Anyone been on Earthwatch crocodiles of Zambia?
I'm considering the Zambia Crocodiles project. Anyone have any experience with it?
Any info would be helpful.
Thanks.
Any info would be helpful.
Thanks.
I was on Crocs in October 2007. It was hot, buggy and dusty, and I ended up with bites in places I didn't know I had, and I loved every minute of it.
We were housed in single tents with a cot, and pillow, right near the river. All of our trapping was done at night, by boat, and while not done every night, we must have captured and tagged over 50 crocs, the largest being approx 2+ meters, with most being in 1/2 meter range.
Audrey and Kevin, the researchers, were delightful to work for/with, with Audrey doing most of the back room work, data collating, and boat driving, and Kevin doing the cooking and capturing of the animals.
Ours was an hand-on experience with participation in all aspects of capturing, tagging, measuring and releasing of the crocs (though Kevin, for obvious reasons, did most of the capturing). I found the animals endlessly fascinating, the Zambezi, beautiful, both night and day, and the people of Zambia warm and friendly.
We had several daytime excursions both on the river and by truck, and enough free time to always feel rested, but never bored. We also visited a local school and participated in a presentation to the kids about the research we were engaged in.
Food was basic, plentiful, and well prepared, with the only complaint being the periodic power outages and with it the lack of ice and cold drinks. H2O is acquired locally from artesian wells, and perfectly safe to drink.
From the looks of the current offering, the accommodations have been upgraded, so that should be a plus.
I haven't seem the latest prospectus, so don't know what or who has changed in the past year, but given the chance I would go back and do it all again.
If you post specific ?'s I will try to answer them best I can.
Good luck.
Zalophus
We were housed in single tents with a cot, and pillow, right near the river. All of our trapping was done at night, by boat, and while not done every night, we must have captured and tagged over 50 crocs, the largest being approx 2+ meters, with most being in 1/2 meter range.
Audrey and Kevin, the researchers, were delightful to work for/with, with Audrey doing most of the back room work, data collating, and boat driving, and Kevin doing the cooking and capturing of the animals.
Ours was an hand-on experience with participation in all aspects of capturing, tagging, measuring and releasing of the crocs (though Kevin, for obvious reasons, did most of the capturing). I found the animals endlessly fascinating, the Zambezi, beautiful, both night and day, and the people of Zambia warm and friendly.
We had several daytime excursions both on the river and by truck, and enough free time to always feel rested, but never bored. We also visited a local school and participated in a presentation to the kids about the research we were engaged in.
Food was basic, plentiful, and well prepared, with the only complaint being the periodic power outages and with it the lack of ice and cold drinks. H2O is acquired locally from artesian wells, and perfectly safe to drink.
From the looks of the current offering, the accommodations have been upgraded, so that should be a plus.
I haven't seem the latest prospectus, so don't know what or who has changed in the past year, but given the chance I would go back and do it all again.
If you post specific ?'s I will try to answer them best I can.
Good luck.
Zalophus
12 months ago
Probably a good idea to talk with a Volunteer Advisor--they can answer all your questions! Just call 800.776.0188.
John
John
12 months ago
you say "...and Kevin doing the cooking and capturing of the animals." He really didn't cook them did he?
ha, Cheers,
A
ha, Cheers,
A
10 months ago
To AVR-As I said "...cooking and capturing...", not "...capturing and cooking...".
To John-Gwernuck asked for anyone with experience on the project, which is what I gave him. As to the volunteer advisor suggestion, in my case I found the information I received, incomplete at best.
To John-Gwernuck asked for anyone with experience on the project, which is what I gave him. As to the volunteer advisor suggestion, in my case I found the information I received, incomplete at best.
10 months ago
