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Peter CraigPeter Craig
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Travel organiser and tour director at Viv’s Travel Bug
Former founding staff member and Deputy Headmaster Oxley College, Bowral Read more Burrill Lake, Australia
  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    1
    Day 14

    Day 14. (Day 2 Mathiba)

    October 10, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C

    We are now used to the routine of getting ready for school & breakfasting prior to departure from Sitatunga. This morning - a cloudy, cooler day to start with - we set off before 7.15 and drove through Maun centre, passed the airport, to Mathiba Memorial Primary School. The school is at the end of the airport runway and we had frequent small aircraft, delta lodge bound, take off over us in the course of the morning.

    The 1000+ students started lining up for Assembly as we arrived and once we were in position in front of them we were treated to a whole-assembly dance and song, which was a fabulous African greeting. They were remarkably rhythmic and intensely focused, the little ones keenly determined to do their best.

    At the end of Assembly and introductions from their Executives and Stephen Marnoch, they started singing “When the Saints go marching in” and year groups peeled off and went to their classrooms .

    The remaining Standard IIs were divided into small groups, which found a shady spot, and Oxley began its teaching morning.

    The pairs of Oxley students spent the next 2 hours teaching, swapping groups every 40 minutes or so for the variety. It was great fun and everybody enjoyed the experience.

    After break, we walked out of the ‘Oxley Gates’ the 400 metres to the local clinic. After a bit of a wait, while the waiting room emptied, we entered the HIV Aids section where we listened to a talk by a male nurse and an administrator. We were given an overview as to how the clinic dealt with their patients.

    Returning to Mathiba, we sat in the shade of an admin building corridor and ate our packed lunch.

    After lunch, we were invited by the Standard VIs to a ‘cultural welcome’. It was a most interesting hour or so. Mathiba have really worked hard to make our visit memorable and their organisation has been impressive. It is obvious they value their link with Oxley.

    Staff spoke, children acted in traditional costume, singing and ululating occurred, a gift was given and games played (a local traditional board game) and skipping took place. It also gave Oxley the opportunity to handover the books and games each student had brought. It was a great ending to our visits to Mathiba this trip and we were sad to say farewell to the friends we had made.

    While we waited for our transport to arrive, the wind gusted, a storm blew up and there was lightning and thunder. A few raindrops fell - Oxley’s first in their visits to Botswana - but nothing really came of it. We hope that it is the start of a much needed rainy season.

    The usual ‘Choppies’ supermarket stop occurred on the way home to camp and we were back by 5.00. Everyone relaxed until our guest speakers arrived at 6.00. We had a fascinating evening with Drs Leanne van der Weyde and Jess Isden sharing their experience in cheetah (Leanne) and lion (Jess) conservation and mitigation. This was the third time the two had shared their experiences with Oxley groups and it is really appreciated.

    Jess and Leanne joined us for dinner - as did Edward of the Sedie Science Department - and it was an interesting conversation.

    We broke up about 9.00 and slowly headed for bed, exhausted. It had been a busy, rewarding and overwhelming (by the enthusiasm of the Mathiba staff and students) sort of day.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    Day 13

    Day 13. (Day 2 Sedie, Day 1 Mathiba)

    October 9, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    Today we were in less of a hurry to get to Sedie JSS and we took on the Maun morning traffic. Once at school we waited for some time to be allocated to our classes. In groups of about 5 we attended classes until morning break. Most of the classes were doing revision for their Form III exams which start next week.

    At break we left Sedie and walked the 800 metres to next door Mathiba Memorial Primary School. Previously the entrance to the school had been unimposing but now there’s an impressive set of gates that clearly state the relationship between Oxley College and Mathiba., of which they are most proud.

    We were all taken into the Mathiba staff room and were welcomed by the Mathiba Head (Noah) and his staff. Mr Marnoch spoke on behalf of Oxley and the meeting ended with a prayer.

    From there we went outside where a group of Standard IV students danced for us in traditional costume. It was most impressive!

