Feb 15: Bushman Morning Walk; Maun - Jump-off Point for the Okavango Delta

 

Six of us decide to take an one-hour "Bushman Walk" to see and learn about some of the tricks they use to exist in this harsh environment. Most carry a "digging-stick: which they use to uncover small animals, plants and roots. Our first uncovering is a root that is used to tan their leather...next is a series of  plants and roots used for medicinal purposes from rashes, upset stomach, kidney problems, etc. One of the most interesting finding is what I call the "water root".... you take the root and grate it with a small stick to make a pulp....you then squeeze the pulp and out comes pure water for drinking cooking or washing any item. The top part of plant is replanted so that it can be regenerated. Lastly we saw how fire is started using rubbing sticks and fire tinder...quite an impressive display of skills and talents the Bushmen and their women.



Begin Morning Walk

 

Digging for Tanning Root





 

Washing With Water from Water Root



Baby Drinking Root Water





Fire Starter With Sticks



We return to camp to camp, breakfast, break-down our tents and off we go to Maun; about a 3 hour drive.

Maun is the "tourism capital" of Botswana. It is here that we rest for the night before entering the Delta for our 2-night bush-camping experience. The town was originally a collection of mud huts but has become a mix of modern buildings and native huts as modern highways and transportation has opened it up to tourism. It is home to 30,000 people who comprise and support  cattleman, farmers and tourists.

We arrive Maun around noon and have lunch.  Most of us have decided to do a fly-over of the Delta to view its geography, features and size. 2 planes of 7 and 1 plane of fly will do the fly-over; I'm in the 5 person plane. As you can see the Delta is enormous encompassing an area about 11,000 sq. miles made up of numerous water canals, deep water hippo pools, and dry land islands.

After the flight, we set-up camp. Our main chore this evening is to take just enough clothes and personal items to make life livable during our 2 night bush camp-out...toilet under the stars.....everything must fit into 1 small pack. We are all excited since will probably be the high-lite or low-lite of the trip.

Okavango from the Air

Notice the Water Canals & Grass

Let me introduce you to the UK contingent of our group:



UK Contigent
Eddie, Lucy, Dave Greg


Dave - one of the original 12 who began the trip in Cape Town. Dave travels the world teaching English at universities and corporate offices. His gigs range from a couple of weeks to months. He has seen the world.

Lucy - joined the group in Swakopmund, Namibia...has dual US/UK citizenship....dietitian working in the UK...firecracker personality...her brother works as an assistant to Secretary of Transportation Ray La Hood

Eddie - joined the group in Windhoek, Namibia... part owner of a small construction outfit near London. Handicap 6 golfer who invited me to play golf with him when I visit England...I'll be there Eddie and expect a few golfing tips...

Greg - like Eddie joined the group in Windhoek, Namibia...works for Bectel Engineering installing control systems in new natural gas and oil production systems throughout the world....he travels from one location to the next on a moments notice...Kazakhstan, Peru, Burundi, Austarlia, etc...he has been working for the last 5 months in Angola

     

 


 




Digging for Tanning Root



The UK Contigent
Eddie, Lucy, Dave, Greg