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Okavango Delta Walking Safari

Okavango Delta Walking Safari


19°43’44.3"S 23°17’55.1"E

Okavango Delta Walking Safari: Our full report

Many of Botswana’s safari camps offer morning walking safaris with the opportunity to learn about smaller ...

... creatures, markings and tracks from an expert guide. A select few safari camps focus exclusively on walking safaris, returning to a base camp after each morning and afternoon foray. The Okavango Delta Walking Safari is a multi-day walking trail in Botswana; and it includes one night fly-camping!

Unfortunately, the reserve where these walking safaris operated is no longer available to visitors. Please speak to us about other walking safari opportunities in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta Walking Safari operates in a secluded corner of the Okavango Delta, where there are hardly any roads. Plains dotted with palm-covered islands, river systems that fill with water during the Delta flood and after good rains, and tranquil lagoons typify this quiet wilderness. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and other plains game are common in the area, whilst lion and leopard are regularly seen, and wild dog occasionally pass through.

Led by an experienced and fully qualified, expert guide, and accompanied by a Bushman tracker, you'll explore this area on foot – interpreting the tracks, seeking the source of an early morning alarm call, discussing animal behavior, watching big game, and much more. Tranquil mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions are also available if water levels allow.

Day one of this four-day walking expedition begins from Maun, where you are met by your guide and driven north in a safari vehicle through rural Botswana, passing villages and cattle posts, before reaching the veterinary cordon fence that separates wildlife from cattle. The drive from Maun to the vet fence lasts almost an hour. From this point onward, your game viewing experience begins. The remainder of your journey to the base camp will take approximately one hour, depending on what you spot along the way.

The camp team will have travelled ahead of you and have everything prepared at base camp for your arrival. If there's time, you can enjoy a short walk or mokoro excursion before taking sundowners overlooking a lagoon. Your guide explains the geology and history of the Okavango Delta to you before dinner and a good nights rest in a made-up bed in your comfortable en-suite tent.

Days two and three begin with early rises so you can walk in the cool of the morning. Fresh tracks and wildlife signs set the scene, and the direction, as you set out to follow the animals. During the heat of the day you stop for lunch in the shade of a giant ebony or sausage tree. There's then time for a siesta on bedrolls set up in the shade.

Set out again as the sun starts to cool. On day two you will arrive at your fly-camp by sunset, and on day three you will walk back to base camp. Your fly-camp consists of large mosquito nets surrounding your bedrolls (two bedrolls per net), set up around a campfire. A bush toilet and shower are erected nearby, dinner is a campfire barbeque, and one of the camp team remains awake throughout the night to watch for visitors.

Day four begins with a hearty breakfast and a short walk or mokoro excursion. You then game drive your way back to the vet fence and on to Maun in time for your homeward flight, or transfer on to a safari camp.

Alternatively, speak to us about extending your time with your expert guide, and joining him on a Botswana Private Mobile Safari. You could go on to stay in Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti Marsh, Chobe National Park or the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

The Okavango Delta Walking Safari is priced to take a minimum of four people. It's perfect for a group of friends, relatives or a family. If you'd like to book as a couple, speak to us about joining an existing departure or about booking a private trip at a surcharge to the price. Families will receive a discounted rate for children under 12 years, and the itinerary will be adjusted to suit all ages in the group.


Our view

Walking safaris offer a completely different experience to game drives, and remain the purest form of safari. A four-day trail such as this, led by an expert and informative guide, can be an unforgettable and rewarding experience. For a group of friends or a small family who enjoy nature, rate quality guiding and love a bit of adventure, this expedition is highly recommended.

Tracy Lederer

Tracy Lederer

Country manager: Botswana

Geographics

Location
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
Ideal length of stay
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari is a 4-day/3-night set trail. If you opt to extend your trip, and go on to camp in other locations on a mobile with your private guide, we recommend 2-3 nights in each additional location.
Directions
The walking reserve where the Okavango Delta Walking Safari operates is reached by road transfer from Maun. This takes about 2 hours by safari vehicle, partly through rural Botswana and partly through a wildlife area.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
An early and light breakfast of muffins, rusks, tea and coffee is usually offered before heading out on a walking safari. Brunch in camp or a bush lunch is served late morning and typically consists of fresh salads, baked breads and casserole dishes.

Around mid-afternoon, a high tea of freshly baked treats is served before you head out on a walk once again. After sundowner drinks and entrees around the campfire, a three-course dinner is served around at a dining table. When staying at a fly-camp, dinner takes the form of a barbeque.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Outdoor Dining
Drinks included
Drinks are included in the cost of the safari. As there is limited cold storage space you will be asked about your preferred beverages before you travel. Plenty of bottled water is available throughout.

