Lion Camp participation program

I was a paying volunteer in the Tau Consultants (Pty), Ltd., Project Participation Program (Private Bag 83, Maun, Botswana; visit www.taucon.com) at Lion Camp in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, May 24-June 4, '04.

South Africans Hanlie and Christiaan Winterbach began their long-term lion-monitoring and research project in 1997 and have been successfully collecting scientific baseline data on the demography, population and social dynamics of the Okavango Delta lions since then.

Northern Botswana's estimated population of 1,500 to 2,200 lions is the only one whose core inhabits a seasonal wetland ecosystem. Lion camp is a unique project in one of the most unique places on the planet, the Okavango Delta. The incredible Delta lions and Lion Camp activities were featured in the Discovery Channel documentary "Swimming Lions," shown in the U.S. on the Animal Planet channel.

Participants at Lion Camp pay $150 per person per night plus the cost of charter small aircraft flights to and from Maun (approximately $300). I was alone, but the large Meru safari guest tent could have accommodated two. It had en suite bathroom facilities (flush toilet, hot shower), proper beds and furniture. Food was prepared by the talented local cook, and laundry service was provided. With the recent acquisition of Bush Mail, e-mail contact with the outside world was available.

Participants are quickly integrated into the daily activities of this working research camp. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the camp staff is infectious.

While I was there, radio tracking of the five local lion prides was conducted almost daily. Recent record high-water levels made Land Rover travel on the sandy roads and through the water-crossing most exciting. Often, radio collar signals were received, but the lions were across flood plains too deep to cross and so observation opportunities were stymied. Road strip counts of herbivores, vegetation studies and computer data entry were other routine tasks in which I was involved.

From my vantage point atop the Land Rover during the various driving activities, game and bird viewing and photography was readily available. Game viewing was sporadic because of the high water levels, but on one lucky day I saw four of the "big five" (three lionesses in the morning after radio tracking and a spectacular deepwater crossing; a breeding herd of elephants through Lion Camp at lunchtime; a leopard On the road as we began an afternoon herbivore road count, and a herd of 60 buffalo at sunset). Unfortunately, there are no rhino in the area.

Lion Camp is not all work. Fishing, mokoro (dugout canoe) rides and picnic braais (cookouts) are arranged as the schedule permits.

My recent visit to Lion Camp was my third, and I hope to return. Anyone interested in a private unique African wildlife experience should visit Tau Consultants' informative website. For specific questions and available dates, e-mail 2tau@bushmail.net and tau@dynabyte.bw. Note: e-mails should be sent to both addresses to insure timely receipt. Also, the bushmail address is text only, so no attachments can be sent.

I would be happy to answer any questions and can e-mail photos of the camp and activities. My e-mail address is fosven@comcast.net.

BOB FOSTER

Venice, FL

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