Kwetsani - October 2007
12 Nov 2007
61 days left in this year, with the sounds of the cicada (Christmas beetles) ringing in the trees. The horizons are changing, the clouds are building, and the rains are on the way, which will bring new life into the Delta.
Days have risen into 40°C, but the September winds have not blown away. We had 24mm of rain this month and the Delta with all its flora and insects has transformed into an amazing show of colour and fruits. The brown-veined white butterfly is the most widespread and abundant in the Okavango Delta. They are migratory butterflies and believe it or not, only fly in a north-easterly direction, en route for food; they also only feed off blue flowers in floodplains. The sausage tree is one of the most well known trees, apart from the baobab. Its large sausage-like fruits up to 5kg are eaten by the Meyers Parrots, baboon, buffalo and giraffe. The water levels have gone down and we only have the water marks around us to remind us what a full oasis of water it was just recently.
Kwetsani looks like a devastated war field with elephants - Earth's last remaining land giants - on the move looking for water. Kwetsani has had hundreds of elephant pass by and through over the last month. As they move with the receding water to maintain their daily intake of 160 litres. Guests have had a great time game viewing this month as the driving areas get larger.
The amount of dry land has grown as the water disappears and for the lions this comes with new challenges. A new pride of five lions have moved into the area. Buffalo are starting to make an appearance, as well as giraffe and zebra ahead of the rains. It is like a mini-migration in to the delta as the grazing area grows.
The birding has been mind-blowing with all different colours and calls making early morning and siesta time a choir of sound. Almost every migratory species is here including the Paradise Flycatcher and the Woodlands Kingfisher; these are two extraordinary birds.
The Woodlands Kingfisher is a summer visitor to the Delta, mainly found in woodland or dense riverine bush... calling all day long. Breeding takes place from November to March, in a hole in a tree. Despite their name, they tend to feed on lizards, insects and frogs.
The Paradise Flycatcher is so small yet fearless, as the male builds his nest from leaves, twigs and spiders webs for his babies and fights off even the largest owl to protect his new family.
Mekoro have been a big favourite with all the guests now in October. Lowering water levels bring all the water birds, insects and frogs within close viewing, as they meander silently though the shallow floodplains and papyrus beds. Returning from the activity to a bush snack and sundowners as the sun sets in the west create memories forever.
For all those reading our page, please come visit us in our beautiful Okavango paradise. Thank you to those that did visit us this month and we hope to see you back very soon.
Regards from Kwetsani
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