SIJWA (pronounced Sidge' wa) sits on the Kwando River which runs all the way from Angola into the Caprivi. The main channel of the river flows literally in front of the house and is about 30 metres wide with reed wetlands either side. When it floods for several months of the year (starting in June), Sijwa becomes an island, and is only accessible by boat. (Unless you feel like taking your chances with the crocs and wading across which I did last year just for the hell of it.)
These wetlands are unique to Namibia with over 400 species of bird. Plovers, herons, hornbills, warblers, bee-eaters, jacanas, crakes etc are all common species here. I had never paid much attention to birds until now but when you live in a giant aviary, its hard not to.
What I find interesting is some of their behavioural traits. Take the male Weaver bird, who makes a little hanging basket nest for his female partner. Apparently, if they not up to scratch, she refuses to move in and lay eggs, meaning he has to build another one. Proving that women can be difficult no matter what the species.
Being next to the river and in the heart of the wetlands, while undoubtedly beautiful, has of course its downside. Mosquitoes are plentiful here, particularly at this time of year (coming towards the end of the rainy season). I'm covered in bites and just hoping that none manifest into malaria. Fortunately, we are in a low density populated area which means less likelihood of catching it, because the Anopheles mosquito transports the parasite from human to human.
Elle is currently reading Joseph Conrad's classic 'Heart Of Darkness' set in the Congo. Those not familiar with the book, will no doubt have seen the film 'Apocalypse Now' which was based on the story. I mention this because Sijwa, reminds me a lot of mad Colonel Kurtz’s remote jungle outpost...
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