    Then, in pairs of Oxley students, we were allocated groups of Mathiba students and, after looking for shade in the school grounds we set about engaging with the primary students. Some played games, others read stories or coloured in Australian animals. We had great fun and everybody enjoyed themselves. A return to Mathiba tomorrow is now eagerly anticipated.

    We walked back to Sedie for the packed lunch we had brought with us from the camp and sat in the shade of the car park to eat it. The afternoon was so hot that by mutual agreement activities were cancelled and we returned, via a supermarket stop for water, to Sitatunga.

    After a shower or swim we were ready for the local challenge of a football and netball game with neighbouring villagers. A short trip on one of the trucks, a greeting (dumela) to the headmen of the 4 adjacent kraals, and the games started. Everybody had fun, enjoyed themselves and the Oxley teams gave a good showing against the local adults.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    Day 12

    Day 12 (Day 1 Sedie JSS)

    October 8, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    We were determined to be on time for our first school day so the wake up call was 5.30, with breakfast at 6.00. By 7.00 our transport had arrived and dressed in our Oxley sports uniform we climbed aboard our trucks for the 45 minute drive to Sedie School. To avoid the morning rush hour traffic we took a couple of ‘long cuts’ on unpaved roads but we were on time.

    Once at Sedie Junior Secondary School we were ushered into a nearby staff room where we received a formal welcome to Sedie, to Mathiba Primary School and to Maun. In attendance were the Heads of both schools, a representative of the Ministry of Education, a parent and several staff. When the guests departed, our ‘buddies’ entered the room and we individually made their acquaintance.

    After that we went on a tour of the school, visiting the computer room, the library, kitchens, Home Economics and Art rooms.

    After a morning break students went with their buddies to class while the staff talked to the Head of Sedie, Mrs Senatla Mokobele.

    At midday, we somewhat haphazardly used transport to get to the Nhabe Museum in town where we were shown around by the curator. Afterwards we had lunch sitting in the shade in the museum grounds.

    From the museum we were transferred to the Maun kgotla where we were welcomed to Maun by 3 important chiefs. The conversation broadened as some good questions were asked and the chiefs warmed to the occasion. It became a most interesting session.

    We were picked up from the kgotla and taken into town to buy water (plus). It had been a long day by the time we got into camp.

    However, everyone perked up as they began to listen to our esteemed visitor, the world-renowned rhino conservationist, Map Ives. We sat out in the open in front of the restaurant, in the cool of the evening and found his talk fascinating. Oxley asked plenty of questions and got some interesting responses.

    https://youtu.be/Bw9sHvr7NVM

    Map left us before dinner which we ate in the restaurant. A de-brief of the day followed ( a lot of good things occurred: other aspects need to be re-assessed).

    We had no problem directing all to their tents at 9.30.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    Day 11

    Day 11. Our return to Sitatunga from the

    October 7, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    It was a slow start to the morning as it was our intention to leave the island at 9.00. We are now used to de-camping so it did not take us long to get ready. With the help of the 20 polers we were soon able to leave the campsite as clean as we found it.

    It was an hour’s pole to the village of Daunara where we were met by the Delta Rain crew (who run Sitatunga and the delta mokoros) and we loaded the vehicles. We said farewell to our poler friends, and Charlotte G thanked them and gave Mr K a large tip for him to share among them.

    Our visit to the Okavango had been a huge success. What a great array of animals we had seen and the mokoros and their polers had been special.

    It was a 2 hour drive back to Maun where we bought more water (and an ice cream or two) before heading 13 kms out of town to Sitatunga Camp. Bheki had looked after the truck and our suitcases in our absence and he had prepared lunch for us.

    After lunch we helped them pack all their camping equipment and then had a farewell gathering to say goodbye to Bheki and Munya. Aiofe thanked Bheki and Millie thanked Munya. Both spoke well and passed on a well-deserved gratuity to each of them. The truck left soon afterwards, on its way back to base in Victoria Falls .

