{"id":1743,"date":"2024-06-10T11:18:11","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T15:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.caseyplace.com\/?p=1743"},"modified":"2024-06-10T11:18:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T15:18:11","slug":"day-8-chiefs-camp-to-the-kalahari-desert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.caseyplace.com\/?p=1743","title":{"rendered":"Day 8 – Chief\u2019s Camp to the Kalahari Desert"},"content":{"rendered":"

Up early (again) for a ride into the bush and first thin out we spotted another LARGE male lion who the guides believe was just passing through the area\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Then off intro the bush trying to find some cheetah (we didn\u2019t) but we did spot these two baby giraffe just having fun\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We decided to return to an area we spotted the day before where a leopard and stashed a small baboon in a tree to eat later.  Only the arms were left in the tree and then we spotted the beautiful female leopard who posed for a number of photos.  At one point Rhonda was so close she could have given it a pet\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We continued in search of Cheetahs (still no luck) but our guide spotted a large male leopard up in a tree so we went in for a closer look. I wish I had a video of this pursuit and our guide Sky driving through thickets i would not have attempted with Mini Cooper let alone a 6,000+ pound Land Cruiser. Not only incredible driving skills but he kept going until the light was just right on the animals – amazing skill resulting in spectacular photos\u2026\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Then it was back to Chief\u2019s Camp for lunch and to await our bluish flight to the Kalahari Desert\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The flight from Chief\u2019s camp to Camp Kalahari took about 90 minutes by bush plane.  At arrival we were greeted warmest staff yet.  After a brief orientation we were escorted to our tents.  These were true tents, no solid walls although they did have a shower inside.\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After a brief stop to freshen up we were ready for a walk in the bush with real bushmen or, what the locals referred to as San Bushmen.  Actually, this group was paid by the government to preserve their native culture and language to share it with other groups.  From our talks we determined that all people of our parents age\/generation (basically someone born in the 20s\/30s) was born and raised in the desert.  Those our age were mixed having been likely raised with the desert culture but exposed to western culture.  Those our children\u2019s age (30s\/40\u2019s) were taught english in schools.  Several tribe members which their children & grand children came along for our walk.\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These people speak in the \u201cclick\u2019 language, punctuating all of their words and phrases with a variety of clicking sounds.  Below is a video of their spokesperson educating us in the language and culture:<\/p>\n

\"YouTube