posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26
Okavango Delta Safari
An Okavango Delta safari offers one of the finest ways to see wildlife and explore a unique environment for even the most widely travelled safari-goer.
The Okavango Delta (sometimes referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown of Botswana”) is fascinating because its 7000 square mile complex of waterways and wetlands are one of the great ecological wonders of Africa, seasonally fed by runoff from rains in the Angolan mountains. botswana luxury Apart from the Okavango Delta being an area of extreme beauty it is an incredible place to visit during and after the floods. The floodplains, thus seasonally transformed after the dry season, lie entirely under shallow water during the flood season of the middle of the year; it is then that travelling and game viewing by the local wooden poled canoe, or mekoro, comes into its own.
Always stunning, an Okavango Delta tour is even better when properly created around the exact requirements of the individuals concerned. There are so many ways of exploring the Delta: by vehicle (when possible) or, better, on foot or by mekoro as used by the river folk for centuries; a wonderful, silent, evocative mode of transport from which to explore these pristine waterways with the heavy scent of waterlillies permeating the air. By mekoro, just above water level, one can search the vibrant, multi-hued, undergrowth and marvel either at colourful reed frogs hanging on the very end of a papyrus stalk or the myriad nests of the carmine bee eater. With splayed hooves, specially adapted to walking on reeds and lily beds, a glimpse of the rare, shy and elusive Sitatunga antelope would be an excellent “spot”. If one wishes to view wildlife in close proximity by open 4×4 vehicle this is possible and, whilst one has the noise of the engine, they do allow the various scents of the bush to be fully appreciated, such as the marvellously pungent wild sage.
An Okavango Delta safari has superb wildlife. okavango delta safariRenowned not only for its elephant population but also for cheetah, lion and the African wild dog (the continent’s most efficient predator), the Moremi Game Reserve is part of the Okavango Delta region. There are approximately 450 bird species including many wetland and wader species of which really wonderful spots are specials such as the white backed night heron and Pels Fishing Owl whilst the more common African Jacana use the lily pads as their highway; no-one can leave an Okavango safari without falling in love with the superb birds! I remember spending a memorable evening watching the otters in the waterway below my tent, a superb sight!
In terms of where to stay there is a plethora of choice! From a simple – but most comfortable – private bedroll camp on your own island with a personal guide through lovely-yet-moveable small tented “proper” safari camps on a private mobile camping safari to the luxurious lodges and permanent camps which surround – and are dotted through – the Delta, all are wonderful. safari to botswanaGetting it’s name from the fact that the whole ecosystem looks like a saucepan from space, one of my favourite areas within the northern reaches of the Delta is the strip of riverine bush known as the “panhandle”; this is where the Okavango River runs into the Delta. In the panhandle the fishing for the very sporting Tiger Fish is exceptional and there are great concentrations of the wonderful African Fish Eagle, with their haunting cry.
One of the most wonderful and humbling experiences on earth is walking with elephants; one can spend time with a trio of habituated elephants in the company of a leading authority on the African Elephant and this is a very special activity on a luxury Okavango Delta safari! As one of the most beautiful places on this planet the Okavango Delta should, simply, be on everyone’s “once in a lifetime” list.
