The email I had received about the trip included the description:

It is a north-south traverse of the Okavango Delta, southern Africa’s most exciting wilderness, where you can get up close and personal with charismatic animals. A safari with an expeditionary feel that combines adventure, luxury and exclusivity. We will spend seven days traveling down the Okavango River in motorboats following the annual floodwaters deep into the heart of the Delta. This is not always possible, but great December rains have created the opportunity.

Day 1    Arrive Maun, Botswana

Day 2    Air charter to Shakawe , board our boats

Day 3    Boat game viewing down Okavango River

Day 4    Boat game viewing down Okavango River

Day 5    Wildlife watching in Xigera by foot and boat

Day 6    Boat game viewing down Okavango River

Day 7    Explore Chao Island by foot and boat

Day 8    Boat game viewing to Noraga lagoon

Day 9    Air charter to Hyena Pan Concession

Day 10  Game drive/walking in Hyena Pan

Day 11  Game drive/walking in Hyena Pan

Day 12  Air charter to Maun

The photo of the wild dogs got me all excited, the itinerary sounded perfect.

Now all there was to do was dust off the old safari clothes and pack our duffel bags. With the weight limit for the charter planes, there was no room for duct tape on this trip, and I may have to jettison several pairs of shoes.

Also, I will leave behind my trusty computer. It’s on its last legs, and a camping trip may finally do it in. So, there will be no downloading of photos. Brian bought me a refurbished iPad that I can use to write my blog, but there will be no access to wifi or cellular service on the trip, and I will have to post my blog on my return. I’m not happy about that, I really do prefer to do things in real time. But you can’t always be in the heart of Africa and also in communication with the rest of the world.

Actually I quite like the idea of being out of touch for a while. The guides will have satellite phones for emergency use, but otherwise we can focus on just being in the bush and avoiding the perils of the Delta.

Next on the agenda – book our flights, and make sure Tropical Ice knows all about my desires for white wine and Coca Cola. Imagine if they run out of them in the bush? Horrors!