Dear Readers!
Over my last 9 years working in the industry, I have been all around Namibia. On each of these tours, I have had a driver and/or guide who told stories, explained about the flora and fauna seen along the way, prepared the packed lunches, set up sundowners, attended to safety issues and minded the road conditions, time, weather and other issues. The Guide is the tourists' link to their holiday; he or she makes the plans become real.
In thinking about the fantastic Guides I have travelled with, I have to recall a trip into the bush to see the famous Namibian desert adapted elephants. We were in the Kunene region of Namibia and guests at the wonderful Damaraland Camp of Wilderness Safaris owned jointly with the Torra Conservancy.
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| This is the landscape we viewed as we drove through looking for elephants |
Our Guide had done is homework and had a good guess as to where some of the desert elephants might be that day.
Let me say a word here. Tourists come from all over the world to see the wildlife in Namibia among other tourism iconic sights. There is a big pressure on Guides to find these animals. The fact is that seeing wildlife just like on Nat Geo Wild or Animal Planet is RARE. Tour vehciles in national parks are restricted to the roads. So, unless the lion or elephant or cheetah crosses the road or is by the side of that road, you won't see it. Witnessing a 'kill' by a road is really, really rare; in 9 years of constant travel on safari, I have seen such things maybe 5 or 6 times only. You are very lucky to come across animals feeding or giving birth or mating or fighting, like the television shows. Why not listen to the stories, cultural details, environmental information and see the WHOLE picture and enjoy what you do actually see?
Private game reserves are bit different as the vehicles have more leeway to roam around and find the animals. Still, the animals cannot be so 'watched' that they become afraid of the vehicles and run away when they hear them coming. Interrupting their living needs too much is a No-No; Guides know the deal and know the balance. Remember folks, the animals do not give a whit about whether you are on holiday or not. I have seen tourists acting sullen and complaining about their Guide because an elephant or lion didn't turn around so they could get a better photos. Animals need respect. Enjoying Namibia while on tour means being a part of the environment and society just for a little while, not trying shape that society and environment aorund you.
Back on point... my adventure with a Guide seeing desert adatped elephants.
By the way, desert adapted elephants have wider feet than the regular Etosha bush elephant. They have these feet to help them navigate the soft sand. They also are adapted to arid conditions in terms of the need for water . And, they have longer legs.... (a Guide taught me these points!)
So, I was out escorting an official visiting to evaluate Namibia for a program funding submission. We went out in beautiful weather, found the elephants and sat quietly observing them for nearly two hours. The time just flew by. The elephants were unafraid and largely unconcerned with us and our Oooohs and Aaaahhs. Our camera clicks and whispers didn't stop them from eating, playing with one another, doing dry sand baths and nursing one little young one that was obviously a new born arrival to the group. (I didn't have a camera then, so no pix from me... sorry!)
Throughout, our Guide warned us to be still, gave us bits of data and information about the elephants and stayed ever cautious about the distance between the elephants and us. (Go To Wilderness Safaris website on Damaraland Camp in Namibia for better shots of desert adapted elephants.)
All of a sudden, the elephants looked to the West, put their trunks in the air and turned east and strating leaving. Not quickly mind you... elephants are not necessarily light on their feet But, they cleared out.
The Guide told us to pack up everything, get our cameras stowed away and he started firing up the engine. Both he and the elephants noticed that the sky had gotten steel grey dark in the west and it was moving fast right towards us. Even I noticed that the wind picked up and that fresh 'water' smell was in the air.
Nevertheless, the storm rolled in as we pulled out. Before it hit, the Guide unpacked the weather proof ponchos and gave one to each of us, making sure we were as covered as possible. He put all electronics in a waterproof lock box, rolled down the side flaps of the game viewer, told us to sit closely together and hunker down. We were not going to make it back to the camp before the storm hit.
It was weird because the dark and forbidding sky was behind us and the brightest, most wonderful azure blue sky was in front of us. I was reminded of that scene from the Jurassic Park movie, where the T-rex was right behind the jeep where the stars were trying to get away.
We got hosed.
The guide was shouting his stories about rain and storms and how it is normal and giving us encouragement all through the water wash drive back to Damaraland Camp. That rain pelted us from all sides, and the sound was thunderous! I could hear the Guide on the radio telling the Camp to have blankets, warm tea and other things ready immediately when we arrived. So, instead of feeling afraid, I was laughing and making jokes the whole way; we all were bantering back and forth with our Guide. I was soaked through to my underwear by the time we got back to the camp, but it was GREAT!
Guides have a talent for focusing on their clients and making the trip work. The most expensive trip can be ruined in one outting with a Guide that is not good; likewise a bargain discount tour can be made FIRST CLASS, by a Guide who is all hands on deck!
Hurray for Tour Guides!!
When you come to Namibia, make sure you book with a tour operator who will have a trained, professional Guide to go with you while on safari. Check out Damaraland Camp and the desert adapted elephants!
Then,
Tell'em, Jackie sent you.
