Okavango Delta

This 8-day river adventure takes you along shallow channels, deep into the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango River flows down from Angola into the Kalahari Desert, where it creates the world’s largest inland delta. Trapped between deep fault lines and dammed by rising land to the east, the Okavango Delta is an oasis in the desert, a paradise of islands and lagoons, papyrus swamps and reed beds.

The essence of this trip is that it is an adventure. The exact itinerary cannot be confirmed in advance: it depends on water levels and delta movements at the time of travel.

The basic structure of this trip is:

Day 1 : Arrive Maun and drive to Shakawe in an open safari vehicle. The drive takes 4 - 5 hours, travelling an average of 80km per hour on tar road. On arrival, we set up camp

Day 2 : Set off from Shakawe by motorboat, meandering through the permanent channels of the Okavango, fishing en route (fishing tackle is provided). Camp overnight on the banks of the Okavango.

Day 3/4: Meet at the mokoro station near Seronga, pack for overnight camping, and depart by mokoro with local Batswana guides. The day is spent gently poling through the shallow side channels diverting from the main channel. There is time for walks across delta islands and flood plains. Camp overnight on an island in the delta. Next day, depart by mokoro and meander through the waterways to meet the motorboat. Camp overnight on an island.

Days 5/6/7: Depart by motorboat to explore the delta, stopping for fishing, walking on islands inhabited by game. The evenings are spent camping wild on islands, determined by the availability of open channels through the papyrus. Where the papyrus and other grasses have grown across the natural waterway, we must either physically cut our way through or turn back for an alternative. The final route takes you through the Monachira Canal to the Xakanaxa boat station in Moremi Game Reserve or, alternatively, through Xo Flats to the southwestern edge of Chief's Island.

Day 8: The journey ends at either Xakanaxa Airstrip or Ntswe Airstrip to connect with a charter flight to Maun for onward connections.

In wild or bush camping, there is no predesignated campsite and no structural facilities. Camping equipment is provided: small tents, bedrolls, cooking equipment, fishing tackle and food. Water is obtained from the Okavango Delta: one of the world's most pure and naturally filtered water sources, it will be used for cleaning and basic washing in buckets, with heated water. Few people will be encountered on the trip, except the occasional motorboat carrying supplies. The sounds of wildlife will be with you throughout the journey - from the call of the Fish Eagle to the distant hum of lions roaring.

This journey is not a big game experience. We recommended this itinerary for people who wish to explore the delta in depth and who seek a wilderness experience. If you are making your first visit to Botswana, we would suggest that you add big game viewing to the trip.

The basic structure of this trip can be customised. Flying from Maun to Shakawe is an option and one could spend a night or two in a chalet at Shakawe Fishing Camp, a birder's paradise, or at Drotsky's.