Chobe Game Lodge goes green

Saturday the 11th of October 2008 was a day that all at Chobe Game Lodge had been eagerly anticipating for quite some time. Almost a year earlier the decision to purchase 24 Solar Panels at a substantial cost had been made and the aforementioned ordered. The logistics in obtaining said items however had taken longer than anticipated but eventually there they were. The panels were gingerly offloaded and a brace quickly built for these particularly fragile items to hold them until installation could be completed. This proved to be a highly entertaining exercise participated in by all from our highly skilled Maintenance staff to the Gardeners even including input from various members of Management.


These panels were to be our first foray into going green on a large scale, with major energy saving taking place especially in relation to the electrical geysers which are used extensively during the year. This would also obviously relate into a huge financial and energy resource conservation amounting to an almost 65% power saving.

We have six geysers at the lodge at present that heat approximately 6000 liters of water daily. The 24 panels have been split up into sections of 8 placed on the Main building and the East and West wings respectively. We had to install inline Solar Driven Water Pumps on the West and East Wings due to the location of our Solar Panels, being above the electrical geysers. Hot water rises, so to ensure consistent circulation the solar heated water had to be forced downwards to the geysers. These little pumps are quite interesting due to the fact that they pump faster as the water heats up. The first panels were put up at the beginning of November and are already making a difference. The Management and Staff at Chobe Game Lodge take it to heart ensuring all practical measures are implemented which can result in the decrease or reduction of pollution as well as limiting the exploitation of natural resources which made the solar panel water heating system ideal for our purposes as solar energy is clean and renewable energy.



Management also recently made the decision to replace all the existing incandescent light bulbs in the hotel with energy saver bulbs resulting in an energy saving of approximately 80%.The globes are low energy consumption units, using only 11W as opposed to the average 60W incandescent standard bulb. Over 400 bulbs have been replaced throughout the lodge and surrounds with Warm White bulbs being installed in the rooms and Yellow bulbs along the walkways. These bulbs last approximately six times longer than normal bulbs and attract far fewer insects. Updates will follow regarding the success of these projects.

An Okavango Delta Boat transfer

One always thinks of a transfer while on holidays possibly involving a taxi, train, aeroplane or tube but here at Camp Okavango we have an unforgettable transfer by boat to one of our sister lodges – Camp Moremi. Here the transfer doesn’t only mean getting from A to B but it also includes an opportunity to view the Delta’s spectacular scenery and wildlife. Instead of been squashed in a stuffy queue one gets to relax on a boat, learn about the fauna and flora of the diverse Okavango Delta and take in the fresh untouched African wilderness.

So what does a boat transfer involve?

After a relaxed breakfast in camp our guest will jump on one of our motor boats with a very experienced and knowledgeable local guide as their driver. Setting off from the camp you will begin to meander through the papyrus lined channels of the Okavango. On these transfers one never knows what to expect. After about 20 minutes you will enter into the flood plain behind the camp where there could be a possibility of seeing the very rare Sitatunga. This is an aquatic antelope which lives in the papyrus. It has splayed, elongated hooves which helps it to run in the mud with out getting stuck, a wonderful adaptation for these animals. On one such boat transfer the guests where incredibly lucky to see an African Rock Python attempting to swallow a Spur Winged Goose while a crocodile looked on! After crossing the flood plain the boat will join the main channel know as the Mounachire channel following the water down stream you will continue to travel through the wider papyrus lined channels. Around each corner you never know what to expect, you may be fortunate to see elephants swimming in the channel, crocodiles basking in the sun and plenty of birds going about their daily activities.

In the hotter months the elephants enjoy the refreshing Delta waters so one always needs to keep a look out on the banks of the Delta or even right in the middle of the channel where you may just see the trunk acting as a snorkel! For birders look out for the African Jacana’s – known as the Jesus bird as it walks on top of the water lilies.

Just before Gadikwe Lagoon, which is the half way stop you will come across the biggest heronry in Moremi Game Reserve. There you will find countless species of birds nesting. Every year the same birds migrate from all over the continent and some even come from Europe to breed at this particular spot. Some of the birds you will see are Marabou Storks, Yellow Billed Storks, Egrets and Ibis. Because of the possibilities of eggs or newly hatched babies falling into the water below their nests, the crocodiles, cat fish and monitor lizards wait in eager anticipation for an easy meal.

From viewing the birds at the heronry the boat will then stop at Gadikwe Island where you can stretch your legs, use a friendly tree and have a hot cup of coffee or tea. At this point you will swap boats and guides and from that stage the guide will take you safely onto Camp Moremi.

After the Gadikwe stop you will notice the change in scenery and vegetation. The water is shallow and you will move from one lagoon to another. The channels change from papyrus lined to over hanging Water Berry Trees. The viewing of game does not stop as you are now passing by open plains. Look out for lions keeping watch from a termite mound and giraffes browsing on Sausage Trees.

