Big B and Little B Go On Safari

This Kgalagadi trip was an experience for the books. During a recent weekend away, I realised how special it is to go on holiday with family, especially with one’s children and grandchildren.

Butch’s greatest dream has always been to spend time with all our children, especially in the bush. The invitation to Bertus and Anna to bring ten-month-old Liam, Butch’s youngest grandbaby and a look-alike, on a camping holiday to the Kgalagadi was quite calculated, and they fell for it! 

I trolled Anna’s question on Friends of the Kgalagadi, often flabbergasted by the answers she received to “Would you take your ten-month-old baby on Safari?” The hundreds of responses ranged from “it would be irresponsible” or “you’re very brave” to “utter madness” and “go for it, Anna!” Anna wasn’t about to be bullied or persuaded. She wanted good, positive tips from parents who’d done it.  

We were over the moon. Liam’s arrival became the heart of our holiday, filling us with warmth and joy as we focused on his comfort and happiness. 

Knowing the landscape at Nossob, where we’d made reservations, we started planning. I insisted on a lawn for Liam to play on to ensure his safety and comfort, which helped us feel confident in our preparations. 

Like expectant parents, we watched and waited all morning, checking our watches, too afraid to move from our lookout point.  There was no need to fret, you’d think.  Of course, we did.  All our neighbours knew “die kroon prins kom kuier, grandbaby was due to arrive.”

Every time we spotted a Fortuner, we’d jump up excitedly. They arrived at the appointed time. We pitched their tent under the shady canopy of an Acacia tree. The lawn was spread out, and his Dad erected his Granny’s Gazebo, providing extra shade. Daytime temperatures in the Kalahari can skyrocket. He inflated his pink blow-up swimming pool. Next, his Grandpa attached the canvas swing (also from Takealot) to an ancient branch. 

While all this activity was going on, Liam set off, crawling down the road to meet the neighbours. He relished his freedom after days strapped into his safety seat. With sand between his toes, he crabbed off at breakneck speed. 

Liam’s routine took precedence. Under no circumstances were we to upset him or his parents. Butch’s objective was to educate Bertus, a novice to camping in the wilds, and to familiarise them with the Kalahari. He hoped they would be comfortable, relaxed and enthusiastic about experiencing the Kgalagadi’s wildlife.

Summer rainfall had been particularly good, and the 13-year drought had broken. As far as the eye could see, grasses grew abundantly. The red dunes were green and gold. Verdant Acacia trees camouflaged birds and leopards taking shelter in the heat of the day. Unless one’s vehicle had good ground clearance, sightings were limited, and small game was hard to spot. Birds were abundant, and owls nesting and raising their chicks were a highlight.

Liam took to it like a duck to water and soon settled in. We spent many amusing hours watching his antics. He loved splashing around in his pool. He’d swing high and low before meals, then crawl and climb up his Grandpa’s leg, tugging fistfuls of his shorts to get Grandpa’s attention. Ants, centipedes and other critters fascinated him, and at his age they all looked like tantalising snacks!

Butch could not be happier.  He’d far rather go for walks with his grandson than read his latest thriller, and he’d wake early to listen for Liam’s first mewls and fret when he heard him whimper after being put down for a nap.  

Anna and Bertus are the best parents this child could’ve had. They're not anxious or fussy. Like all new parents, they share chores and responsibilities effortlessly—a far cry from my experience as a parent in the eighties and nineties. There's nothing more soothing than a mother singing to a child. Sometimes I'd see silent tears roll down Butch's cheeks as he listened to his daughter sing lullabies to a mesmerised Liam, whose sobs quietened as he was comforted. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is his favourite book, and no matter how many times he hears the same story, the effect is always the same. His eyes would grow leaden, his fists would unfurl, and soon-soon he'd be up there, floating off with little star. These were precious moments.

During his waking hours, we’d go on game drives, stopping at waterholes to watch wildebeest quench their thirst or a Bateleur swoop in for his midday drink. The Namaqua Sandgrouse always fascinate. Did you know they drink daily and fly up to 80 km to reach water? I found this titbit and many more in Faansie’s Bird Book, a fully fledged field guide for kids! It’s all the rage now, and everyone, young and old, has one by Faansie Peacock. Liam loved the skittish Namaqua doves and the twittering red-billed Queleas as they swooped down in swarms from swaying branches to drink at the water’s edge.

Bertus and Anna spotted numerous cats. I seem to recall they saw cheetahs, lions (of course), and leopards. They did see a bat-eared fox; we didn’t. Once Anna's spotter's eye was fixed, there was no stopping her. 

One comment on Anna’s thread read, “Beware! The baby’s cries will attract predators, namely lions.” Ridiculous. And it didn’t happen. Scorpions were another concern. Anna fastidiously zipped their tent. It was highly unlikely that any critter could enter that tent. 

Temperatures were still very high. A small camping “air conditioner” sat next to his camping cot, and its soothing cool air washed over him, lulling him into a peaceful sleep every night. A thunderstorm in the Kalahari is a rare occurrence and is always celebrated. We had a cloudburst and a thunderstorm during the night, and it didn’t even faze the young lad. Torrential rains flooded out the neighbours and drenched everything in their tent. Liam slept unperturbed through it all.

Understandably, once he was put down, Bertus and Anna could relax, put their feet up, and enjoy a perfect African night, with barking geckos, roaring lions, and cicadas in the trees. The soft woo-hoo of the Spotted Eagle owls was comforting, and one we're sure Liam will recognise as he grows up.

We shared kitchen duties, and their three meals were a treat. What's more, I have new recipes in my arsenal, waiting to impress. Thai bowls, vegetarian dishes and a new Banting mince and cabbage pot. I salivate just thinking about them.

They might forget the experience, and on a scale of 1-10, the week with us might not top the rankings, but it was a highlight we'll never forget or surpass. One day, when we’re old and buggered, this experience will stand out. We’ve got to know little Liam, with all his quirks, hilarious antics and strong will. Anna and Bertus put up with our eccentricities and gave us all the time and space to enjoy their baby unconditionally. 

Butch and I took him for walks; we cuddled and cradled him; we played, laughed and romped in the sand. New Knee held his ground, giving Butch a pain-free experience he hadn’t enjoyed for decades.

We sincerely hope this safari will be Liam’s first of many African adventures. However, we realise he will not remember much. But he’s been exposed to the smell of rain on dry grass and red sand; he's heard rolling thunder and seen flashes of lightning. In his dreams, he might've heard a roar or growl. All these memories will be stashed away in his subconscious, and who knows, one day when he’s older, they might resurface like déjà vu, and he’ll know his Grandpa Oupa Butch took him there. We certainly were privileged to have this opportunity. We felt quite lost as we waved the Fortuner goodbye when their hols ended.

Some of my best memories are of my visits with my Grandmama, Oupa and Ouma. We hope we’ve sown the seeds of fond memories for this little one too. We must never underestimate the importance of these occasions. Every time I spend time with Butch’s granddaughter, she reminisces and reminds me of our promise to return to Prince Albert, where we camped when she was two bricks and a ticky high. She has not forgotten. We hope things will return to normal, allowing us to spend time with Anna-Louise, Ellen, Neil, Danny, Isla, and Liam. Oh, and what about the bun in the oven? We can’t wait to introduce her to some camping capers! 

Anna's post and some random responses.  Just goes to show how effective forums are; you get all sorts of views, and which ones you take to heart depends entirely on you.