The sharp harmonic call of the Fish Eagle served as a warm 5:00 wake up call. Today was part of the safari routine visit to check on the staff and clients alike. As well as running fresh supplies to the teams. I was keeping Kyeren out of school and he was excited about going into the bush with Dad
‘Make sure you have a spare set of clothes and don't forget your toothbrush’ I told him
At eight years old Kyeren had a keen sense of adventure; he was always willing to run off into the wilderness with me and had already packed his knife, torch and hat.
‘I am ready!’ he replied
‘Where are we going today Dad? Are we going to the Kalahari?’ he asked
‘Not today my boy’ I took A deep breath as I did a mental check of what was required before continuing, We have to drop off supplies in Xakanaxa for Ronald, then we are going to meet Okeditse’s team north of Khwai and we will spend the night with them, then tomorrow we need to meet Keesi's team in Savute.’ I said.
‘Are you sure you know where the teams are? Asked Kim as she handed a Tupperware with sandwiches.
‘We don't need the lunch box’ I said as I took the Tupperware with sandwiches. ‘We will be having dinner with our team and clients.’ but I took the Tupperware anyway.
‘I will call on the two-way radio as I get beyond Khwai, they should find us.’ I said
Ronald has a group of six Italian clients on an Authentic Safari, Karibu Comfort Mobile style. It is their second day out on safari and Ronald had used the Sat Phone to call base and request a resupply of fresh vegetables, meat and another spare Land Rover tyre as one got side wall damage on a game drive. The camp set up at HATAB 8 showed a mystical glow as the sun rose above the tree tops, each tent positioned a fair distance from the next with the mess tent in front of them and overlooking the lagoon, the staff tents and kitchen set up to the left of the main camp.
“Good day Sir” greeted Richard the camp chef as he opened the door of the Landy. “Did you bring our supplies we need Sir?” he continued before I could respond.
“Good Morning Richard. Let’s have tea and biscuits in the mess tent, as you explain why it is that a resupply is needed so soon after the start of a safari.” My tone was friendly yet firm.
We sat in the mess tent and the camp staff poured tea and put a plate of freshly baked scones with jam and honey on the table.
“We had a problem with a Honey Badger that managed to get into the supply truck on the first night out, his ransacking of the freezer and fresh vegetable supply attracting the hyenas whom devoured what he had turfed out of the truck.” He hesitated for a bit and then continued with a sincere tone, “and Sir, one simply cannot confront a hungry Honey Badger. I am sorry Sir!”
“It’s okay” I responded after finishing my tea and scone, “Not all the supplies in the back of the Land Rover are for you. The boxes that have been taped closed with green duct tape are for Okeditse, they will be in Khwai this evening and Kyeren and I will spend the night with them.”
Richard helped the camp staff unload his supplies from the Land Rover.
“Please tell Ronald and the clients that we are sorry to have missed them” I said as we headed out towards Khwai.
‘Karibu mobile, Karibu mobile come in for Stuart.’ I called for the umpteenth time, the radio remained silent. I tried the various channels and called and called but there was no reply, just silence. I pulled the Land Rover off the track and parked under a huge jackal berry tree. The sun had dropped below the horizon and although it was still light, it would not stay that way for long.
‘Help me set up camp,’ I said to Kyeren, who was now looking past me and pointing.
‘Did you see the lion Dad?’ he asked
I think it was the look on his face that made me turn and look and sure enough, there were two big male lions lying in the shade about 50m away.
‘Okay’ I said ‘now we know they are there, stay very close and don't wander off’ I said sternly to Kyeren, he just nodded.
It took a few minutes to erect the dome tent and throw our bed rolls inside and then I said to Kyeren ‘You must walk very closely with me, or you or you can stay in the car, but I need to collect some firewood.
‘I'll walk with you dad’ he replied
‘Cool’ I said ‘You can help carry the wood.’
The one lion continued to sleep and the other, although lying down and relaxed, watched our every move as we wandered around the bush collecting dry wood. We returned to our camp and made a small fire. I took the spade out of the Land Rover and cleaned it as best I could with dry sand and then heated it over the open flames and toasted the sandwiches Kim had made for us. There would be no cooked dinner with the clients in camp tonight. We were lost.
Darkness engulfed the camp before we had finished toasting our sandwiches. We could no longer see the Lions but could hear the call of a hyena further off, the night sounds had taken over and there was an eerie feeling to the darkness in the bush.
‘I think we should turn in now, Kyeren.’ I said as I opened that flap to the tent.
I hung the torch in the centre of the tent, and we got undressed and snuggled into our bed rolls.
The Lions had moved closer and we could hear them walking over the tent cover which was just outside the entrance flap of the tent.
‘I think I should have stayed at school today’ said Kyeren. ‘I might have brought you bad luck.
‘No you have not’ I replied. ‘Just imagine how scared I would be if I was out here all by myself.’
‘I am glad to have you with me my son, we will talk again in the morning.’ We both lay in silence and listened to the noises outside. The Lions had moved off and were now calling in the bushes, we could hear the response call from the rest of the pride far off. We went to sleep.
The following morning we packed up the tent, loaded the Land Rover, and found the path that headed up towards Savute.. I had decided not to try to find the teams in Khwai. We appeared to be too far north anyways. Instead, we dropped the supplies for the team with the wildlife officials at the Mababe gate and pointed the Land Rover up the sand ridge towards Savute.
The following week as I dropped Kyeren at Matswane Primary School, the school principal approached me.
“Mr Bartman, I need a word with you” he said. “Kyeren cannot be taking days off school wily nily, his school work is important” He was stern and I felt a bit too condescending for comfort.
I stared into his eyes for a moment that became uncomfortable. “Mr Principal. Please understand that I will not let your schooling interfere with my son’s education.” My tone was undeniably sharp. He turned and walked away.