acacia blossoms

acacia blossoms

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Khama Karma Calmer..




The Khama Rhino Sanctuary in central Botswana is a nature zone that feeds the soul.  It is good Karma. It makes you feel calmer.
Just west of Serowe on the road to Orapa, we have passed the gate many times and wondered, craning our necks to see beyond the fences and into the open pans.

This time we found ourselves on the road, at that time of day, when the sun is making long shadows and the choice is to find a stopover – or to push on and drive in the dark along the donkey infested roads.  We pulled up at the gates – we were unprepared for camping. Yes! They have chalets – and a restaurant!! Perfect.

The reception ambiance was efficient and welcoming.  We followed directions to our quaint little A frame chalet, set in a clearing beneath a benevolent Mongongo tree.  The air alive with bird calls and squirrels made it feel like a fairy tale landing after the roar of traffic and the rush of road hazards – many narrowly missed.

I loved that the bed had been turned down neatly – as if some maternal figure had prepped the room for us.




But it was still early so we took a drive to look for rhinos.  We didn’t have to go far. At the first pan a female white rhino and calf were sleeping – the calf playing dead and the cow snoozing on her feet. A gigantic bull wandered past on the far side.  Caked in dried clay they looked like a gathering of ghost dinosaurs.



At the main pan, a group of six white rhinos grazed peacefully below a giant dome of evening sky.  It felt so good looking at these ancient ponderous beasts – to know that here in the heart of Botswana, is at least one place where they are safe and protected properly.
I salute the efforts of those whose vision has created this unassuming sanctuary in a world where rampant destruction of our natural treasures seems to be the order of the day.

We slept like babies in our cosy chalet and woke early to the clarion call of crested francolins.  Opening the door to the fresh morning, brought birds and squirrels to our feet looking for scraps. Making a mental note to always carry a small pack of wild bird seed on our travels, we  packed the car feeling rejuvenated and restored, ready to hit the road again.


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful stop-over. So well described. How fab to see so many Rhino. Just special.

mermaid gallery said...

donkey infested roads???? Sounds like a scene out of Shrek! The birds and squirrels at your door contibute to that too. Love the rhino pics. So exotic for us....really enjoy your blog! best, Susan

Anne said...

Such a lovely inn to find. It must have been so wonderful to see those hippos. I so enjoy your adventures.

Reya Mellicker said...

I always say the same thing when I read your blog: Wow.

But ... Rhinos make me nervous. You are so much braver than I am.

Nancy said...

Thank you for this. At a time that our world is under ecological siege, it is nice to know some things are working.

Janelle said...

sounds perfect...like the bed. and as for your monkey!? ag sweeet man. sweet piccie...lots love val xxx j

Val said...

hi Rob - it was. for such big creatures Rhino seem so vulnerable to me - sometimes they make me feel anxious for their future; it was so good to see them this way

Susan - yes like Shrek! haha he would fit right in here :-)

Choices - yes it was a real win as a stop over!

Val said...

Ivo and friends - thanks - I will definitely visit you!

Reya - brave - I dunno about that..but thanks!

Nancy - yes exactly

Janelle - it was, and the bed - and the monkey xx

thanks all for your lovely comments everyone - so nice to know you are there

blog on! xxxV

Val said...

Ivo and friends - thanks - I will definitely visit you!

Reya - brave - I dunno about that..but thanks!

Nancy - yes exactly

Janelle - it was, and the bed - and the monkey xx

thanks for your lovely comments everyone - so nice to know you are there

blog on! xxxV

Susan said...

That is pure magic. My father, who always wanted to visit Africa, would have been enchanted.

Pooch Purple Reign said...

beautiful post. pretty sure i would love that place
~laura

Lori ann said...

SO glad to play catch up here. What a great find for you both. was the restaurant as special as your chalet? I love the rhinos, great sanctuary. Wonderful description Val!

Anonymous said...

Have been in two minds about including this as a stop on my BBJ adventure.

Love the first pic!!

xx

Kristin said...

What a fabulous account! Your life is so amazing.

Vagabonde said...

What a lovely post – I felt happy and refreshed just by reading it.