Arrival at Meno A Kwena Bush Camp, Botswana

Posted on October 15th, 2006 by Christelle.
Categories: Africa, Botswana.

Wednesday October 5th, after 22 hours, some little ‘detours’ by London and Jo’burg I finally arrived in sunny Botswana. Oh, and by some miracle, my bags arrived at the same time as me! After a short drive (1.5 hours! Everything is relative isn’t it?), I arrived at the safari camp, Meno a Kwena, my home for the next 3 months.

The camp is divided in 2 sections; the Guest section with all the guest tents and the main tent and a bit further the Researcher Camp where I’m staying. I’ve got a tent there and I’m sharing the kitchen/living room and bathroom with 5 other people (3 guides and 2 other volunteers), the elephants and the lions!!!!!!!

When I’m in my tent at night, I can hear the lions roaring. It’s amazing! They are sometimes very close. Last night, I could hear one walking by my tent… Head under the blanket and I was saved! No need to say that I have stopped doing my midnight trip to the bathroom……

I’m still getting accustomed to my new surroundings, learning the bush rules (no running in front of the lions! Spiders are good, snakes are good, yes, yes), trying to remember every 20 or so staff names; all in Setswana! By all the laughing I’m getting back when I try to say a few words, I’m getting the idea that this French accent of mine is not only a problem with English!

My 1st mission in the village will be to teach the school teachers how to use their computers… there’s no escaping from IT, is there?!?!?! Most of the camp staff are from the nearby village, they are all super cool and very friendly. They all welcomed me with open arms and I cannot wait to start working in their village.

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