sometimes help out with Mokoros and tracking. Every day is different which makes my job more interesting.
Time spent with Desert & Delta: I was hired in February 2008, and have only worked at Camp Okavango.
Any interesting stories to share? Once I was doing wake up calls and found a hippo on the pathway. It didn’t see me and just continued walking in the same direction that I was going. It made me laugh as I must have looked like my old neighbours on a Sunday afternoon, walking their dog, Scoobydoo!
Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?: Work wise I would like to be one of the camp’s maintenance crew or a poler/guide, which I am working on. And personally I would to have established my own family, have children, a house to call my own and a wife.
Key staff during July
Managers: Erny, Lydia, Kelly and Nelson
Guides: John, Moffat, Robert, Obed and Toffee and team
Special guests
We welcomed seven honeymoon couples, most of whom were Italian. We also had the Nemscoks who were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary - the choir performed especially for them that night with some songs and dancing.
Excerpts from the guest questionnaires
“Everything was superb, we are very pleased with everything, couldn’t ask for more - great! Obed was very informative, we commend the camp for the friendliness of staff, knowledge, additional service. We will recommend this camp to everyone through Trip Advisor”. Dylan & Shirley (USA)
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