Into the Okavango

Please meet your tour leader in the hotel reception at 06:30. An early start today as you head north across the rolling high veldt. Passing farming communities and game reserves, you cross the Limpopo River into Botswana (650km approx. 9 hours). Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a reserve situated in the Kalahari sandveld with several natural waterholes providing prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest. The reserve is run by a community based wildlife project. It was established in 1992 to assist in saving the rhino from vanishing in Botswana and to restore an area previously teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide benefits to the local Batswana community. After exploring the park, you make your way to your chalet for the night. Chalet, shared facilities - 1 night (LD)

The Okavango Delta, which encompasses most of north-western Botswana, offers a unique wilderness habitat – a freshwater paradise of vegetation and wildlife. Today you journey (approx. 1½  hours) into the heart of this wildlife sanctuary by four wheel-drive vehicle. On reaching your pick-up point, you familiarise yourself with the ‘mokoro’ – the traditional dugout canoe of the delta. Originally cut by hand from a single log, nowadays many are moulded from fibreglass to conserve the precious stock of local hardwoods. Although a mokoro looks anything but stable, in fact it is an extremely safe and reliable craft. 

You set off, two people to a mokoro, poled by a skilled Tswana guide who will act as your eyes and ears until you attune to this unfamiliar watery environment. You navigate the maze of creeks and narrow channels, slipping silently through the beds of reed and beautiful papyrus fronds, past islands covered with palm trees. As you travel, you will see numerous birds and may encounter red lechwe (a rare type of antelope) or even elephant browsing in the water. The delta area is populated with hippos but you will journey through shallow waterways to avoid contact. Please advise your guide if you cannot swim. For the next two nights you stay in the delta at a pre-erected tented camp; here you can fully enjoy the seclusion and the sense of escape.

After settling in to camp, you embark on a short walk and learn more about this unique habitat. Tonight you will fall asleep to the sounds of frogs croaking and may hear the distinctive sound of hippos or hyenas ‘laughing’ in the distance. Pre-erected tented camp – 2 nights (BLD)

For the two nights spent in the Okavango Delta you stay in a pre-erected tented camp. The facilities are very basic but you will be provided with a simple bucket bush shower and a toilet tent (of the ‘sand and bury’ variety). All water, equipment and provisions need to be taken with us and all rubbish taken out again. All camping equipment is supplied including sleeping bag and pillow. The tents used are dome tents with built-in insect nets. Mattresses are supplied (about 5cm thick).

Please note: Our local guides are wildlife experts and it is important to pay close attention to their requests in terms of safety. The delta is an exciting place to explore, but it needs to be understood and respected, and following their advice is paramount.

Your final day in the Okavango Delta allows more wildlife viewing by mokoro as you pole back to the pick-up point where you meet the vehicles. By now you’ll have become attuned to the lagoons, palm islands and secret waterways weaving through papyrus and water lilies, and will be able to recognise many of the species that frequent this luxuriant oasis. The Okavango is now regarded as one of the world’s great wildernesses and is certainly a highlight of this fascinating trip. Then you journey onto Moremi Reserve arriving there in the afternoon. Tented bush lodge - 3 nights  (BL)

Rising early you continue your game viewing by 4WD. Bird life is excellent both in the Delta and the dry land sections with over 500 species being recorded. You may see kingfishers, fish eagles, Pel’s fishing owl is extremely rare and difficult to see, you may also spot bee-eaters and stork. During the dry season a congregation of all species along permanent rivers makes Moremi Game Reserve one of the most unforgettable experiences in Africa whilst the Giant Mopane trees form a canopy woodland to protect many more species. At the end of the day you return to the lodge. (BLD)

Boarding your vehicle you drive (300km/3 ½ hours) to the shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi. Botswana’s great salt pans cover more than 12,000 square kilometres. These pans formed by the continuous evaporation of a huge lake that once covered between 60 and 80 thousand sq.km. Tectonic movement has caused the water to flow in a different direction creating this massive flat expanse of land that is barren and otherworldly. Heat mirages are common on this type of landscape and although there is little game here you find yourself just gazing into the distance revelling in the feeling of total isolation. The salty alkaline lakes that form on the pan are a favourite of the flamingo as filmed in ‘March of the Flamebirds’ - one of the classic wildlife films (please note flamingos are not always present at the soda lakes). We overnight at a lodge a short distance from the Salt Pans.

The reserve is a paradise for a medley of African birds and common sightings include jacanas, skimmers and the beautiful carmine bee-eater. The principal aim of your morning drive is to spot some of the park’s big cats and there are viewing sites en route to enjoy the early morning sunshine. You return to the lodge for the middle part of the day then in the late afternoon, you explore more of this wildlife paradise by boat. Afternoons are the favoured time for elephant herds to make their way to the river, and Chobe’s population is legendary. In the river launch you are able to approach hippo, crocodiles, buffalo and hopefully elephant for excellent viewing – arguably one of the best wildlife activities in Southern Africa. (BL)

Today is free for optional excursions. For the daring, Victoria Falls is the adrenaline sports Mecca of Africa and there is a wide choice of high adventure activities to choose from such as white water rafting (minimum 18 years old), helicopter rides, and canoeing (minimum 12). For the less adventurous, activities include a gentle river cruise, bush walking, elephant-back safaris and game drives. If you want to escape it all, why not simply relax and wander along the paths through the spray-generated rainforests that flank the gorge. (B)