A dip & a close encounter
THE trumpeting, ear-flapping and stomping of feet stop us dead in our tracks. Sebastian isn’t happy. Personally, I don’t think we did anything wrong. Two other journos and I were merely swimming in the pool at Xigera Camp in the Okavango Delta. Surely this wouldn’t be enough to piss off a young male elephant? Apparently, it is.
Perhaps we should have known better. After all, we had been told he was one of two troublesome bulls who liked to spend time near the pool.
In fact, Sebastian, named for a previous guests’ overly exuberant son, had broken the wooden boardwalk the day before we’d arrived.
Seb moved away without causing harm. It was an adrenaline-fuelled few seconds that underlined just how wild this area is — as if the leopard having a snooze on a branch wasn’t enough of a clue.
Hippos, crocs, elephants and the occasional lion are all there, though they aren’t as likely to harass you at the pool.
If you’re in the delta, of course, the best way to experience it is on a mokoro, a traditional dug-out canoe.
It was peaceful, serene and quiet. I’ve very seldom felt so relaxed.
Tiny frogs on green reeds, miraculously spotted by our guide, and more than abundant birdlife just added to the vibe.
As we drifted through the waterways, we didn’t piss off an elephant. And that’s always a good thing. —