The whole transfer will take approximately 3 hours depending on what you see along the way. You will arrive at Camp Moremi just in time for brunch!

Leopard of Camp Moremi

Camp Moremi
Nov. 19, 2008

What licks its paws, sharpens its claws, rolls in the grass, scratches the ground, rubs its head against a log to relieve an itch and sips water from a puddle like milk from a bowl?

If you guessed a house cat, you could be right. But if you guessed a leopard in Moremi Game Reserve on this particular afternoon, you would be spot on.

Camp Moremi Guide Kagiso and I had a stroke of luck. Kagiso spotted tracks and followed them until we found this male leopard. We couldn’t believe it: He was relaxed and treated us as
fellow travelers. He would walk a bit, and we would ease along him behind the truck.

He would stop and strike a pose, and we would shoot his photo. At times, if I were brave enough or foolish enough to lean out of the truck, I would have been able to touch him; that’s how close he was. Neither Kagiso nor I could get over the fact that we had 45 minutes with this gorgeous creature, watching him do all of the cat-like activities I mentioned in the first paragraph. I had a chance to absorb the whole of the scene: not just watch the leopard in all his glory. I was able to observe the red-eyed francolins scatter about in a panic, squawking their warnings to other animals. I watched a giraffe stand frozen in the distance, craning its neck like a leaning Tower of Pisa. He wanted to know if the leopard was coming his way. Ditto the impala. They stood as if on ice.

Kagiso thought the leopard’s belly looked full, so at least for those moments the impalas need not have worried that they were on the dinner menu. This leopard was content to mark his territory and flaunt his fabulousness on the afternoon cat walk. Lucky for me I had a good seat for the show.

Volunteer, Maria Henson - Camp Moremi

Fireball Lily at Xugana Island Lodge

Nov. 18, 2008
(with photos of the Fireball lilly and Lets Ngoma)

Botswana’s rainy season is here, a time for parched ground to sprout new growth and for the trees to turn a brilliant shade of green. In the delta fireballs of color are sprouting as well – appearing only during this season and serving as exclamation points on the landscape.

On the morning walk today at Palm Island, Xugana Island Lodge guide Lets Ngoma introduced guests to Scadoxus multiflorus – the scarlet Fireball lily.

The flowers can be the size of a fist, and their round flowerheads provide an explosion of intense color that one can’t miss when scanning the green floodplains. They announce that precious rain – Pula! – has arrived in thirsty Botswana. Ground-level fireworks: that’s how they strike me -- another spectacular show in the Okavango Delta.

According to “Common Wild Flowers of the Okavango Delta: Medicinal uses and Nutritional value” by Veronica Roodt, the Fireball lily’s extracts are used for colds and asthma cures in India. In Tanzania, the mentally ill are bathed in its root infusion, and there is a belief that its root decoctions, taken at regular intervals, can cure sterility in women. In Senegal, the bulbs are mixed with other plants to treat dropsy.

From the perspective of this member of the walking safari today, the Fireball lily treats the senses to one more natural delight of Botswana. It’s the newest splash of color on the delta’s ever-changing natural canvas.

--Maria Hensonvolunteer, Desert & Delta Safaris

World Responsible Tourism Day at Camp Moremi

All staff and guests wore their green ribbons proudly today!!

The ‘I know my status’ campaign was celebrated with lots of singing and dancing by the staff who really enjoy themselves.
Our guests were thrilled to be involved with us on such a special day and they too enjoyed the singing and dancing, some were even seen tapping their feet to the rhythm of the African beat.

Thanks to all our staff and guests who took their time to share stories and information with each other.

World Responsible Tourism Day - Xugana Island Lodge

The staff at Xugana Island lodge and celebrated World Responsible Tourism Day

Lesego Vanham (Assistant Manager at Xugana Island Lodge) attaching Green Ribbon to Jessica Basenyeng, housekeeper at Xugana Island lodge)

We enjoyed celebrating World Responsible Tourism Day, handing out green ribbons to the guests and as a team at Xugana Island Lodge we hope to continue to act responsibly in tourism while providing the best experience for our guests. The celebration was concluded with two Setswana songs that showed the importance of tourism to the people of Botswana.

World responsible Tourism Day celebrations at Camp Okavango

It was fantastic to be able to celebrate World Responsible Tourism Day in camp and to be able to create awareness to both the staff and our guests through the ‘I Know My Status’ green ribbon campaign. As staff members of Camp Okavango we are proud to be working for a company that is so dedicated to changing the way we think about HIV/AIDS, how we help those who are infected and affected by the disease and reducing the stigma that is attached to HIV/AIDS.

The staff celebrated this day with the guests at brunch time. We started the celebration with an opening song and then there was a brief explanation about the meaning of the green ribbon and what Desert and Delta Safaris does as a company and what they want to do in the future.

