by Colleen Powers, of the University of Vermont
After months of anticipation, the seven of us in the Pitse Botswana Round River group arrived in Maun, Botswana on February 7th, and after a few days of settling into the program, we were off to the bush for the first time! We drove from the Island Safari Lodge in Maun to Kaziikini Community Camp Site, a campground run by the Sankuyo Tshwaragano Management Trust that oversees the NG34 concession area. Setting up camp for the first time was made more challenging by the steady rains that day but as soon as we were settled in, the rain started to clear and in the distance we saw a beautiful bull elephant walking leisurely in our direction. We all stood completely still and he paid us little mind as he went over to the watering hole 30 meters or so from our tents, took a long drink, and then grazed in the area for a while before leaving us. For many of us, it has long been a dream to come to southern Africa and see the incredible wildlife that the unique environments here have to offer, and so even after feeling tired from our long travels and a rainy day setting up camp, we were all moved by this experience of seeing this handsome elephant in the wild.
Male elephant, 20-35 years old, comes close to our campsite to drink from the watering hole. Photo by Natalie Albrecht
Over the next ten days in NG34, we were fortunate enough to see not only many more elephants, but an abundance of wildlife in this breathtaking reserve. The purpose of our travels to this community trust was to conduct transects with help from local escort guides. Every morning at dawn, we drove along three transect routes at 10 kilometers per hour and diligently searched for any wildlife along the road. At every herbivore, bird of prey, or carnivore sighting, we noted how many we saw and sex of the individuals. We also took GPS coordinates, angle of the animal(s) from North, their distance from the road, and what type of vegetation that the animals were spotted in. It is from this information that we will be able to collect important data to share with the communities about the animal densities present in the area.
Sunset at Kaziikini camp over a couple of the Round River cars which we use to drive transects. Photo by Colleen Powers
Each transect we drove was fun and unique in its own way. Transect 1 was along the road to Moremi, and as we slowly drove the car down the bumpy dirt road, we were surprised by how much wildlife we saw that many travelers speeding down the road had missed. Transect 2 was alongside the veterinary fence separating the reserve from the community, and was so muddy that our cars got stuck on multiple occasions. Transect 3 left the dirt roads entirely to an unmarked, unseen trial that was known only by one of our escort guides who knew this expansive area like the back of his hand. Impala, Zebra, Giraffe, Steenbok, Kudu, Elephants, buffalo, and birds of prey were all common sightings along these transects.
Photo though a pair of binoculars of grazing buffalo. Curious members of the herd look up from their meal to check us out. Photo by Colleen Powers
A giraffe spotted on transect runs from the road in NG34. Photo by Colleen Powers
One of my favorite species to observe are elephants. During transects, we recorded 121 elephant sightings, including a herd of 50 elephants! The elephant drinking in the image below was breaking down the sides of a watering hole with his foot and then drinking the muddy water. This is something that elephants will do for salt intake.
A male elephant drinks muddy water in NG34. Photo by Colleen Powers
During our time in NG34 we were also very fortunate to see some very fascinating carnivores as well. While diving a transect one morning, a wild dog popped out from the bushes alongside the road and darted in front of the car. Wild Dogs are an endangered species, and sightings of them is not something that happens every day, so we were elated as the rest of the pack came jogging from the brush and hung out and play on the road all around our car.
At night, the low roars of lions could be heard, and we were lucky enough to see several on transects. During the same transect we saw the wild dogs, we also spotted small pride of lions resting in the shade from the trees. The two adult lionesses and two sub-adult male lions were just off the side of the road. As we neared them, they looked up in interest with their sharp, amber eyes. But then, as if deciding we weren’t a threat, they looked away and resumed their nap. Over the course of our ten days there, multiple lion prides were observed.
A lioness rests in the shade alongside the road in NG34. Photo by Colleen Powers
Our trip to NG34 was an incredible first experience in the bush. The memories of the amazing animals and lovely people we met along the way will with stay with each of us for a long time to come. With much of the semester still ahead of us, we are all excited to continue our journey and take advantage of this unique experience.