Okavango Delta

[lpace]

I'm not sure where to put this thread, so I put it here....

We recently got back from Africa, where the last part of the trip included a couple of river excursions. They were magical! My wife and I both fell in love with Africa's wild river systems (just something else about Africa that is AMAZING!). Anyway, we decided that a mobile safari in the Okavango Delta would be our next trip over. The thing is, the only thing I know about mobile safaris in the Okavango is that they exist.

So, for those with experience in this sort of thing - input on what to do, what to look for (and look out for) and perhaps most importantly recommendations on who to do it with, would be most appreciated!

 

[sestoppelman]

I hunted the delta many years ago, 1990 and it is magic. Hard to say now as the situation there has been ever changing and just recently reopened to hunting in some areas that were closed for a time. I would suggest talking with an agent who is familiar with the current conditions.

When you say mobile, do you mean like a foot trek or what? Hunting or non hunting? Good luck with the planning.

 

[Red Leg]

Not sure what you mean either. There is an extensive tourist safari infrastructure in the Okavango.

 

[lpace]

A non hunting safari (or I would have posted in a hunting forum). It would be part of the tourist safari infrastructure in the Okavango. The mobile part is that camp moves. That is all I know. I would like to get some recommendations regarding good outfitters that do that sort of thing.

Sorry about the confusion....

 

[sestoppelman]

Well then as I suggested, talk to a travel agent who books tourist travel there. Whatever you do though, don't miss out on some travel by makoro. The makoro is the local version of a dugout canoe basically. They are low, and unstable but put you right on the water and are usually propelled by local polers. Its an interesting way to travel the delta for at least part of the time.

 

[Red Leg]

Well then as I suggested, talk to a travel agent who books tourist travel there. Whatever you do though, don't miss out on some travel by makoro. The makoro is the local version of a dugout canoe basically. They are low, and unstable but put you right on the water and are usually propelled by local polers. Its an interesting way to travel the delta for at least part of the time.

Extremely INTERESTING even breathtaking in areas with hippo pods. And yes, I would get with a Travel Agent who knows that part of the world. I would suggest Gracy Travel as a place to start. They are specialists in booking armed travelers like ourselves, but also do all our international tourist destinations as well. They are superb.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Piqued my interest and did some research. Here's a good description and some of the camps are listed.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/botswa...as-delta/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2763b30

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

When I lived in Nigeria, many of the expats used a Cape Town based travel agency called Go2Africa.com We probably used them for 5-6 photo safaris and trips and always were impressed. The lady we used was Bonita, she was quite good.

Here's a link to Okavango Delta trips: https://www.go2africa.com/destinations/okavango-delta/tours-safaris

 

[sestoppelman]

Spent two weeks there in 1990 and plenty of time in the makoro as shown in the one pic there. That's some pretty tall papyrus and a narrow channel. I was hunting sitatunga by that method. There were 3 of us doing the same thing, IIRC, we all got one. The outfitter used then is long out of business, got kicked out of Botswana I believe for not following the rules to the letter. It was a fantastic experience overall.

 

[lpace]

Spent two weeks there in 1990 and plenty of time in the makoro as shown in the one pic there. That's some pretty tall papyrus and a narrow channel. I was hunting sitatunga by that method. There were 3 of us doing the same thing, IIRC, we all got one. The outfitter used then is long out of business, got kicked out of Botswana I believe for not following the rules to the letter. It was a fantastic experience overall.

That sounds amazing!

 

[Hank2211]

Southern Africa has an extensive RV or “caravan” (the local term) culture. There is lots of infrastructure dedicated to RV or 4x4 adventures, much of which you can find with a simple web search like “Okavango caravan adventures”. Some of these trips are with groups and a leader (safety in numbers!) and some are solo with maps and overnight points described (for the more adventurous!); some are bring your own caravan (which are easily rented) while some are all-inclusive. These ‘adventures’ can be found over the full range of costs, but all seem pretty reasonable when you’re used to North American or European prices.

There are even magazines devoted to this - see SA 4x4 Overland Adventure magazine for example. Lots of great stuff there.

 

[WAB]

We rented a camp and camped through the area last year. My buddy in Maun drove his vehicle and I drove the second. We took camp staff with us. It was amazing. I saw the mobile safari folks you are referencing, white tablecloths, crystal, etc.. they send the unimogs loaded with camp ahead while the tourists tour in the photo safari vehicles. It looks great. The groups appeared to be 20 to 30. Personally I would prefer what we did but it would be difficult to set up without friends on the ground.

 

[CAustin]

Hope to hunt the area myself someday

 

[DmacD]

My wife and I were in the Delta last May. We did a self drive tour of Namibia and Botswana and had a really great experience. We did a mixture of high end lodges and really nice tented accommodations (the "Tents" were fitted with hardwood floors and ensuite bathrooms with hot water, so not really roughing it). We had some really nice places in the Delta, did some dugout canoe trips, got close to some elephants and hippo too. We used a company called "Cardboard Box Travel" that specializes in Namibia, but booked all of our Botswana stays too. They were really good to deal with, and worked within our budget. You can google them and check out some reviews, tripadvisor, etc.
Good luck with the planning, it's part of the journey.