I said before that our transport was getting smaller so when a helicopter turned up to take us to the next camp, why was I surprised. The pilot was a Kiwi called Kane who was only 23 years old. I must be getting old! He was a lovely young man and we had a great chat via our headphones on our 15 minute ride to our next camp, Okuti.
We were met by our lovely young guide Bonno, who turned out to be exceptional. His knowledge of the animals, the flora and fauna and the love for his country and his culture were second to none.
As you can see below, we got some beautiful views of the Okavango Delta from the helicopter.
Okuti draws its influence from the Maunachira River which flows in front of the camp. With its abundant birdlife, fish, and sandy river banks, it remains an oasis of serenity and peacefulness. Okuti is situated in the wilderness of one of Botswana’s prime game viewing regions, Moremi Game Reserve. Okuti’s spacious, curved Masasas are located on raised teak decks with river views. Okuti comprises of five very spacious twin and double-bedded Masasas (ancient tribal word for “house of reeds”). Exceptionally unique in style and architecture, all rooms overlook the permanent Maunachira channel. Each includes an en-suite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, hot and cold running water, and a flush toilet.
Moremi Game Reserve, named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, was established in 1963 but has a history of exploration and adventure going back more than a hundred years. The area has always been a favorite hunting ground and photographic destination for adventurous travelers. It covers about 5,000 km2, encompassing about a quarter of the Okavango Delta, one of the world’s largest inland deltas.
The northeast portion borders the Chobe National Park and the Khwai river. The prominent mainland of Chiefs Island and its drier habitats, along with multiple lagoons, create an incredibly diverse ecosystem of riverine woodlands, acacia thickets, grasslands, dry pans, palm fringed islands, and hippo-filled waterways, that provide great game-viewing possibilities. The area offers all-round exceptional game viewing.
It was very dry and everyone is waiting for the rains to come. We encountered a pride of lions and were able to sit in our jeep watching the cubs playing around and harassing their mummas while we sipped on our G & Ts!! Again all up so close to us in the jeep. It’s memorising.
Bonno showed us how to clean our teeth with a blue bush. He is 28 years old and has the whitest cleanest teeth you have ever seen and he has never used a toothbrush or toothpaste. His grandfather was the traditional doctor in his village and he gave us many traditional cures for various ailments.
And then of course we saw the regulars!! Impalas, waterbucks, elephants and hippos. Bonno spotted a wild cat sitting in the opening of a trunk but it’s a nocturnal animal and we could only see its eyes. The cat appears to be about the size of a domestic cat.
After morning coffee in the bush we headed back to camp for lunch and a rest, and then we set off late afternoon for a boat ride. Bonno taught us how to make a necklace from a lily and the stalk and how to make a hat from the lily pad. Tradition has it that when you want to ask for your partners hand in marriage, you take the necklace to her and you wear the hat. As the sun was setting we stopped and had a sundowner on the savannah, and Bonno dressed up in his traditional village gear and performed his traditional dance. Denise and I tried to follow suite but we couldn’t coordinate the shoulder and hip movements! On the way back to camp we saw a circle of moving water with bubbles in it. Bonno accelerated and we flew over the top of a rhino!!
Another spectacular scene of an elephant having a cool down in the water early evening. We were so lucky at Okuti because on the second night there we were the only two guests and we had so much fun with the staff. The chef is a gospel singer and the Africans love to dance so you can imagine!!
Also we had thunder and lightening like you’ve never seen before followed by torrential rain and then followed by a bush fire in the distance. It was like this display had been put on especially for us. We have the most wonderful memories of our time here at Okuti with all the staff, especially our guide Bonno. Maybe we’ll return one day.
