The full report of the first time Xamse Xota, Bushman tracker from the Kalahari, Botswana, flew in a plane, saw the sea and slept in a hotel bed.
Written by Xamse Xota
“That was my first time out of the Kalahari, Botswana. Ever since my life I spoke to God for that to happen and it was my dream to travel around in my continent, as a African and afterwards my dreams came true and I would like to appreciate God and the guys who were leading me through those hard but nice trips I have done.
Firstly I would like to thank Gert, Nadine and Vicky for the wonderful times I spent with them in South Africa as a Bushman of the Kalahari. It was my first time to travel with a Kulula air craft 737-800 and it was amazing.
On the plane Nadine told the operators that she is with a Bushman guy who has not ever travelled with a plane and this will be his first time to travel with a plane and everyone on that plane were very shocked to hear that. Sitting on a big plane was amazing and as plane was taking off I was a little bit scared, but as it goes above I enjoyed every single moments and everything I spotted was wonderful. As we goes Nadine and Vicky asked me how I feel about the flight, I told them that it is unbelievable and they laugh. Even me too laughs with a scary voice.
The flight took us two and half hours from Jo’burg to Cape Town. As we reached Cape Town I was very very shocked to see things I was not expected to see, Table Mountain, 2010 Soccer Field. But unfortunately I didn’t have time to nice view of these two. When looking at the sea I was getting wild. Thank to God everything looks different and I enjoyed to be there for rest of my life.
Getting inside Radisson Waterfront Hotel, almost everything I spot looks different. Using lifts to the room 119-120 were Nadine, Vicky and I, stayed were wonderful. And as I opened the door of my room 119 I was getting wild. Two big televisions one on sitting room, other one on bedroom. A mini bar. When opening some cuttings oh my God that’s what I said, the ocean was just next to my room and some big ships/boats on the ocean.
After putting my luggage and getting outside to have nice view I meet many guys and all of them enterview me. There were some flashes for several times and all eyes were on me and other guys were enterviewing with English and Afrikaans.
Late evening before dinner Nadine and Vicky takes me to the Hisense Wheel of Excellence and each wheel was 60 metres high and weighs up to 365 tons. They have an capsule seating op to 6 adults and 2 kids each. From each capsule there are 360 degrees panoramic views of the surrounding area. Sitting for dinner was much colder but it was good time to be. Every meal I enjoy there was good, everything was available.
Early morning just around 4:40 I wake up happily. Get my shower and standing outside my varendah at the sunrise was nice with so many colours reflecting on the sea was unbelievable and on other hand Table Mountain was fully covered by some clouds and it was so cold. Then I have cup of tea and went for breakfast and it was wonderful.
Just around 10:00am – 12:00 am has the presentations was ready and I was presenting and showing them my best, wearing my traditional clothes and everyone was so shocked to see how I looks like and some flashes and eyes were on me. Afterwards all people who attendant were happy and I swear I cannot ever forget those wonderful moments.
It was late evening when we flew back from Cape Town to Jo’burg and as I spot Cape Town on flight everything was different and as we goes some plane operators ordered me cool drink and some food for free, but unfortunately I was very tired and I fall asleep a bit on ta plane just for half an hour and it was good. Lastly I will say that it was my dream to travel out of Botswana and I will never never ever forget those days seen myself at Republic of South Africa until I die.
Go to http://www.weg.co.za/multimedia/view/xamse-wil-vuurmaak-onder-toerismebedryf-in-botswana to view Weg’s interview with Xamse.
Located in Zambia and situated in a private Game Management Area adjacent to the Kafue National Park, Kaingu Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Kafue River, one of the Zambezi’s largest tributaries. This intimate eco-friendly lodge boasts four double Meru-Style luxury tents and a family house, all of which have en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and all overlook this pristine river. The lodge, which is accessible by road and air, sits within a big game area and offers game drives, guided eco walks, birding, boat and fishing cruises, canoe trails, rafting and cultural village tours.