Special interests

Walking safaris
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari is the only multi-day walking trail offered in Botswana. You’ll stay in a very comfortable mobile camp, with one night in a more adventurous fly-camp, in a secluded wilderness where there are few roads - led by a top expert guide and a Bushman.
See ideas for Walking safaris in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children
There is no minimum age limit on this safari, but we recommend it for children aged 6 or over due to the camp’s simplicity and remoteness. The Okavango Delta Walking Safari is an excellent choice for a family group with young children who are interested in nature.
Equipment
A triple tent is available for two adults with a young child. For families of four or more, parents must divide themselves to sleep one adult and one child per tent. For older children, a dome tent can be set up right next to the parent’s larger Meru tent.
Generally recommended for children
Recommended for children with a genuine interest in nature and the outdoors. The mobile camps are simple, with only the basic amenities, so there’s little else to capture their interest if they are not outdoorsy.
Notes
The mobile camps used on this safari are unfenced and dangerous wildlife does wander through. Because of this, children must remain under their parent's supervision at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes
Recharging batteries is possible using solar power or the safari vehicle. We recommend you travel with an adaptor to a Botswana/South Africa plug point (220V), and that you carry a spare battery to use whilst the other is charging.
Communications
For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact whilst on a mobile safari in the bush. There is no mobile reception, no direct phone and no email. Your guide will carry a satellite phone to contact his office in Maun in the event of an emergency.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Your expert walking guide is first-aid trained and will carry a first-aid kit with him. For more serious emergencies you would be evacuated by helicopter to Maun. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Your expert guide carries a rifle on all walking safaris.
Fire safety

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

    Helicopter

  • Mokoro

    Mokoro

  • Night drive

    Night drive

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
Not included.
Accepted payment on location
Everything is included on the Okavango Delta Walking Safari, so apart from tips there is no requirement for money. If you would like to tip after the safari, it is best to do so in US dollars.

Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Kwara Camp

Kwara Camp

Kwara Camp's private reserve boasts land and water activities year round, with excellent game-viewing opportunities and access to permanent channels of the north-east Okavango Delta.


93% (233 reviews)
Little Vumbura

Little Vumbura

On a secluded island within a private reserve, Little Vumbura combines superb game viewing with a broad diversity of habitats in a truly picturesque setting.


96% (138 reviews)
Shinde Camp

Shinde Camp

With experienced staff and a wealth of activities, Shinde offers a traditional safari in an exceptionally varied and wildlife-rich environment.


94% (102 reviews)
Splash Camp

Splash Camp

Set in the Kwara Reserve, offering superb wildlife viewing year-round, Splash offers both land and water activities led by guides with a particular knack for tracking big game.


96% (96 reviews)
Chitabe Lediba

Chitabe Lediba

Chitabe Lediba, in Botswana's southern Okavango Delta, is a small family friendly safari camp; it offers great dry-land safaris and in our experience consistently delivers good game sightings.


97% (87 reviews)
Kanana

Kanana

In a beautiful part of the Delta, Kanana focuses on fantastic water activities and birding – including exclusive access to an impressive heronry.


95% (78 reviews)
Sandibe Safari Lodge

Sandibe Safari Lodge

The luxurious Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, beside Moremi Game Reserve, with superb big-game viewing.


94% (78 reviews)
Chitabe Camp

Chitabe Camp

In the southern Okavango Delta, the excellent Chitabe Camp concentrates on dry-land safaris in an area that we've found particularly good for wild dog sightings.


96% (69 reviews)
Shinde Footsteps

Shinde Footsteps

Small and simple, but comfortable, Shinde Footsteps focuses on walking safaris as well as game drives; it also runs a special children's programme so is particularly suitable for families.


98% (49 reviews)
Gomoti Plains Camp

Gomoti Plains

Overlooking a tributary of the Gomoti River, Gomoti Plains Camp is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a good game-viewing area.


93% (38 reviews)
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Nxabega Tented Camp

Nxabega offers a selection of both land- and water-based activities, plus very good guiding, food and service, but game viewing can be somewhat erratic.


95% (38 reviews)
Tubu Tree Camp

Tubu Tree Camp

A traditional tented camp with a distinctive tree-house feel, Tubu Tree offers some of the best game viewing in the Jao Reserve.


98% (37 reviews)
Vumbura Plains

Vumbura Plains

Indulgently stylish and luxurious, Vumbura Plains offers superb game viewing and birding on an exceptionally varied private reserve.


96% (37 reviews)
Jacana Camp

Jacana Camp

Jacana Camp is a small safari camp with an informal island feel; it is ideal for water-based activities in the Delta and offers excellent birdwatching.


99% (27 reviews)
Kwetsani Camp

Kwetsani Camp

Deep in the Delta, overlooking a floodplain, Kwetsani Camp is a small, high-end camp with good access to areas for land and water-based activities.


