24 August - The Weekend

It is the weekend and we are left to our own devices. During the week people have told me that I should arrange to go on trips as there is nothing to do here at Shamwari; we clearly cannot go out unaccompanied into the reserve from the compound and we are over an hour's drive from anywhere of any note. However, our accommodation has a very comfortable common room with a small bookcase and I have books and the radio via the internet so I felt a day of chilling was something I could cope with and it has been perfect. Most people are away for the day so there is hardly anybody around and it has given me time to relax and reflect on the week (and recover from last night).

My first week has certainly met my expectations as far as seeing wildlife is concerned and the international mix here was a pleasant surprise. The fact that we balance seeing the wildlife with work in and around the reserve brings a sense of satisfaction and the feeling that you have earned the privilege of seeing these animals in their natural surroundings. The long drives to our various work sites (it can take almost two hours although that does include a few stops for animal spotting) means that we often don’t get more than two or three hours of work done before driving off to find a nice lunch spot. Our afternoons driving around animal monitoring are very rewarding as far as wildlife spotting is concerned but I am not sure how much real value we are bringing to the reserve. But here I am seeing the sort of things many only dream of, and doing so every day; how can that be a bad thing?

It is now 6pm and the day has drifted slowly past. The lodge has been a haven of peace and tranquillity with all but five people away on trips. It is already getting dark and I am relaxed and well fed after a hearty dinner (the food here is generally excellent) and although I would love to have a similar day tomorrow I am on a trip myself which necessitates a 5.30am departure so I can feel an early night beckoning...