Bush Walk and Setswana Lesson

We started off our second day at Thakadu Bush Camp with an introduction from Dr. Thoralf. We learned about the history and environmental characteristics of the area we currently call home. After the lecture, we set out for our first walk through the bush. Led by Thoralf and our experienced guide Darryl, we ventured through the area and learned about wildlife, vegetation, and geologic features. Our walk ended at Thakadu Lodge, The Rampant Aardvark (thakadu means aardwark in Setswana), which features a popular waterhole for the local wildlife. We got our first glimpse of wildebeest, springbok, and warthogs.

After lunch, we got our second lesson in Setswana from Mo. We learned many different types of greetings and useful phrases, such as "ke a leboga" - which means thank you.

Dr. Thoralf leading our bush walk.

Jake experiencing a dung beetle up close.

Walking through the bush.

Jake, Ben, Preston, Olivia, Joyce, and Paige viewing wildebeests at the Thakadu waterhole.

 Instructor Mo teaching us Setswana.

Having fun practicing Setswana in small groups.

First Day in Camp

We drove down from Maun to our camp by Ghanzi yesterday and are now all set up at Thakadu Bush Camp. Everyone has paired up in tents and today we start with camp safety rules, an introduction to our game farm (home for the next three and a half weeks), and Setswana lessons in the afternoon by Mo, a local researcher.

We will start our daily routine with field work in the mornings and lectures in the afternoon within the next few days, more blog posts and photos will be posted regularly.

Lots of greetings from Botswana!

Group Photo.

Back row: Jake, Jay, Dr. Thoralf, Preston, William, Ben, and Sam.

Front row: Clinton, Geoffrey, Bianca, Olivia, Paige, Justyn, Leigh, Zifei, Aubrey, and Melissa.

Study Abroad Botswana 2014

We are currently in Maun, Botswana getting everything ready for the program to begin on the 28th of May. We have set up two student phones, which the students will be able to use freely once they get here. You can also call Professor Thoralf or teaching assistant Thomas if you cannot get through (in case of emergencies).

Calling from the US to Botswana: 011 + 267 + phone number

Student phone #1: 76 50 89 69
Student phone #2: 76 50 96 20
Thoralf: 72 67 08 36
Thomas: 76 47 30 80

Cell phone service in Botswana does not work as well as in the United States, so you may have to call a few times to get through. We also experience power black outs from time to time which also means you will not be able to get through.

We will have a satellite phone ready once the program starts, which will be turned on every night between 7-8 PM (Botswana time). This phone will work in case of power black outs and when we are on safari (where there is no phone service coverage). This phone is for absolute emergencies ONLY.

The satellite phone number: 00881631627587

Safe travels and see you soon!!