Wild at Heart

This morning was pretty sad, we had to say goodbye to our one student, Steffi, who has become such a gem after being super quiet in the beginning. But then again I was also pretty quiet - Robyn keeps teasing us about that and about the fact that she tried insulting us to get us to open up. How she thought that was going to work, only she would know. I remember getting pretty miffed when she got a little too personal for my liking. But that's in the past, we get on really well now, even if she sometimes calls me a "cheeky shit", but I can't argue about that, I do sometimes push the buttons. Definitely going to miss Steffi though, I even taught her how to cook bobotie - she's not much of a cooker as she orders most meals in back home (Germany), but she said she's definitely going to make bobotie for her friends:) And whenever I cooked food, which was most of the time but I'm not complaining because I love making food, she'd always come help.  Things ...

The following day was very relaxed, we actually had a sleep in – what’s that again?! Although it was a little boring since we were so used to having things to do during the day, it was great to get a chance to read and lie around for a change. We did have a afternoon game drive though, which was amazing since we saw a pride of 6 lions. We watched the cubs being playful while the sun slowly set behind us. The following day, we organised a training session with a few of the Wilderness guides at Banoka Bush Camp. Although it was a long wait before everyone arrived, it didn’t go too badly and we even got some great lunch afterwards. And it seems like it’s going to rain again :D I can hear the thunder while I type… I also chatted more to Robyn about the master’s project and she said it’s definitely still a go, and all I need is to find a university and an appropriate supervisor that would be fine with me spending most of my time in the field. We’d also need to see where we could g...

Ok so update on what’s going on about becoming a wildlife monitor – so far there are not enough students coming to Chobe for WildlifeACT to appoint me permanently, so instead of becoming a monitor, I can do my master’s through them in an area where data is lacking. It’s not a bad proposition since I’ve been wondering if a master’s degree might help me in the future and I’ve always said that if I do it, I want to do it on something that will actually be used to make a difference. And the project will be based on planning wildlife corridors so that the landboard can use that information to zone the Chobe Enclave into appropriate areas instead of just randomly assigning crop fields and farms, ultimately increasing the conflict in the area. A great example would be the cluster farm fence that they erected but half has been destroyed by wildlife since it’s in their direct path to the river. Some people seriously lack common sense. Ellies at one of the "working" waterholes in ...

Since doing an endless number of transects and editing excel spreadsheets, we headed to Kasane to test a few of the DWNP field officers for their track identification skills. To say they didn’t know much is putting it lightly. You’d think that a few would immediately be able to tell a lion track from the other since it’s well the biggest track, but no, one chop sommer said it’s a leopard track. Had to ask him if he’s sure and he should also look at the size of the track. Now I’m not saying I’m any better with identification, but I reckon they need to know a little more than me since they actually need the skill to determine which predator killed a cow when they’re called out for wildlife conflict reports. The one lady who refused to do the test because she said she didn’t want to waste our time because she didn’t know tracks at all, said they rely on the farmer to tell them what killed the cow. They do realise that the farmers only get compensation for lion and leopard killings? So wh...

Since getting to the Chobe Enclave was quiet a drive, we had to get up super early so that we missed most of the  heat. On the way there, we saw some lions in Mobabe National Park which comprised of an adult male, 2 sub-adults and an adorable cub who spent the time we were watching them, just lying on his paws staring back at us. I was on the other side of the landie trying to take photos and when I stood up ever so slightly to get a better view, Robyn sternly told me to please sit down. Haha felt a little like a poep being told off, but it’s only for safety reasons and the blond in me didn’t think of that. We finally arrived at Chobe just before sunset, it’s a beautiful camp and the rooms we stay in are pretty larny for a research camp. We even have someone cooking food for us. And the research lab had huuuge apple computers in. It’s amazing, I want to take one home. So far, life in Botswana hasn’t been too bad, I’ve seen ellies every day, some huge herds most of the ti...

After more than 6 hours sleep for a change, I was sitting next to a cute pilot who was flying me to Khwai Island to meet the Robyn Harley, the head of WildlifeACT Botswana. Even though the flight was only about 30 minutes, I loved every second, bumps and all. Before we took off, the pilot handed me the puke bag after I told him that I'd never flown in one of these charter planes before, I assured him though I would definitely not be needing it. I fan while waiting for the plane to take off would have been great though, didn't the weather realise that I was trying to look attractive while the cutie was sitting next to me?!;)  After landing and meeting everyone, we headed to Khwai Discoverer Camp. It was a rather long and hot ride but I got to see some ellies so it wasn't too bad. The heat is just something else, even the breeze is hot. Sometimes I can't keep my eyes open for too long while sitting at the back of the landie because the hot breeze burns my poor eyeba...

