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This is a true expedition, one we at Safari Guides have created. The Mekoro is a traditional boat used in the Delta for centuries. We traverse these complex waterways with our local guides leading the way. This is a bit of a rugged trip as it is camping all the way. All you need is a positive outlook and a keen sense of adventure!
The Okavango Delta is a unique green wilderness paradise situated in northern Botswana. It is created when the Okavango River encounters the Kalahari Desert and spreads out searching for a route across the flat sands. The result is a shallow inland delta of 15 000 square kilometers, giving life to all manner of plants, game and birds.
The Okavango's sense of tranquility is timeless. Its beauty derives from the sweet and translucent water flowing slowly and constantly over pearly beaches while fishes dart in and out of long purple and green wisps and tendrils of water flora dancing on the current; long-toed birds prance with curious strides on lily-pads that embroider dark and brooding lagoons; green grassy flood plains merge with palm-fringed peninsulas.
The profusion of islands vary in size from tiny protrusions above the water to larger islands clad in massive ebony, sausage and baobab trees. There are 2 distinctly different areas within the delta proper: the northern region, which is dominated by small densely vegetated islands and the more open southern regions which support the plains game.
Pricing based on a minimum of 8 travelers
Possible extensions to this trip:
- Victoria Falls
- Lodges in the Delta
- Kalahari Desert
- Game Viewing Safaris
- Cape Town and South Africa
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| Duration: |
14 Day Safari |
| Location: |
Botswana |
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| Category: |
Exploration |
| Tour Code: |
SGS 902 |
| Price: |
$ 4495 (min 4 travellers) |
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Travel Recap: |
| Day 1 |
On arrival in Maun you will be met at the airport by a representative of the air charter company and assisted to board the single-engine plane which will transfer you right across the Okavango Delta to the north-eastern corner at Seronga where the Okavango river starts spreading out over the Kalahari desert sands.
The 45 minute flight will allow you a complete bird's-eye view of the terrain you will be covering over the next 14 days. At the Seronga airstrip you will be met by your guide and transferred by open 4x4 vehicles to the boat launch station (approx 10 minutes). On arrival board the mokoro and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. The first night will be spent camping on an island. |
| TERRAIN |
Here in the north the river shows little variation where, as a deep fast flowing river, it winds its way through endless papyrus banks for almost one hundred kilometers. There are far fewer islands in this section than further south and generally they are no bigger than a termite mound. |
| WILDLIFE |
The birdlife is the primary interest, but with luck you will see hippos, crocodiles, leguan, otters, lechwe or even sitatunga or bushbuck, reedbuck or elephant. |
| ACTIVITIES |
Birding, Fishing.
Tented Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 2 - 5 |
Today we meet our mokoro polers, who will pole us through the channels and waterways of this magical area. We will stop off on islands to explore further on foot and to make camp at night. The actual location of the islands where we camp will remain flexible and up to our discretion, depending on the game movements and water levels.
Comfortable light-weight tents will be erected for you and you will sleep on camp mattresses. Shared ablutions, which include a pit toilet and hot showers, will be provided. This is an expedition and everything that we carry must be packed into the mokoros, so equipment will be limited. |
| TERRAIN |
As the Okavango River leaves the constricting fault lines of the Panhandle at Seronga, it fragments and spreads out across the sandy land into innumerable smaller rivers, streams and islands to create the spectacular Okavango Delta. The upper reaches of the Delta are permanently flooded and though the water level does fluctuate, the seasonal difference is not enough to affect the vegetation. This area comprises countless small palm fringed islands, huge lagoons, narrow winding waterways and even floating islands. |
| WILDLIFE |
Sitatunga is the specialty of this area. Lechwe, reedbuck, impala, hippo, warthog, baboon and vervet monkeys are found. So are crocodiles and leguan. This is a superb area for riverine forest birds, water-birds and also Pels Fishing Owl. |
| ACTIVITIES |
Explore the islands and waterways of this part of the Okavango on foot and by mokoro, birding and fishing. Tented Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 6 - 9 |
We continue on our journey southwards. |
| TERRAIN |
This part of the Okavango is typical wetland and the scenery varies from verdant grassy flood plains dotted with large termite mounds to well developed mopane forests and riverine woodland; from meandering streams where water lilies adorn the bracken-lined water courses to large open lagoons; from small islands fringed with palms to larger islands with riparian forests of sausage, baobab, knob thorn and ebony trees. The Okavango Delta's beauty is beyond compare. During peak flood season most of the area is under water and accessible by boat or mokoro only. |
| WILDLIFE |
Elephant, lechwe, waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, and hippo, warthog, and baboon and vervet monkeys are common. So are crocodiles and leguan. The birdlife is spectacular. One can also hope to see buffalo, giraffe, bushbuck, lion, wild dog, side-striped jackal, otter, zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, serval, civet, bush babies, fruit bats, kudu, cane rats, springhare and squirrels. |
| ACTIVITIES |
Explore the islands and waterways of this part of the Okavango on foot and by mokoro; track elephant and other game on foot; birding, swimming and fishing.
Tented Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 10 - 13 |
The final stretch of the expedition takes us up to the buffalo fence. |
| TERRAIN |
This seasonally flooded lower delta is distinctly different to the northern section. The islands are much bigger and large Kalahari sand tongues jut deep into the delta and support vegetation and animals more typical of the dry deciduous woodlands surrounding the delta. Grassy floodplains surround the islands and when the floods from Angola arrive, these dry, baked floodplains miraculously change to a sea of green, which attracts game from far. |
| WILDLIFE |
Best area for lion and elephant. Zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, lechwe, waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, hippo, warthog, baboon and vervet monkeys are common. So are crocodiles and leguan. The birdlife is spectacular. One can also hope to see leopard, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, bushbuck, wild dog, honey badger, side-striped jackal, otter, serval, civet, bush babies, fruit bats, kudu, cane rats, springhare and squirrels. |
| ACTIVITIES |
Long game walks are the norm; track elephant and other game on foot; birding and swimming.
Tented Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 14 |
Return to Maun and connect to your onward arrangements.
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