Interesting Challenge for Botswana's Wilderness Guides
 

Four guides from Wilderness Safaris (Botswana) are taking on a very interesting challenge, for a good cause. They will have to walk from Duba Plains (Delta) to Duma Tau (Linyanti) in 5 days.....during the peak of the dry season.

I doubt if they'd ever let guests do such an expedition - probably a bit too dangerous. I would definately be interested if the opportunity arose.

Here's a link to the story:

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ne...item_id=345539

Very interesting Gaurang.....thanks for the link

Hari

Gaurang,

will u be in those camps around then? Maybe, you can try and do few hours along with them early in the morning? But then, that will take away time from following the three prides at Duba Plains.......

Hari

Gaurang: thanks for posting that endeavor, very interesting. I would love the opportunity to make that trek!

I tried to help the Namibia portion of Children in the Wilderness. The kids need trekkies (sneakers) so I was going to do a shoe drive at my daughters and other local schools but there are clothing importation issues so it never came together. It is a great program though and we all need those kids to grow up with an appreciation and desire to maintain the remaining wilderness in their countries.

jeez, i didnt even read the whole article the first time....just read the part about the 4 guides camping out etc etc.,

Thanks, Bill.....yes, fantastic cause and these kids are going to be the path to future conservation.

Hari

Incidently, CCA has a wildchild foundation....

Hari

Hari...the trek is from 25th - 31st October, so I'll be at Chitabe Trails and would have missed them by the time I get to Duba Plains (arriving 2nd Nov). I noticed that you revealed your age in another post (32 yrs). Although I've been doing safaris for 10 years, I'm only 33 yrs old. If the Kafue plan works out it should be great. Out of curiosity, do they allow walking safaris on Duba Plains?

PB...I think it's a great idea for a very important cause. These children will potentially be guiding my children in 30 years time (not that I have any yet). I'm not too great with my maps of Botswana, but I have been told that there is a gap between the Delta and Linyanti and the resident game is very wild. Very few humans ever traverse this area - so even these experienced guides must be excited and will probably be even more alert than usual.

The "gap" is probably the concession numbered NG16, sandwiched between Kwara and Selinda. There are no camps in this concession and even the Bradt skipped describing it, although it is on the Bradt guide map.

Are you sure NG16 is not a hunting concession?

Sorry my mistake, NG16 is the Selinda concession - so I have no idea where the gap is.

Hello,

My map of Botswana doesn't show any gaps, but they may be referring to NG12 which doesn't have any camps (the ill-fated Gudwiga camp was located on the northern border of this concession). This would make sense from a practical standpoint as well, as the members of Gudwiga and the other communities to the north of NG12 who own NG12 own the Duba concession as well, and have a strong relationship with WS (Kane, my guide at Savuti, is from Gudwiga).

The route might head north of Duba through NG12, across NG16 (Selinda) and over to Duma Tau. If this is the case, hopefully it heralds a thaw in Selinda-Duma Tau relations.

The Richard who is taking part in this trip is the same Richard I met at Mombo and Jack's -- a great guide and all-around nice guy.

Cheers,
Julian

Gaurang,

During my visit to Duba Plains, i didn't ask for a walking safari (i dont think i would be keen to do one there- with 3 famous prides around in the area).

Yes, Gaurang i concur. Btw, i may hv to travel on business to the US next month. If i stop by in London (i dont know my routing yet) we should do a fodorite GTG over dinner or whatever convenient.

Hari

Julian...you are likely to be correct, NG12 does seem to be the gap. The guides are definately doing this the right way - basic camping, dehydrated food and emergency water supplies.

Hari...if you do plan to pass through London, please let me know. It would be great to meet up.

"The route might head north of Duba through NG12, across NG16 (Selinda) and over to Duma Tau. If this is the case, hopefully it heralds a thaw in Selinda-Duma Tau relations"- Julian

Quite possible. They could follow the length of the spillway, which was done by Mike Main earlier this year. It shouldn't be a problem. I understand Duma Tau's guides have been less inclined to intrude into Selinda lately since the water has advanced further along the Savuti channel (I've seen them sneak up to the shore of Zib lagoon for sundowners in the past because of the great sunset view they could get across the water). The WS trekkers might also stay below the southern boundary of the Selinda concession. It'll be interesting to see which way they go.

John

John,

I think on this ocassion, being a great charity event...the folks in the Selinda will be more forgiving with the trespassers...? Maybe!!!

Hari

Hi Hari,

It would be great to meet up if you come through London at some point. When do you think you'll be travelling? I'll be in Tanzania from Oct 12-22 but will be back in the UK until Christmas.

Cheers,
Julian

Hi Julian,

I am most likely heading out October 16-18 somewhere around there, but looks like we can catch up on my way back from NYC. Yes, would like to meet you then. Will send you an email when i hv firm dates.

Hari

just to add....real life hand shake, vs the cyber hand-shake from last week on the other thread (just kidding!!!)

Hari

Hi Hari,

That would be great - hope we can work something out in terms of dates.

Cheers,
Julian

Julian,

Will be around the first week of November on the return. Will keep you posted. Thanks

Hari