Freeman Safaris
‘Yesterday’s Safaris Today’
Camp Routine
The camp routine revolves around the game so our return to camp for lunch can vary from 1100 to 1400 depending on what we see. You will learn that I hate leaving a situation - I am worse than any of you!
Let's start at the beginning of the day. Normally we are woken by one of our Masai askari, the ears and eyes of the night - lions have a natural fear of the Maasia. We meet up in the mess tent for breakfast and, as we eat, the Landrovers are brought over all nice and clean and ready for another hard day's work complete with the picnic, tea, sandwiches and cool box with water and soft drinks.
Off we go leaving the crew to sort out the camp. All the tents are washed and cleaned, bedding is made and all the water checked and replaced, hot and cold. The cold water is in an African earthen jar scooped up using a calabash, the hot water is in flasks. Any clothes required to be washed, 'dhobi', are left in the African basket and all will be washed and ironed (using a charcoal iron) and on your beds by the time you return to camp that same evening. That is why I don't recommend taking too many clothes with you, the dhobi is daily, free and as much as you like.
When in camp you use the facilities as you would at home, tea and coffee as often as you like, food on request from cakes, scones, daily baked bread, biscuits or soft drinks and as much bottled water as you can drink. It is all-inclusive so the rule is; if you want then ask.
In the evening after the game drive I don't encourage you to linger around the fire for long - a mosquito precaution - have a quick tea or coffee and then back to your tent for a shower to remove the day's grime. Each tent is well equipped with a vanity unit complete with sink, mirror, light, as much water as you need and space to set up your lotions and potions. Clothes are easily accessible. You need a night change consisting of long trousers, thick socks as well a long sleeved shirt with collar and insect repellent. Although the areas are malaria free it is important to take these precautions, as bites can be painful and with scratching become sores. The best and only precaution is to cover up. We normally reckon about 1 or 2 bites on the whole safari and it therefore does not become an issue.
More importantly you can sit outside without fear and enjoy the time around the fire soaking up the atmosphere and reflecting on the day's events. What a pleasant time of the day this is - a Tusker beer or gin and tonic goes down well and that is why I like to know your favourite drinks, we'd hate to run out! Our chef always manages to surprise us with some 'nibbles' - usually freshly made samosas - an appetiser before dinner.
We are called in for dinner at about 2000 hours. The table is always neatly laid out with all the refinements you would expect in a restaurant; napkins, wine glasses and there is always a starter, fresh bread and main course plus a pudding. All meals are cooked fresh, nothing from packets. Food is such an important part of the whole experience so we ensure you want for nothing. The meal is followed by coffee and a night cap around the fire as a finale to the day, just to help you sleep as you lie listening to the many varied night noises.
Let me quote from Simon's diary on safari from October 1996:
"I am not one to remember what we had at each meal but we certainly never had the same dish two days running. I am a fussy eater at the best of times but I really enjoyed the food. I don't like a lot of fat and was expecting to have to work hard at pruning the meat whereas in fact it was always very lean. Second helpings were always on offer and frequently taken up, we all had very healthy appetites.
After dinner, back to the seats around the fire and were asked what we would like to drink, the bar was at our disposal. As always no one stayed up long, the askari banked up the fire from time to time and it was sheer joy to be in the middle of Africa where we could hear no cars, no aeroplane, no radios, no telephones, nothing from our usual busy world to spoil the tranquillity of the moment. As soon as the sun had sunk the temperature began to drop, as the altitude was about 4000 feet the air became quite sharp and we were glad of the warmth from the flames. It had been a long tiring day so we fairly soon said goodnight to each other and turned in for the night. It was a few yards to walk to where the tilley lanterns marked our tents but as we set off the staff pointed the way by torchlight. Soon after settling down for the night my lantern was quietly whisked away and the next thing I knew it was morning.
The next morning while discussing how we had all slept it became clear that I was one of the few who had fared well. Val particularly had a restless night in contending with the roaring lions. I was rather disappointed I had missed the lions, as it was one of the sounds I really wanted to hear even it meant lost sleep."
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"We were miles from home with a slow start heading in the right direction, stopping and spotting. Way in the distance we had a cheetah in sight breaking cover. It had either eaten well or was pregnant, Brian guessed the latter because of her shape which was confirmed as we got closer. Took a few pictures and left her in peace before anyone else saw her. The last hour was spent filming wildebeest crossing a small river, Brian positioning the Landrover to catch them running towards us and turning away at the last minute. Time out amongst the migration is something that needs to be experienced. Just having lunch out under an acacia tree watching them is something I will never forget."
Jean
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