OKAVANGO DELTA HOLIDAY REVIEWS
Okavango Delta
In a natural cycle as old as time the delta of the Okavango River in north-west Botswana floods each year, the waters spilling across the desert to form lagoons, channels and islands, where wildlife of all sorts gather in profusion. This is thus the ideal place to go, between May and October, for a game-viewingmore
In a natural cycle as old as time the delta of the Okavango River in north-west Botswana floods each year, the waters spilling across the desert to form lagoons, channels and islands, where wildlife of all sorts gather in profusion. This is thus the ideal place to go, between May and October, for a game-viewingmore
Andrew. Date of travel: Feb 2005
Although the dry season is usually the recommended time of year to visit the delta for game viewing, the region is still an attraction for bird lovers who will not mind the long grass and abundance of water. We camped at Xakanaxa in the Moremi Game Reserve and took a motor boat to Gedikwe Island in the delta where we spent a night and did a game walk. The boat trip was amazing in itself - you can sit up high on the roof and so see over the long grass to where the giraffe, elephant and antelope are, but the best thing was the variety of bird life we saw. Camping on a small island in the middle of the waterways was an incredibly wild and unique experience - we were surrounded by grunting hippos, had baboons in the trees and saw and heard elephants drinking and trumpeting just across the narrow channel from us. Our game walk on a larger island took us through a family group of elephants and directly below a pair of beautiful fish eagles in the trees. Tour Operator: Waterways
Although the dry season is usually the recommended time of year to visit the delta for game viewing, the region is still an attraction for bird lovers who will not mind the long grass and abundance of water. We camped at Xakanaxa in the Moremi Game Reserve and took a motor boat to Gedikwe Island in the delta where we spent a night and did a game walk. The boat trip was amazing in itself - you can sit up high on the roof and so see over the long grass to where the giraffe, elephant and antelope are, but the best thing was the variety of bird life we saw. Camping on a small island in the middle of the waterways was an incredibly wild and unique experience - we were surrounded by grunting hippos, had baboons in the trees and saw and heard elephants drinking and trumpeting just across the narrow channel from us. Our game walk on a larger island took us through a family group of elephants and directly below a pair of beautiful fish eagles in the trees. Tour Operator: Waterways
Mike and Shona. Date of travel: Mar 2004
Basically we tried to do the delta on the cheap by not flying in and going in the off-season, but if you want to see the game and really experience the Okavango then I wouldn't recommend doing it this way. Although we had a good time we didn't see any wildlife other than a snake which fell out of a tree onto the ground in front of us and after 3 days we had had enough of "game walks" and paddling around in our mokoro (wooden canoe) to different camping areas. The off-season is also the rainy season and the grass along the banks of the delta is so high that nothing can be seen from the mokoro - the animals retreat far into the delta anyway. The better time to go is when the grass is short and dry and the game come to the water to drink. I would also recommend flying into the delta as you get right in there instead of skirting around the edges.
Basically we tried to do the delta on the cheap by not flying in and going in the off-season, but if you want to see the game and really experience the Okavango then I wouldn't recommend doing it this way. Although we had a good time we didn't see any wildlife other than a snake which fell out of a tree onto the ground in front of us and after 3 days we had had enough of "game walks" and paddling around in our mokoro (wooden canoe) to different camping areas. The off-season is also the rainy season and the grass along the banks of the delta is so high that nothing can be seen from the mokoro - the animals retreat far into the delta anyway. The better time to go is when the grass is short and dry and the game come to the water to drink. I would also recommend flying into the delta as you get right in there instead of skirting around the edges.
Bruce Whittaker. Date of travel: Apr 2001
It is possible to spot wildlife on the outskirts of the Okavango Swamp but it's true that you will see much more if you go deeper in. I've been on a day trip and managed to see the normal antelope species and a group of three elephants really close up. Our guide took me to within 20 metres of them. But remember not to wear anything red. My wife had to stay farther back because she had a red shirt on and the guide was worrried the elephants would see that. If you want to find out what other people experienced who went a little deeper into the Okavango Swamp, head over to African Safari Journals. Tour Operator: Day Trip
It is possible to spot wildlife on the outskirts of the Okavango Swamp but it's true that you will see much more if you go deeper in. I've been on a day trip and managed to see the normal antelope species and a group of three elephants really close up. Our guide took me to within 20 metres of them. But remember not to wear anything red. My wife had to stay farther back because she had a red shirt on and the guide was worrried the elephants would see that. If you want to find out what other people experienced who went a little deeper into the Okavango Swamp, head over to African Safari Journals. Tour Operator: Day Trip
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