Joni's Jottings

Tuesday was our last full day in Mashatu. We got to spend another delightful morning at the hide, while visiting with some old and new animal friends in the afternoon. As always, we were in the vehicle in time to greet the rising sun. There were hundreds of birds at the hide’s waterhole when we … Read more

Monday, September 30th, was Botswana Independence Day. All staff members were resplendent in shirts designed around the colors of the Botswana flag: iridescent blue, white and black. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s #1 Ladies Detective Agency series know that Mma Ramotswe loves her country’s flag and the symbolism it represents – and these folks seemed … Read more

Sunday morning was one of the most amazing experiences of my life: hours spent up close and personal with dozens of species of wildlife at Mashatu’s Matebole photographic hide.   We departed camp at 5:30 am in order to catch the best light. Wildlife photography is one of the “experiences” available at Mashatu. They partner … Read more

On Saturday, Dan made the round of our tents for our 5:15 am wakeup call. By 6am we were loaded in the Land Cruiser  and headed off for a morning’s adventure in the soft light of dawn. The small elephant family we saw yesterday was out on the same path heading for a waterhole. The … Read more

I was up very early on Friday morning (3:30 am) due to Someone’s snoring. A breeze began about the time I woke, cooling the tent and the outside air. I listened to an audiobook until it was light, then sat outside on the deck to greet the dawn – and all of the critters who … Read more