On Safari

Not really preparation but an opportunity to spend some quality time with my family before I set off on my sailing adventure. This is a photo with my "support team" taken at sunset in Namibia.



This trip had been planned over a year ago by a friend of ours who lives in London to celebrate her "milestone" birthday (don't worry Kim I will not disclose your age) and the idea was a safari through Southern Africa. There were four families with eight children whose ages ranged from 12 to 18 and eight adults whose ages ranged from "old" to "older". We all met up in Delta Camp which is in the Okavango Delta in central Botswana. This shot was taken from the "arrivals lounge" when we arrived at Delta Camp.



The mode of transport through the delta was on the mokoro which is a dug-out canoe that the local men make themselves.



Since the capacity of Delta Camp is only 16 people we occupied the entire camp and this shot is of the lodge where we had our meals, evening cocktails etc. There were quite a few elephant bulls in the area and often we would be confined to our rooms while they wandered through the camp eating anything green that they fancied.



After three wonderful days in Botswana it was on to the Etosha National Park in northern Namibia. This is the dry season and all the animals congregate at the waterholes. When this large elephant bull arrived it made quite clear to the other animals that it was the boss and did not want to be disturbed whilst it drank.



We then flew south to do a walking safari on the edge of the Namib Desert. Fortunately our bags were transported to our camp and all we were required to carry was a day pack with water and some snacks. Our bedrooms were out in the open and here is ours perched on top of a dune. We were amazed at how much life we found in such a seemingly arid area. Our guides were expects and uncovered this "dancing lady spider" and a lizard that seemed to fancy my son's finger.








Here we are at the end of the walking safari making our way to the airstrip where the 4 planes were waiting to take us to Kulala Desert Lodge, a mere 20 minute flight away. Kulala is on the edge of Sossuvlei National Park which is famous for its large red dunes.


Here we are walking up a dune and then some decided the best way down was to "swim".



All good things have to end and I am currently writing this back in California whilst attempting to finalize all at home and prepare for my sailing adventure.

I want to commend my dear wife and children, without whose support I would not be able to undertake this sailing adventure. Thank you.