Great Okavango Delta Expedition

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Detailed Trip Description

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a truly unforgettable experience. This unique expedition starts in the Okavango Delta Panhandle and traverses the entire length of the largest inland delta in the world. The Okavango Delta has been described as the last remaining wilderness in Africa, but even here there are pressures from the encroachment of man and this expedition could well be your last chance to experience a true African wilderness. We explore this wildlife paradise by powerboat, houseboat, mokoro and on foot. En route we will track and stalk game, catch fish, bird watch, camp on idyllic islands and learn more about the subtleties of this wondrous ecosystem.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Maun

 
Maun- Seronga – Mokoro – Camping – F/B.
Chartered Flights

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 eyeview of the terrain you will be covering over the next 14 days.

Camping

At Seronga airstrip you will be met by your guide and transferred by open 4x4 vehicle to the boat launch station (approx 10 minutes). You will board the mokoros and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. The first night will be spent camping on an island. F/B.

Terrain
Sightseeing

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
Safari

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.


Day 2-5 - Botswana

 
Northern Delta – Mokoro Trail – Camping - F/B.
Safari

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.

Camping

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. F/B.

Terrain
Safari

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
Safari

Sitatunga is the speciality 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, waterbirds and also Pels Fishing Owl. Activities: Explore the islands and waterways of this part of the Okavango on foot and by mokoro, birding, fishing.


Day 6-9 - Botswana

 
Central Delta – Mokoro Trail – Camping - F/B.
Private Car Services

We continue on our journey southwards. F/B.

Terrain
Safari

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
Safari

Elephant, 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 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, fishing.


Day 10-13 - Botswana

 
Southern Delta – Mokoro Trail – Camping - F/B.
Safari

The final stretch of the expedition takes us up to the buffalo fence. F/B.

Terrain
Safari

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
Safari

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, swimming.


Day 14 - Maun

 
Maun - End Of Safari.
Private Car Services

On our last day of the safari we make our way to the buffalo fence where we will be met by a vehicle which will drive us to Maun where the safari ends in time for your return flight to Johannesburg. B/Fast Only.


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