Wanderlust took VIP guests to the bog
What could be a greater honor than guiding presidents on a nature hike? And not just one, but two! This special event happened in May, when Wanderlust guides – Signe, Galina, Riivo, Kristian, and intern Andres – led a bog walk for the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, and his guest, the President of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko, who was on a state visit to Estonia.
It was a day worth remembering. Here are our reflections of the day in Viru Bog.
Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko and nature guide Signe. Photo: Raigo Pajula
Distant, yet so close
With only a few days to prepare, we had to act fast. One of the first questions we asked ourselves was: What do Estonia and Botswana have in common? Surprisingly, more than one might think at first glance.
Although located on different continents and separated by nearly 9,000 kilometers, we share the same flag colors – a fact any quiz player would know. We also share migratory bird species. At least five birds – the barn swallow (Estonia’s national bird), nightingale, cuckoo, white stork, and lesser spotted eagle – fly from Estonia to spend the winter in Botswana. On the hike, we were lucky enough to hear the cuckoo calling in the forest and see swallows flying and chirping above the bog.
And while Estonia’s wetlands and Botswana’s largely desert landscapes may seem worlds apart, there’s another strong link: water. Botswana’s vast Okavango Delta and Estonia’s bogs both hold critical freshwater reserves. In Botswana, the word “pula” – meaning “rain” – is so important that it’s used as a greeting, featured on the coat of arms, and even serves as the name of the national currency.
Meeting foreign students. Photo: Raigo Pajula
A small world after all
We wanted to surprise our guests with something memorable. For example, offering juniper berries while walking through the forest or sharing handpicked cranberries in the bog. Of course, protocol requires the guide to taste first!
When we arrived at the viewing tower in the heart of the bog, a beautiful surprise awaited: a live musical performance. Kadri Voorand sang, including a song about the bog rosemary, while Mihkel Mälgand accompanied her on double bass.
But the surprises didn’t end there.
By sheer coincidence, a group of international students from the Estonian University of Life Sciences also arrived at the tower. Two brave students engaged in a conversation with the President of Botswana. One turned out to be from South Africa, and the other from Belgium. The latter had spent a year living in Botswana and described it as a life-changing experience.
It was one of those magical encounters that make you smile and say, what a small world!
Kadri Voorand’s performance at the Viru Bog observation tower. Photo: Raigo Pajula
Sporty presidents and strolling musicians
Our guide Galina recalled waiting at the parking area when the musicians arrived. They weren’t familiar with the new trail and weren’t sure how to get to the tower. We pointed the way and mentioned it was over a kilometer on foot. The double bass player politely asked if there was a shorter route. Unfortunately, no – the tower is in the middle of the bog. So next time you’re complaining about your heavy backpack, imagine carrying a double bass instead!
The foreign guests frequently asked intern Andres whether the mosquitoes in the forest carried malaria or other diseases. Fortunately, the answer is no – our mosquitoes may be annoying, but they’re completely harmless. Comforting, isn’t it? Andres offered the guests cranberries to taste, and after hearing about their rich vitamin content and health benefits, the Botswanan guests gladly asked for more.
Signe remembered that toward the end of the two-hour hike, the President of Botswana asked in surprise, “Is that it?” When the guide replied, “Next time, we’ll make it twice as long,” the president smiled and said, “Three times as long!” Clearly, Estonia’s bog left a deep impression.
As the guests got into their cars, the guides lined up across the road to wave goodbye. President Karis’ car stopped briefly, and he called out through the open window: “Thank you!” A warm and heartfelt end to this very special day.
The Wanderlust team with president Alar Karis. Photo: Raigo Pajula
What did we take with us from the day?
Once again, we were reassured that Wanderlust’s guides are truly up to the task. We sparked curiosity, created links between nature experiences and global topics like climate change, answered a wide range of questions – from mosquitoes to brown bears – and kept to the planned schedule and route (with a plan B ready, just in case).
Our trademark attention to every little detail, something we always strive for in our events, was more important than ever on this VIP hike. It was a truly enriching experience for us all. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to making this event a success!
As intern Andres said: “Wanderlust is a mark of quality. Expectations remain high.”
Share this post
Start planning your event with us.
Read our other posts.