Academic Travel of Fall 2001 in Botswana & Kalarhari Desert:

(Environmental Field Observations and Conservation Challenges in Botswana)

This Academic Travel is an environmental science field trip with a focus on the flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert.  The studies and observations are directed to the anatomy and physiology of organisms that have adapted to this harsh environment.  In contrast, the Okavango Delta, with its rich wildlife, offers the students, as they travel through the game parks, the possibility of observing animals in their natural state and permits the investigation and evaluation of conservation and its problems in Africa. –Prof. Flutti

*Mission of the trip* wrestle or ride a wild untamed animal!

This Academic Travel was a mind numbing reality check to how diverse and different the world is compared to how perceived it to be. We landed in Johannesburg, South Africa where we were greeted with our tour guides Frank and Colin. We took the African Routes bus through South Africa on a two-day journey into Botswana. The weather was hot as expected, but I was too fascinated with my surroundings to be bothered by the scorching heat. On our way to the second night’s camp, we came across spring bocks, goats, and rhinos on the side of the street. These animals were a prelude to what was going to be seen in the Okavango delta.

We touched down in Maun (city in Botswana where it is estimated that anywhere from 40-60% of the people there are infected with the HIV virus) on the third day, eagerly anticipating the adventures ahead through the Okavango Delta.  The next day we met up with a Bushmen tribe near camp (as seen in the pictures below) and they showed up their way of life.  Towards the end of our visit with them, they did a traditional song and dance that seemed to be straight out of a show on the discovery channel.  This visit made me realize how happy people can be so happy without material possessions.  Simplicity and efficiency is their way of life. 

About a week into our trip, select students took an airplane ride over the Okavango Delta to see the game for up above. Kip, Zachariah, Ashton, Felix and I took at ride with Teak, the Aussi pilot without a fear. We saw herds of elephants, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, crocodiles, monkeys, and antelopes among many other animals. It was the ride of my life and it was an experience I will never forget.

The following day we headed into the Delta in our Toyota trucks. Zachariah and I were the drivers of one of the trucks and we showed the rest of kids how it was done. We saw countless antelopes, zebras, giraffes, lions, and elephants among some other wildlife in the Okavango. That night I went on a joy ride with two crazy Brazilians, Thomas and Miguel.  We got into a close encounter with a male elephant at the peak of mating season (means that he is easily angered) and got chased down the road by a multi-metric ton beast of an animal.

The Delta hosted some spectacular views and we all enjoyed each other’s company for the three short days that we were there. Up next on the agenda was a camping journey into the middle of a saltpan the size of Switzerland. We rented quad bikes to run through the salt flats and I got to use my driving skills to get the bike sideways into a four-wheel drift on multiple occasions. Later on at night we set up our mattresses in the open flat and enjoyed the most spectacular night of stars (filled horizon to horizon) at night. Our tour guide told us that there is such a thing called the "African Disease," that is, once you fall asleep under an African sky you will always return. It’s safe to say that I am a victim of the "African Disease. "

Spring semester 2002 destination is Argentina and Chile…can’t wait!

Memorable Quotes:

“That’s at least a foot and a half!”-Kohta

“Spody!”-Kohta

“What am I spoda do?”-Zachariah

“I’m tired and I’m done lovin’!  Katherine, you done yet?”-Kerry

Photography by Kohta Tabuchi ::: yossi33kt@yahoo.com

Web design by Wilson Tai ::: wilson@racingmix.com