The company has created a staff wellness program which focuses on ensuring that the staff members are healthy in mind, body and soul. We are very fortunate to have a company doctor, a Pastor as well as the government operated clinics that come into the camps to help achieve these goals. We also have Peer Educators and Lay Counselors who are members of staff, who have been specifically trained to educate their peers on various topics each month that will help to ensure that the staff have healthy minds, bodies and souls.

We are also very proud that 98% of our staff know their status and are proud to wear the green ribbon. The green ribbon is a sign of hope and of life as well as a responsibility to live a healthy life. Botswana as a country has reason to be very proud for their dedication to fighting the epidemic. Botswana was one of the first countries to offer free anti- retroviral treatment to the people as well as a program to prevent mother to child transmission. The green ribbon symbolizes the hope that the people of Botswana have for a wonderful life irrespective of their status. It also is a reminder for those who are HIV positive that there is hope and help available to them as well as reminding them to protect themselves and others, to eat healthily, to exercise and to encourage those who are in the same situation as them. For those who have a negative status the ribbon is a reminder to protect themselves, to encourage others to do the same and to help those who are affected by the disease.

The Camp Okavango team was glad to be able to create awareness amongst our guests and hopefully aid in reducing the stigma around HIV/AIDS. We enjoyed celebrating World Responsible Tourism Day, handing out green ribbons to the guests and as a team at Camp Okavango we hope to continue to act responsibly in tourism while providing the best experience for our guests. The celebration was concluded with two Setswana songs that showed the importance of tourism to the people of Botswana.


Michelle Fowler, Camp Okavango

World Responsible Tourism Day - 12 November 2008

I KNOW MY STATUS CAMPAIGN

Desert & Delta Safaris is proud to support WTM World Responsible Tourism Day on 12 November 2008.

Desert and Delta Safaris’ workplace intervention started in 2002 when our Managing Director, Mr Derek Flatt, compiled the first HIV / AIDS policy for Desert and Delta Safaris. This was communicated to our employees and also onboard was Chobe Holdings Managing Director, Mr Jonathan Gibson, who in turn, hired the company Doctor, Dr Andre Birkenstock. Dr Birkenstock travels on a regular basis to all our lodges, implementing the policy through a three dimensional approach: healthy mind, body and soul. We also make use of the services of Pastor Canaan Chatukutu who visits our lodges and takes care of the spiritual side of mental health, promoting Christian behavior change and relationships. We are proud to stand recognized today as one of the leaders in our industry when it comes to workplace intervention around HIV and AIDS and can boast that 98% of our entire workforce “Know Their Status”.

“In recognition and support of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, Desert and Delta Safaris envisages to launch our “I Know My Status” campaign. Our intention is to create awareness and in doing so, reduce the stigma that surrounds the HIV/AIDS topic by distributing Green Ribbons on 12 November 2008. “This campaign is not only geared at our own staff and communities surrounding our business operations but to the Travel Trade worldwide”: says Marketing Director, Walter Smith.

Leroo La Tau sightings update

Update Leroo La Tau, bordering Makgadikgadi National Park

07 November 2008

We have returned from our month's leave and what a welcome home, we can see the difference that a little bit of rain has done. The lawn that you see as you walk out to the deck is a dark green and lush, the view from the lodge on the other side of the dry river bed is starting to get green spots on it and we know that soon it will be thick enabling the animals passing by to have shelter from the sun and rain.

We love this time of year, a new beginning for many babies - so far we have seen zebra, bushbuck, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, impala. The lion cubs are growing and coming into the time when food is plentiful, we are sure they will grow before our eyes.

We are also aware that as the temperatures are rising (40deg C +) the water becomes very precious and there is much fighting going on between 600 - 1000 zebra (at a time) that are all trying to get some of this element at the waterhole infront of the lodge. Unfortunately a well placed kick can send a zebra down the floor and later to perish, which is sad, but nature. This has happened a couple of times now since we have been back. The numbers of zebra coming to the waterhole is still high, but we also know that soon they will move to flatter and safer areas where natural pools of water have formed.

The lions are also moving in....there have been sightings of 9 lions as well as another group of 4. Two days ago the guests saw lions busy killing a pregnant zebra and also on a different occasion feeding on a giraffe. We also saw lions walking past the waterhole in front of the loge, which is exciting as the guests could watch them in the moonlight safely from their private decks.

5 Wild dogs have been spotted 4 days ago moving closer into the area, so we keep fingers crossed to see more of them in the not to distant future.

Cheetahs are also showing themselves now. There have been sightings of 4 and also, much to our excitement, a mom and 2 young ones.

Today, our guests saw the 3 Rhino together, I'm glad they have been seen again and hope the guests understand what a treasure it is to see them.

At 05:35 this morning while staff were preparing for breakfast and a brand new day, I took some time to watch the sunrise, which was a burst of hot pink across the bottom of a thick line of grey cloud. As I turned to the lodge, I saw how it was casting it's pink light onto the building behind me and was thankful for another beautiful day in paradise.

Craig Riddle, Manager Leroo La Tau