The Okavango River Lodge

     Our driver was named Alex, and I later learned that he was the chief transporter for people coming and going from Modisa.  He drove  the three of us, G and M and I,  through roadways cluttered with burros, dogs, goats, and cows, and maybe a few people too.  He tooted his horn at all without discrimination, and none paid any attention whatever, so he had to swerve around them.  Now, why all these critters feel most secure snoozing or just resting in the middle of a fairly heavily-trafficked road, I can’t imagine, but there they were.

     Eventually, we were delivered to our destination, the Okavango River Lodge.  You may have heard about  these extremely luxurious lodges all over Africa, where one can be pampered with every possible indulgence while viewing wildlife from the comfort of VERY expensive surroundings.

     The Okavango River Lodge is not one of these.  

In the first place, it looked remarkably like home in summer time.  The lodge is located right on the banks of a marshy river.  Honestly, you’d think you were on our deck overlooking the Wisconsin River.  There are “slow-no wake” signs.  There’s a pontoon boat tied up—in fact, it is called “Sir Rosis of the River.”  The first clue that it is NOT Wisconsin is the “Beware of Crocodiles” sign.  

The place is remarkably comfortable and low-key, made for comfort but not luxury.  Drinks are always flowing, and decent—not remarkable—food is always available.  The staff is generous with laughs and jokes and suggestions for all sorts of local adventures, and well, it’s hard to explain.  It feels like home the moment you set foot in the open air bar.

    

     So I made arrangements to take an adventuresome mokoro ride the next day and slept the afternoon away until it was time for drinks and supper in this lively setting.  The place was really hopping—lots of “locals.”  Everyone seemed to know each other, and if they didn’t, they seemed to have a genuine interest in getting to know everyone.

    G and M were meeting a young woman who had interned with them years ago and who now lives in Maun.  They invited me to join them at supper.  What a delight!  She was Canadian born and recently married to a South African biologist, and they were a warm and fascinating  couple.  Some of the other volunteers on the way to Modisa had arrived too, and before I knew it, I had a bunch of new friends.

     Incidentally, if any of the photographs accompanying this post look familiar to any among you, they probably are.  My iPad, complete with all the pix I took, is gone forever, so these are all photographs taken from Facebook.