Meet Siena Crawford and her dog Bungi
Siena Crawford lives in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, with her partner Brad Bestelink and their dog Bungi. Brad is a celebrated wildlife filmmaker, having been nominated for several prestigious awards, including multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Cinematography. They are based at Brad’s Natural History Film Unit (NHFU) Film Camp, located in a private concession in the southwestern part of the Delta.
Throughout her career, Siena has been dedicated to travel, philanthropy and conservation. Her travel business focuses on unique insider experiences and retreats in Africa, India, and beyond, which highlight the raw natural beauty of the country and local artisanship.
INTERVIEW WITH SIENA CRAWFORD ABOUT BUNGI AND THEIR LIFE IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA
What’s your wake up ritual?
Bungi and I wake up at sunrise in the Okavango Delta. We live in a tree house with clear-view wrap around “mesh walls” opening out onto the Delta flood plains. We wake up to the sounds of our resident francolins and fire finches eating seeds in the wild grasses below us. Bungi loves this and watches the birds doing their morning routine while we have our morning coffee (made on a small gas stove and whistling kettle!)
Where is your favourite spot in the house?
My favourite spot in the house is our veranda, which is beautifully surrounded by Mitsibi trees. In the afternoons, I roll out my Kalahari Kanvas bedroll and listen to the birds and vervet monkeys. Bungi’s favourite spot in the house is the tiled shower floor. The shower floor is the coolest area and where he spends most of his time during summer!
Do you go to an office or work from home?
I work from our tree house in the Okavango, made possible by StarLink, which I absolutely love. Our office space, attached to the house, overlooks Kigelia trees that are a favourite of the elephants. This space was once Brad’s art studio, where strong scents of turpentine and oils often wafted into our bedroom. Thankfully, Brad now has a separate, magical art studio and creative space outside. Currently, I am in the process of decorating our office and have bought some lovely vintage Ewe Kente cloths for it that I found in Ghana.
What do you do for fun? What do you do to relax?
For fun, I love sleep outs on the roof of Brad’s filming truck, a customised Toyota Land Cruiser. These nights can be exhilarating or terrifying, depending on the predators that might be lurking nearby!
To relax, I love to read on my veranda or out in the veldt. Recently, I've returned to water colouring and using charcoals, inspired to create a “Diary of Bungi” and his adventures. During the summer months, when rain clouds gather over the Delta, I take out my stills camera to capture timelapses of the incredible and dramatic cloud formations. This is Africa forever at its best.
Do you have a favourite smell?
Bungi loves to track the scent of jackals whose territory overlaps with his soccer field! I love the smell of fynbos.
What is your favourite kind of food?
My favourite meal right now is a simple fresh salad, probably because it’s so rare to find. Botswana has banned the importation of vegetables to stimulate domestic production, making it challenging to maintain a consistent diet due to the limited availability of salads and vegetables. We're about to start growing our own vegetables in our garden in Maun and already have flourishing chilies.
Do you like to cook or prefer going out?
I prefer going out when I can.
What are your favourite cafes and restaurants?
GraysEden has recently opened in Maun, and it is divine and so chic.
The Duck is a local favourite establishment and has the best coffee.
In Cape Town we go to Jarryd’s in Sea Point as it’s Bungi friendly, and he loves all the attention.
What’s your view on treats and indulgences?
I am all for treats! Bungi gets them regularly. My treat in the Okavango is having a hot bath in my tree house and using lovely products that I have brought in.
Do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I am turning 40 this year so I am going to celebrate! Bungi just turned 4 , but every day is his birthday.
What do you most like about each other?
I love Bungi because he has filled my life with joy and my heart with real love. I adore his gentle nature, adventurous spirit, unconditional love, and bravery. Bungi knows that I am his mother. He comes to me in moments of insecurity, knowing he is protected, cared for, and unconditionally loved. Brad is “the fun one,” taking him on exciting ball throws and morning game drives!
Are you more of a city, beach or mountain person?
I am a nature person. I love the wilderness, grasslands and mountains.
I also love the ocean and love swimming in the sea.
Do you like to holiday together?
Bungi is a must on holiday and our itinerary is 100% dictated by him. He is the size of a large zebra so getting him into an aeroplane is a challenge. We end up driving very long distances just so he can be with us. The beach is Bungi’s favourite holiday.
What rules do you think are made to be broken?
We have broken every rule. I kiss Bungi on the nose frequently, he cuddles on the bed and comes everywhere like a best friend. I have long conversations with him, stare into his eyes lovingly and think of him as my child. He has his own Instagram page and strangers around the world know all his daily movements!
Do you like to sleep together?
Bungi sleeps on the floor by choice, despite endless attempts to entice him to be a bed dog!
What's one of the naughtiest things you've ever done?
Bungi before he was “snipped” would go on illicit neighbourhood patrols to find unsuspecting lady labradors down the road!
What’s one of the most adventurous things you have done in your life?
Moving Bungi and I to the remote Okavango Delta has been a major life adventure. Bungi transitioned from a “Plett pampered pooch” to a bush dog, and I transitioned from an urban social girl to life in the most remote safari wilderness. I’ve learnt to drive a tractor, mow roads, mow fire breaks, fight wild fires, become a bush mechanic, upholsterer and wield tools!
What are three things you can’t live without?
Bungi, my Akubra hat and Dermaceutic Sunscreen and Solbari UPF50+ bamboo gloves.
What’s on your bucket list?
Going to Tanzania to see Ruaha National Park to learn about the regenerative wilderness projects.