    We had a lazy afternoon after moving into our Meru-style tents (each has its own en-suite). Swimming , volleyball, laundry, reading. The temperature sat in the high 30s but it is a dry heat.

    Everyone was hungry by dinner time and we had our first meal prepared by the Sitatunga cooks. It was a great success, eaten under the stars. Two Sedie teachers, Bofelo and Sebubu, came to say hello to everyone and stayed for a drink.

    We had no problem suggesting that their new beds should be tried out at the end of another hot day.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    11
    Day 10

    Day 10 On an Okavango Delta island

    October 6, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Mr K woke the entire camp at 5.00 am and we were soon up . The kettle had been boiled on the fire so we started the day with a hot drink and a rusk. By 5.45 we were down at the mokoros and we were soon ferried the short distance across the channel to start our morning walk.

    Breaking up into the same 4 groups as the previous day we headed off in different directions, led by a guide, with an assistant bringing up the rear. The walk lasted 4 hours in total with frequent stops to observe the wildlife and a mid-walk halt where we sat in the shade on the side of a termite mound.

    Most groups saw the same animals but obviously in different circumstances. Our group came across a herd of 12 giraffe, with a similar number of zebra nearby, as well as impala. Continuing our walk we saw warthog, a Secretary bird, 3 bushbuck, a large herd of buffalo and a herd of wildebeest. In the distance we saw elephants.

    On our return we saw smaller groups of the same animals as the heat of the day began to rise and animals sought cover. Back at camp we were welcomed by one of Munya’s amazing breakfasts.

    For the rest of the day, apart from lunch at 1.00, we either sought shade and read or played loud, noisey games, or dozed: while some did wash/swim in the waterhole or try their hand at poling a mokoro.

    By 5.00 pm we were all aboard our mokoros and were taken by our polers along a nearby watercourse . Round the corner we sat and watched 5 elephants move across in front of us from one bank to the other. There were herons and long-tailed shrike, and water lilies in the wider sections of the channel.

    As the sun neared the horizon we arrived at a large expanse of water inhabited by 8 hippos. We sat, in our mokoros, close to the reeds and watched the hippos sink and resurface, and the sun ball slowly disappear. It was a beautiful setting and a stunning scene.

    In the gathering gloom, we returned to camp where Munya had prepared a great ‘African’ meal. He has certainly done us proud and there has always been ample available.

    After dinner water was sprinkled on the sand around the campfire and the polers gathered for songs and dances, entertaining the group. There were some great acts, the highlights of which were ‘the old man’ dance and the ‘frog dance’. We ended the polers contribution by having a black and white song (polers and Oxleyans mixed),’Beautiful Africa’.

    Oxley decided to sing to the polers and they were entertained by the School Song and the School Hymn, followed by Advance Australia Fair.

    It had been another day of memorable, but exhausting , experiences and it was not difficult to persuade everyone to go to bed.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    Day 9

    Day 9 Into the Okavango

    October 5, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    The camp was ‘on the move’ by 6.00 and all tents were down by 7.00 before breakfast. We organised our water and backpacks for our morning’s 2 hour drive to Daunara. After breakfast we said farewell to Brian whose role as additional vehicle and driver was over and he left to return to Johannesburg.

    We were also welcomed by the Sitatunga Camp owners Karina and Gerald, and the manager, Ollie, all folk who have got to know the Oxley students well over the past 3 years.

    Soon after 8.00 the Sitatunga troop carrier was loaded up with tents, camping gear, food and students and we were on our way. With a jeep and trailer as well, we headed back to Maun and northwards, before turning west and driving on a dusty, sandy, bumpy road that often required the use of the lower gears of the 4WD. Eventually we reached Daunara, our mokoro ‘port’ and unloaded everything.