96% (23 reviews)
Duba Explorers Camp

Duba Explorers Camp

Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.


96% (21 reviews)
Mapula Lodge

Mapula Lodge

For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.


94% (20 reviews)
Mma Dinare

Mma Dinare

Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.


96% (19 reviews)
Duba Plains Camp

Duba Plains Camp

Duba Plains Camp is a traditional yet luxurious safari camp, best known for the thrilling lion behavior interaction that is often see during the day.


95% (19 reviews)
Pom Pom Camp

Pom Pom Camp

Amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery, Pom Pom offers idyllic mokoro trips in season, great birdwatching, and increasingly good big-game sightings, especially leopards.


95% (17 reviews)
Baines' Camp

Baines' Camp

Baines' Camp is a well-run, intimate camp in a pretty part of the Okavango, offering a range of activities and the option to spend a morning walking with elephants.


92% (17 reviews)
Stanley's Camp

Stanley's Camp

In a private concession south of Moremi Game Reserve, Stanley's Camp offers 4WD game drives, seasonal water activities and a superb elephant interaction.


93% (16 reviews)
Little Tubu

Little Tubu

Little Tubu is a new, traditional camp with just three tented chalets and a distinctive tree-house feel. The areas around it can be explored by water and land-based activities year round.


100% (14 reviews)
Pelo Camp

Pelo Camp

In a pristine wilderness environment deep in the Okavango Delta, the seasonal Pelo Camp is tented yet comfortable, with activities focusing on excursions by mokoro.


96% (11 reviews)
4 Rivers

4 Rivers

4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.


100% (11 reviews)
Xaranna Okavango Delta Lodge

Xaranna

Xaranna is a plush tented camp amongst the idyllic waterways and islands of the Delta. Each air-conditioned tent has a plunge pool. Water activities and pampering are the focus here.


90% (8 reviews)
Rra Dinare

Rra Dinare

Located in a private concession in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River, Rra Dinare is a traditional-style, well-priced camp.


94% (7 reviews)
Jao Camp

Jao Camp

In a beautiful area with fantastic water activities, Jao combines an idyllic location with high levels of luxury and service, and a top-end spa.


87% (6 reviews)
Seba Camp

Seba Camp

Seba Camp is a luxury camp in a lovely location that offers the full range of water and land safari activities, depending on the time of year. This camp is particularly suitable for families.


90% (6 reviews)
Setari Camp

Setari Camp

Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"


100% (4 reviews)
Okavango Explorers Camp

Okavango Explorers

The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.


93% (3 reviews)
Abu Camp

Abu Camp

Abu Camp is an exclusive safari camp on the western side of the Botswana's Okavango Delta - offering superb elephant-back safaris and opportunities to walk with them too.


70% (2 reviews)
Kiri Camp

Kiri Camp

Kiri Camp is the latest Okavango offering from the excellent team behind Machaba. In an exciting new location in the heart of the Delta we cannot wait to visit this new camp.


100% (1 review)
Karangoma

Karangoma

New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.


100% (1 review)
Duke’s Camp

Duke’s Camp

On a remote island within a vast private concession, the eclectic Duke’s Camp is nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains of the Okavango.


100% (1 review)
Sitatunga Private Island Camp

Sitatunga Island Camp

Tucked away in a pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, the exclusive Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based camp offering boating, mokoro trips and fishing.


100% (1 review)
Atzaro Okavango

Atzaro Okavango

With a high level of tasteful luxury promised at Atzaro, we think it will be best suited to travellers seeking a touch of pampering alongside their safari.


No reviews yet
Mokolwane

Mokolwane

Deep in the heart of the Okavango, Mokolwane promises adventure in a largely untouched area.


No reviews yet
Eagle Island Lodge

Eagle Island Lodge

Eagle Island Lodge is a luxurious camp with international-style facilities including air conditioning and intercom in each room; offering water based activities in the Okavango Delta.


No reviews yet
North Island Okavango

North Island Okavango

Deep in quintessentially “Okavango” territory, between deep-water and dry-land habitats, North Island focuses on a luxury safari experience with very good wildlife viewing opportunities.


No reviews yet
Maxa

Maxa

Overlooking the permanent Maxa Lagoon, Maxa is due to open in March 2025.


No reviews yet
Mbamba

Mbamba

Deep within the northern Okavango, the classically styled Mbamba is set to open in a wildlife-rich private concession in April 2025.


No reviews yet
Qorokwe Camp

Qorokwe Camp

Luxurious and contemporary, the relatively new Qorokwe Camp is a gem in the Okavango Delta, offering land- and occasionally water-based activities in a prime wildlife area.


No reviews yet

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