By Addison Spitzer, UVM
We have started to adapt to the easy-going lifestyle of those who live here. We have embodied the term: ka bonya, ka bonya (slowly, slowly). On September 19th at approximately 1:15 PM, we stepped foot onto Botswana soil where we, the students, met Kaggie, Samara, and Sixteen with handshakes and hugs. We drove to the Island Safari Lodge where we unpacked our bags in the tents.
The people here are very nice, and the environment is welcoming! Whenever we wave to them, they always have big smiles across their faces. Because we aren’t in the bush yet, there are only a few different species of wildlife around. Nevertheless, we already starting developing our birding skills and have seen very friendly neighbors, such as Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus).
A Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) watches over our campsite as we gaze back in awe. Picture by Addison Spitzer.
The African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus), one of the many bird species around the Okavango Delta. Picture by Addison Spitzer.
This week we also met with Dr. Masunga and Mr. Bhatusi Bastille and they gave us presentations discussing how Round River Conservation Studies was able to work in Botswana, key issues with the hunting bans and its impact on the community, and the history/general facts about the Okavango Delta. Their presentations definitely motivated us for our conservation work ahead. Soon we will also be meeting with Bonty Botumile to learn more about the Batswana (the people from Botswana) culture before heading out into the NG 18 concession in Khwai, our first camp site.