RANDOM MUSING

It's been a busy  and interesting 21 days.

ZIMBABWE - There is high unemployment in Zimbabwe.  We heard as low as 5% but most put it at 25% employment.  The people we talked to seemed very annoyed at those who have left Zimbabwe for employment even though no jobs are available for them.  This means that unemployed people get together, form a band and provide entertainment wherever tourists are prevalent.  We seemed to see the same group wherever we went.

BOTSWANA - Most of the staff at the Botswana lodges are in their 30's and 40's.  Many are not married but have future plans.  The men have to pay a dowry of 8 cows so no plans can be made until they own that many.  There is a 2 day wedding festival and everyone attends whether they are invited or not.  Sometimes they don't even know the couple.  This means the man has to have not only the cows but also enough money to pay for all the food, etc.

Both camps in Botswana are surrounded by high electric fencing which keeps the large animals out but not the small ones.  Due to this all guests are supposed to be walked to and from their rooms during the dark hours.  They get quite upset if you try your bypass the escorts.

Savute purified it's water but also provided bottled water.  Leroo La Tau used only bottled water.

Botswana is prosperous- diamonds, beef industry and recently tourism.

CAPETOWN - We had a husband/wife combo for our guides in Capetown.  Hilton, the driver, has an aunt living in Regina.  There is a lot of British influence in Capetown.  I was surprised to see Smarties at the breakfast buffet and our guide talked about Hot Cross Buns for Easter - neither are US staples.

La Bon Vivant had the most interesting chandeliers and light fixtures made out of graters and egg beaters.  The coat rack was a tree branch.

GROOTBOS - 2 nights would have been sufficient here.  Unless you're really interested in plants there's not much to do.  When the whales are present it might be more interesting but you could easily do both the boat tour and 4×4 safari in 1 day.  The reserve has 195 staff and is the biggest employer in the area.  Grootbos has its own wells, purifies and bottles the water.  Because we are quite far south sunset is 6:45 rather than what we experienced in Botswana.

KRUGER -  This was the only camp that used trackers.  Both our guide who they call rangers and out tracker were exceptional.  They work the same schedules of 42 days on then 14 days leave.  They only allow 3 jeeps at a time get close to the animals.  There are several different reserves outside the park.  It seems that all reserves are allowed to enter other reserves but are restricted to the trails except on their own property.

In all our postings I've referred to the vehicles as jeeps but they are Toyota Land Cruisers.  They take quite a beating and are able to knock down small trees and go through large amounts of water.