The above average person spends two months at Kwapa Camp when combining the Nature Guide course with the Trails Course. Usually, trainers only spend 6 weeks straight at Kwapa too. But, for the first time in 9 weeks I’m heading out of camp for just under a fortnight for a little break. Before the Okavango delta swallows me whole.
Well, I’m not actually leaving the bush for this break. I’m heading deeper into the delta on a strike mission with AGA’s sister company, Letaka Safaris, to do some more R&D, safari things and to spend more time in nature.
But in the 9 weeks I’ve been here, I’ve become attached to this little gem of a place hidden in the middle of nowhere.
I also wasn’t even planning on writing anything today but while the mopane forest thickens around me, I have become consumed by a mix of sadness, excitement and a couple other feelings I haven’t quite named yet. So I decided to channel that into a quick blog and start typing this on my phone about 20 minutes into the 2 hour drive back to Maun.
I know this is only a short break, but I already miss my little tent. I have however, tactically left most of my stuff in there so no one takes it over while I’m away. Which is a little sneaky, I’ll admit. But I’ve become a bit territorial over my tent. I feel like I’ve made it my own with my traveling trinkets placed all around it to make it just that extra bit homey.
And I’m actually a little tentative about sleeping in a brick-walled house for the first time in over 2 months too. To illuminate this feeling a little more, I’ve chosen to not have a light in my tent for the time I’ve been in Kwapa as I’ve tried to be on that whole circadian rhythm vibe that seems to have become popularised at the moment. You know, wake up when the sun rises and have little light exposure in the evening before bed (although honestly that’s the time to catch up on series and movies, let’s not lie to ourselves).
And if I’m getting all sombre now, imagine what I’ll be like after my 7 months here is over. I might just post a crying emoji for a blog. Who knows…
But at this stage, while the cold blasts of the winter’s morning wind frosts up my nose, what keeps me warm is knowing that the heart of Kwapa is still beating. The leopards are rasping. The impala are rutting. The students have a full day of learning, laughing and experiencing this all for the first time.
Oh yes, Joe and Kgotso are still going to say “…and lovely green salad” at every meal while I’m away.
What a defining period it is to spend time in Kwapa with African Guide Academy.
But for now, adventure awaits.
See you soon.
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