    Our party consisted of 20 mokoros, usually with 2 passengers, and a poler, but also camping gear. We manoeuvred in the narrow read-choked channels between the islands for an hour and a half seeing elephant and giraffe in the distance. It was very hot (Mrs Marnoch’s wristwatch thermometer read 43C) so we welcomed our arrival at a treed site where we could put up our tents and relax

    Munya provided another of his special lunches and we relaxed in the heat of the afternoon, playing cards, ready and sleeping.

    At 5.00 we crossed the narrow channel by mokoro and broke up into 4 groups for a short evening game walk. There was a spectacular sunset but most of us were also fortunate to see a herd of 10 zebra and a mother elephant and 2 calves, with lechwe, wildebeest and warthog in the distance.

    We came back to camp for another of Munya’s meals, consisting of various African components. It was such a hit that a line for seconds occurred very quickly. What an amazing skill he has to feed over 30 of us with such basic camping facilities.

    After dinner we had the usual debriefing, led by Mr Craig, with Mr “K”, the leader of the polers talking about the next day and also how the toilet system worked.

    By 9.30, grubby and tired, we were in our tents. It had been a hot but rewarding day.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    1
    Day 8

    Day 8. Meerkats, the Makgadikgadi plus

    October 4, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    It was a very early start for all this morning, made even earlier by a dog barking outside our tents. The ‘Oxley, we are on the move call came at 4.45 and by 5.15 all the tents were empty and we breakfasting. By 5.45 we were in the Planet Baobab car park waiting for our jeeps, and we were soon on our way.

    We drove through and southwards out of Gweta and had a bumpy, dusty 1.5 hour drive to a meerkat colony.. This group of 11 (with 2 pregnant females are a couple of babies) had become habituated and were able to walk among them, watching the adults digging for grubs and scorpions while the babies played.

    A light breakfast onsite followed before we drove to, and on to, the vast Ntetwe Pan, part of the Makgadikgadi ( which means very dry in the local language). We were encouraged by Super to walk alone out on to the salt pan and have ‘time-out’ by ourselves in the empty landscape. Many went a longlong way to find solace.

    It was time to turn back but we took a different route, looking for some wildlife in the neighbouring concession. Huge vultures were seen at a waterhole and a breeding herd of 30 elephant at the next. That was followed by a pride of 4 large lions, and then a herd of wildebeests. We were so lucky!

    A dusty bumpy ride back to Planet Baobab followed and we were tired and dirty, but happy and ready for Munya’s lunch. Finally everything was in the vehicles and we drove 3 hours west to Maun.

    We parked in the centre and while Munya and Bheki shopped for the Okavango mokoro safari. We bought water and things we need and then the vehicles headed the 13 kms to Sitatunga Camp. Up went the tents and the volleyball court became popular.

    We had been greeted by Tom and he came back after dinner to give us a “delta” briefing. Plenty of water, muted clothing and a backpack of necessities only. As we were fairly late, everyone was in their tents by 9.45    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    Day 7

    Day 7. Planet Baobab & Gweta

    October 3, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Not in a hurry this morning, so it was a slow start to the morning. Everyone now knows the routine and tents came down, bags packed and the vehicles loaded without any problems.

    After breakfast we drove the short distance into Nata and went shopping in Choppies for water plus. We also filled up with fuel before starting our drive westwards, a road that will eventually take us Maun tomorrow night.

    The countryside was very, very dry and the road deteriorated in patches. About an hour and a half later we turned off and had reached our destination, Planet Baobab.

    We moved into our campsite, tents went up and we were soon in the swimming pool. For lunch we had a traditional meal in the dining room, starting with a hand wash as used our fingers rather than cutlery. On the menu was sadza (a thick maize porridge), native spinach, beans, mapani worms, tripe and shredded beef. Everybody had a go and tried their best.

    After lunch we piled on to three jeeps, driven by Bakos, Super and Chemical, and were taken to a nearby cattlepost. Cattle are not allowed in the village of Gweta and so families set up a base further out in the bush. We explored the compound and talked to some meel players (a local board game).