So after months of working for free, I have finally found a paying job. That's if I pass the 3 month probation period and the manager likes me. The position is "wildlife monitor" for WildlifeACT in an area called Chobe Enclave which is between the Chobe Forest Reserve and a concession where people farm with cattle. I'm very lucky to have been given this opportunity, because many of my uni friends haven't found a job they love yet.  So after another shopping trip (urgg), I was ready to head back to Botswana. I was also lucky enough to catch a lift with someone who was heading to Maun and was a friend of the lady who was going to train me. After first flying to jhb, forcing my cousin to drop me off (thanks Kev), I finally met Keren and the long trip to Thabasimbi commenced. We slept over at friend's of hers since she had just flown back from Europe and needed the rest before driving another 1000km to Maun. Although I was a little apprehensive of meeting more s...

So that’s where I am at the moment, sitting in a dilapidated little chalet in Seronga, a small town situated in Northern Botswana, on the side of the delta which tourists seldom visit. Painted a pretty picture right, ag it’s not bad, it’s extremely rural – picture majestic elephants roaming freely between the villagers at dusk and dawn; fetching water either from a manually operated borehole or a tap; getting to the closest town (110km) away by crossing the delta with a ferry and having local kiddies shout “kua” which means white person every single time you pass them. So as you can imagine, it’s a little different to what I am used too, but it’s Africa and I love it.  Although I do miss having a fridge and everything that comes with that. I’ve already warned the family back home that I’m expecting the biggest braai known to man when I return as I need to catch-up on all the meat I’m missing out on while living the dream in Botswana (only slightly sarcastic on that note). So let...

So on the 4 th of March off to Zimbabwe I went. It’s difficult to explain, but as soon as I got the sanctuary I knew that I didn’t belong there. Maybe it was the Lord telling me that it was not part of the plan or maybe I hadn’t moved on from Harnas yet, but I actually got emotional while there, especially when I spoke about Harnas and my reasons for leaving. Kinda crazy I know, I wasn’t forced to resign so I was just being silly. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and the people are so friendly. The one thing I did enjoy about the sanctuary was the community work they did, especially for the pre-school children in the rural areas who are really struggling financially. That teacher could not thank us enough for bring a few supplies and teaching the kiddies about a few wildlife animals. I wish more people would be so humble. Some children even started crying when they saw a tortoise! It made me realise that we really do take things for granted. I mean, how many of us grew up seeing a tor...

So finally on the 20 th December, after a 22 hour busride, endless stops and a long wait at the border post, I finally arrived at Harnas! Those 3 months was an experience I won’t exchange for anything in this world. I met the most amazing people, some of whom I am lucky enough to still call friends and I would never have imagined myself working so closely with animals straight after University. A normal day involved tracking tame but  rehabilitated  cheetahs, taking naps with a baby vervet and baboon, milliepap fights, chopping up endless amounts of fruit and veg and witnessing breathtaking sunsets. How could one not feel at home? The plan was always to stay longer than 3 months, because to be honest, 3 months was just not long enough. So the night before I was to leave, the manager asked me if I wanted to come back. Without hesitating I agreed, how could I not? I was living my dream. I couldn’t imagine going back to “normality” back home. Unfortunately I ha...

Growing up in Kwazulu-Natal, surrounded by my country’s raw beauty, definitely played a role in awakening the environmentalist in me. When I was younger, I always dreamed about becoming a vet so that I could drive around with a minivan to pick up stray animals along the road so that I could care for them back home in my huge back yard. I would never be able to bring myself to euthanize an animal, so needless to say, that dream didn’t pan out.  Instead I studied BSc Conservation Ecology at the University of Stellenbosch. I still remember going to the University’s open day, walking around and spotting the conservation stand awkwardly alone in the corner as everyone was interested in the other stands but that one. I was instantly drawn to it. While at University, doing my Master’s seemed to be the logical next step after 4 years of undergraduate studies, however I got offered the opportunity to do volunteer research work at Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia straight after...