Caprivi Strip, Namibia

Mahangu Lodge

November 20,21,22 &23, 2010

Caprivi Strip, Namibia

I had a fantasy, I wanted to find a beautiful campground on a river, with a pool, restaurant and unlimited wireless internet, voila Mahangu Lodge on the banks of a hippo laden Okavango river bordering Botswana.  http://www.mahangu.com.na/main.html
The air is pleasant, just cool enough for a sweatshirt. The birds are announcing the sun which is slowly rising above the trees on the river. Ripples on the water from the family of hippos in for their morning ablutions reflect the bright pink glow of the horizon. Tall reeds of papyrus edge the banks, home to hundreds of birds, frogs and insects creating a chorus of less visible worlds that make themselves known through song. One of the helpers here at the camp, 29 year old Kay shares with us his joy at becoming a new father last night and his prayers for a long life and bright future for his son. He also expresses resignation that he cannot see his wife and new baby until he gets paid at the end of the month and can travel the 200 km to he village. He shares with sadness that their first child, a daughter named Jennifer died at 10 months old. She woke up one morning not able to eat and began to vomit, the clinic could do nothing for her. In the US this child would have received expert medical care and be alive today most likely. Both of Kay’s parents have already passed away, the average life expectancy in Namibia is 42 years. There is a sharp contrast between the natural beauty and the sad reality for those living in Africa.