Pom Pom

Camp #2 was at Pom Pom Camp in the Okavango Delta, only accessible by small plane as noted in the previous post. As a result, we were very much secluded from the entire world and were joined by only two Canadian couples and Cecil, camp host and one of the most interesting people you could ever meet. Days were spent cruising around looking for the leopard, enjoying sundowners. Nights started with fabulous food and cocktails around the campfire.

Full set of picture of Pom Pom Camp may be accessed here:

Here's our "tent":



and our view of the Delta:

Bush Flight - Kasane to Pom Pom airstrip

We left the Elephant Valley Lodge around 11:00 a.m. or so and went directly to the airport in Kasane. We were met by a guy who took our bags, went to find our pilot, took us through the x-ray screening, and then into the "departure lounge." (JP: where we stayed for all of 30 seconds) I kind of muffed the tip exchange. I think he was pissed. (JP: We put Ryan in charge of all the tipping, we thought it would be a good idea.)

So we walked onto the tarmac and were greeted by our pilot. He was a laid back Canadian dude named Richard who had been flying in Botswana for about 6 months.


Here's the plane: a Cessna 210.







Here's Katy and me inside right before takeoff. Katy's nervous.

JP: And this is even before I took the controls. I was telling both of them the entire week that I wanted to fly the plane, they said there was no way ...







Takeoff


Here's Jon Pan holding down the controls (JP: I didn't even need to ask, I think he saw me eyeballing the controls):




















Panelia Earhart







As we neared the Pom Pom Camp, the pilot dipped down to look for game. We dove to the left and to the right and saw a few things. Here's the view.
















After taking these shots, I started to feel really queasy. The landing came just in time.





Here it is: