Safari In The Mighty Okavango Delta

the mighty okavango delta

You may know Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a world-class destination for wildlife, but did you know that this year has seen the highest rise in water levels since 1963? More water has meant even more incredible wildlife in the past few months enabling visitors to take boat rides deep into parts of the delta creating the best game viewing we have ever seen (ever). We highly recommend you check it out:  you will not be disappointed.

The Delta is made up of miles and miles of picture-perfect papyrus swamps, shallow reed plains and floodplains dotted with islands, ideal for paddling between in a traditional mokoro canoe to spy on the masses of animals there. And what’s more, the Delta is home to some of the most authentic camps (luckily without puddles) in the country, providing the perfect base for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.

start on land

We recommend starting off with three days on dry land at Chitabe in the South East. Situated on it’s own island, the view from your stilted, Meru-style tent will be jaw-dropping, looking out over the surrounding marshlands, floodplains and waterways. Spend your days in open-top 4x4 vehicles watching lion, zebra, cheetah, leopards, giraffe, impala and more, not to mention the nocturnal porcupine, civet, serval and other wild cats after dark. Night drives are one of the camp’s highlights: catching the glistening eyes of one of the big 5 in the beam of your guide’s torch is a moment you won’t forget. Request a night sleeping out under the stars for an incredible experience surrounded by the sounds of the trees and marshes at night. Totally absorbing.

hit the water

Next, take a 15 minute flight to your next stop: an area known as the Vumbura Reserve. The stunning landscapes below you on the flight will give you the opportunity for even more unique photos. Vumbura is slap bang in the middle of the Delta, and being made up of extensive flood plains dotted with small palm islands and large forested areas, is in our eyes one of the best spots for game watching in southern Africa.

Hidden inside riverine vines and waterberry trees and perched on it’s own island, Little Vumbura is an intimate, luxurious camp sleeping only twelve guests. Here you have a real sense of remoteness, while being in the middle of the wildlife action.

Waking up in your stylish, luxury tent shaded by the canopy of an ancient Okavango forest, you’ll spend your days on water safaris or in open Land Rovers, where you are likely to see everything from lions to cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra and the elusive leopard. Staying here, you’ll also have the chance to explore the surrounding waters in mokoros (or motorboats where it's deeper)  to get really close to the water. In the evening or between game viewing trips, make the most of the plunge pool and decked reading area Little Vumbura provides. This is a truly authentic game viewing experience, with a nice dose of luxury as the cherry on the top. What more could you want?

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