    From the cattlepost we were taken to the village of Gweta for a slow drive to the spring around which the town developed, and then on passed the school, the library, the hospital and the post office. We were back at Planet Baobab by 4.30 and were soon playing Marco Polo in the pool.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    Day 6

    Day 6. South to Nata & the Bird Sanctuar

    October 2, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The whole camp was aroused by 6.00 and within an hour all the tents were down, bags packed and the trucks loaded up. After another of Munya’s breakfasts we were ready for the morning’s drive south.

    As the truck and the minibus rolled southwards, the view was of dry bush and occasional grasslands. We saw a baboon troop and elephants in the distance. An amazing sight interrupted the card game in the front of the truck as the vehicles came to a sudden halt. We had stumbled upon an eland migration with the herd numbering an estimated 80 beasts. These are extremely rare and generally only found in small groups. Our much-travelled support staff had never seen anything like this before.. We had been so lucky!

    At Pandamatenga we stopped for a toilet break before pushing on, passed huge agri-business farms irrigated by bore water. There were several roadside giraffes after that as well as ostriches, steenbok, and vervet monkeys.

    We drove through Nata an additional 10kms to Nata Lodge where we set up our tents while Munya prepared lunch. After that we headed for the swimming pool and a lazy early afternoon followed.

    At 4.30 we left for a visit to the Nata Bird Sanctuary . Unfortunately there was no water in the Suwa Pans and the flamingos and pelicans had gone elsewhere. Nevertheless we did see wildebeest in numbers.

    We watched the sunset from the middle of the saltpans and were getting back on the jeeps in the increasing gloom when Sarah noticed her phone was missing. The Jeep was searched and then we had an ‘ostrich parade’ out on the pans as torches began to be used. Just when the search waswas abandoned the phone was found by Nick and we headed back to camp in the dark- very relieved!

    A late dinner followed and a different sort of day ended on a good note.    Read more

  • TravelerOxley in Botswana 4
    2
    Day 5

    Day 5. Elephants without Borders

    October 1, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    It was luxury to lie in bed this morning and watch the sky colours change. The camp slowly came to life as everyone caught up on the sleep they had missed since leaving Australia. Breakfast was at 8.00 on a mild morning but the temperature is due to rise.

    After breakfast we did a bit of laundry before leaving the campground. We bought water for the day before moving to the nearby Elephants without Borders compound at Kasangula.

    We were welcomed by Old Oxleyan, Tempe Adams, and later met her bosses Kelly Landon and Mike Chase. Immediately we were split into groups with one group observing a 6 week-old elephant orphan being fed while the students met the 3 older orphans, Tuli, Panda and Morelo.

    Tempe gave us a PowerPoint talk about the activities in which EWB is involved and also her own role in the small but important NGO. There was so much more diverse activity than anyone realised! Which made it all the more significant when Tempe was presented with $2141 raised by the Year 9s to be spent as EWB saw fit. Yanni made a confident presentation speech and the EWB staff were amazed at the efforts involved.

    Afterwards, the two groups roles were reversed: followed by lunch sitting on the lawn.

    EWB has been given a large riverside land grant to reforest and establish a Chobe Culture and Wildlife Centre. There are plans for a Culture centre, a board walk, teaching areas, reforestation, threatened species care (the Chobe bushbuck) and educational programmes. A visitor last week was Prince Harry who is a close friend of Dr Mike Chase of EWB. We drove to the site and watered the 250 trees planted by local school children at the time of Harry’s visit. Harry had planted a small baobab and we followed suit in our own area, planting 6 trees representing the six Oxley houses. Afterwards we celebrated this little part of ‘Oxley in Botswana ‘ with a photo at Harry’s baobab.

    We left the property late afternoon, bought water in the supermarket, and returned Thebe River Camp. Dinner followed, where we were joined again by Tempe, before she headed off again to mind a baby elephant.

    It had been a different - but most rewarding - day, enjoyed and absorbed by all.    Read more

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