Page 32 - Discover Botswana 2021

Then summer approaches once again. As temperatures rise, the flood waters recede, leaving crystal-clear rivulets in their wake, and grassy plains are stripped to arid sand. Under the scorching sun, a rippling crimson carpet appears, as flocks of nesting carmine bee- eaters gather. This sultry atmosphere is about to be shattered, as dramatic bolts of lightning start to blitz through the sky and wildfires erupt across the parched land. Despite the seeming desolation, the landscape rejoices. The fearless bee-eaters dart into the leaping flames to capture escaping insects, and the ashes of ancient forests return critical nutrients to the soil. As the rains return, the fires are snuffed out, and the cycle begins once more.
With a system so in flux, the Okavango is home to an unparalleled diversity of life. Today, under the stewardship of Botswana’s proud citizens it houses the world’s largest remaining population of increasingly endangered animals. This unique desert-oasis was the obvious choice for Brad’s wildlife filmmaking company. Throughout his decorated career, it is surprising to discover that his proudest achievement was not when he pioneered
filmingwithcrocodiles,orchangedthescience on hippos. It was the initiation of the NHFU’s community engagement project, in which its translated documentaries are broadcast amongst communities living directly in the Okavango’s shadow. One such event was held in Nxamasere village, located in the heart of the Okavango’s Panhandle, through which every single drop of the delta’s life-sustaining water flows. Despite this, the Panhandle currently has no formal protection, and so the responsibility of safeguarding it lies with those that live there.
The success of wildlife filming is achieved as much from the storytelling as from the footage itself. Words must enhance the visuals to create atmosphere, appeal to emotions and captivate attention, whether those watching are local residents of Nxamasere village, or people from the other side of the planet. Historically, and certainly locally, hippos are not everyone’s favourite animal, but the film ‘Africa’s River Giants’ proved just as popular with the citizens of Nxamasere as it did abroad. Soft coos echoed amongst the crowd as the new-born hippo was introduced, laughter rippled at his playful
Below: A Sausage tree makes for perfect cover for the largely solitary Leopard. A leafy branch makes for the perfect place to rest during the day but also as a height advantage to scout for potential prey.
Right: The gentle flooding of the alluvial fan that is the Okavango Delta signals new life and growth across the lands. It takes months for the water to arrive from the highlands of Angola.
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