A glimpse of life in the Kalahari

The Kalahari is a semi-arid area, loads of sand and not much vegetation.  The main trees around here is the very big camelthorn tree, the smaller grey camelthorn tree and then the shepherds tree which gives you a lovely shade and escape from the scorching sun.  After the rain sourgrass can be seen everywhere and is also there because of overgrazing.  The flats are all white sand and then you walk over to the dunes and you get the most beautiful red dunes.  Wild life is abundant, and you get to see loads and loads of Eland, Wildebeest, Springbucks, Hartebeest and when you are lucky the occasional Gemsbok.  Reptiles can be seen underneath every rock or fallen tree and one must be extremely careful to not step on a puff adder or walk past a cape cobra.  Temperatures in the summer range from a cool 30 degrees Celsius to the every so often 45 degrees Celsius (and that’s in the shade).  The rainstorms are amazing and lightning fills the heavens with bright flashes. 

I can now finally say that the field is my office.  Ever since I can remember I always knew that I will never be able to sit behind a desk and work a 9 – 5 job.  It’s just absolutely great to get up at 5am (never thought I’ll ever say that), see the most beautiful sunrise and spend the whole morning walking with meerkats.  Sunsets in the Kalahari are just as beautiful, the whole sky turns from blue to orange to pink to purple.  Not one day do you see the same sunset or sunrise. 

Walking with the meerkats is another great experience.  You get to know each and every individual, and each and everyone has its own personality.  The pups are too adorable and you just want to pick them up and cuddle them.  Learning their behaviors gives you a little bit more of an insight into their social structure.  They truly are an amazing species.  When you’re in the field, it’s just you and nature and that’s how I like it.  There’s a sort of calmness in the Kalahari that makes you fall in love with the place.

I hope to keep all of you more up to date on what’s happening in the Kalahari more often.