P.A.W.S

So many words sprung to mind when I thought about writing this review of my time at PAWS. Amazing, inspiring, interesting, challenging, fantastic however for me the word that describes it best is BRILLIANT!
I arrived at the beginning of September for a 2 week stay at PAWS. What attracted me to the project was the variety of work and adventure that was offered. I really wanted to do something tangible to help the big cat’s conservation and this project definitely meets that objective.  Clive & Roma where the perfect hosts, bringing a great mix of knowledge, direction and comfort (especially when on the first night I reckon I got about 2 hours sleep in-between the roar of Lions and whooping of Hyena’s!) to a lone traveller.
Each day was an event and a trip into the unknown, some days we could be Hyena or Leopard tracking, others fence clearing and bone and poo collection. Whatever the activity, there was a real sense of expectation of what we would see or do next. I can truly say it was a pleasure to wake up early to a beautiful Africa morning sunrise and from Day 1 to the end, I enjoyed every single second.   In my group of 5 were people from very different backgrounds with some in the midst of 9 month world trips and others, like me, travelling alone. I think the rotation of roles to make breakfast; lunch and dinner (under the watchful eye of Roma & Clive!) really helped the team fuse together well.  If you ever want to feel like you have really made a difference whilst being rewarded by Leopards and Cheetahs prepared to allow you to watch and work with them then PAWS is the place for you. A return visit is a must on my list of the things to do and I will be watching with interest the internet updates on the progress being made at Okonjima (most importantly that MJ’s cub is a boy!!!)  Thank you Clive & Roma (and my favourite SKINNY BOY) for a ‘BRILLIANT’ experience.