How to Visit Botswana’s Okavango Delta
There was never any doubt that I would do Okavango Delta while in Botswana. It was one of the things that I’d actually had time to read about and I was very much looking forward to it. I’d heard such great things from anyone who had been so the decision wasn’t hard.
The Okavango Delta is Botswana’s premiere tourism attraction with good reason. Its accessible most easily from Maun which is simple to get to and you can choose your trip duration according to your budget.
Read on for everything you need to know to visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
My Trip To The Okavango Delta
I decided to splash out and instead of doing the $140 trip which entailed taking all our own gear, cooking equipment, food and then of course cooking it all ourselves, Do and I decided to splurge and do the $280 trip. That meant all we had to take was our personal clothes and everything else was provided.
Our tour was run by a local operator Kandi and his team and was well worth the money that was for sure.
It turned out to be a great decision! An excellent decision actually. It was one of the best three days I’ve ever had.
Starting The Trip From Maun Via Fast Boat and Then Mokoro
We got picked up from our campsite in Maun and taken to a local riverside bar and restaurant where we met the boat driver, paid our money and got on a fast boat to take us up the river.
We had a 40 min journey up the river and then pulled up on the banks alongside the local village called Boro. At that point we met our head guide Kandi and his team.
They proceeded to load up Mokoro’s (traditional timber canoes) with all the camping and cooking gear, added the food and the staff and off we went. We all had our own Mokoro with our own poler and spent the next hour and a half gliding through the delta on the way to our camp.
We floated by water lilies, birds, bugs, spiders, reeds and fish. A supremely relaxing way to settle into the Okavango.
Walking Safaris In The Okavango Delta
Over the course of the next few days we spent hours with Kandi walking on islands, following elephants, giraffes and zebra. Each day we would head off in the morning early after breakfast and do a few hours walking safari in different parts of the delta each day.
It is so surreal walking through the grasses, looking up and watching an Elephant stroll by in the distance. The animal life is diverse but dense. We saw so many Zebra’s, Elephants, Water Buffalo and especially Giraffe herds.
It is surprising that there is so much dry land when you feel like you are literally surrounded by water. The wildlife is plentiful and easy to spot if you have a good guide.
We would come back for lunch at camp before an early afternoon rest. I initially thought this was a bit of overkill but the few hours of rest each afternoon was really lovely.
After our rest and a cup of tea, we headed out again, either on a walking safari, or for a swim in the waters of the Okavango Delta.
Swimming in the Okavango Delta!
We swam in the “Kandi approved” water hole, fluctuating between terror at the fact that we were swimming in the crocodile infested Okavango and bliss at the fact we were swimming in the Okavango Delta!
Kandi insisted we were safe but that was overshadowed by the fact that he also came in to swim in a way that didn’t feel like a vote of confidence and felt more like an “omg I better make sure these tourists don’t get eaten” type of thing…
In saying that though, it was pretty cool water which crocs hate, and I am still here to tell the tale!
Regardless I swam in the Okavango Delta!
Tour Differences
After we got back to the truck after our trip, we found out that because we had paid the extra money we went much further into the delta than the other group who had chosen the budget version and that was why we saw so much wildlife.
Our Camp in Okavango Delta
Our tent and bedding were like luxury for us after sleeping on roll matts for months on end. Real foam mattresses and a tent we could stand up in. Even a toilet seat over our latrine hole. Like I said, luxury to us after bush camping around West Africa for over 6 months.
The food was wonderful and for the most part prepared by our lovely cook Esta. She was also a pretty good fisherwoman and caught our dinner most days.
The three days passed in no time and it wasn’t long before we were poling back through the delta to the village.
On the way back to Maun, Kandi very generously gave us a personal tour of the village which proved to be a very fun way to spend a few hours. The local football team was playing another village and the locals were enthralled with the fact that Do and I were actively supporting their team. We were quite the draw card. It was very refreshing to see a local village that was clean, tidy and very well kept.
How many days in Okavango Delta do you need?
I would personally recommend at least 3 days. The boat trip in and out takes a few hours each way by the time you do the fast boat and then the Mokoros so you arrive in time for lunch usually.
3 Days will give you that afternoon, a full day the next day and the morning of your final day to explore, do safaris, learn to pole a mokoro and get in some wonderful relaxation as well.
If you have limited time it is still worth doing it, however just be aware that you might not see the range of animals as less time would mean you don’t go as far into the delta.
How To Get To The Okavango Delta
The main jump off point for the delta is Maun. You can get flights to and from Maun via a few cities in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and starting in June 2024, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Almost all Okavango Delta tours start in Maun. A lot of the tour operators have relationships with the local accommodation so if you are doing a quick trip, they can organise the night before and after your trip in Maun.
If not, a few options for hotels in Maun are below. As usual a budget option, mid range and of course a luxury one in case you are looking to spoil yourselves.
The day after we got back we did an Arial flight over the delta for an hour. It was stunning seeing the delta from the air and one of the best flights I’ve ever done. The pilot very kindly did a low swoop over the inland part of the delta past hippo’s, elephants and giraffes.
Overall Okavango Delta is a stunning example of an inland delta with an incredible amount of flora and fauna. It will remain one of the best national parks I’ve ever been in and I tell everyone I’ve ever met to go. You won’t regret it.
Going to Botswana and want to do the Okavango Delta?
Please consider Kandi and his team for your delta experience. I cannot fault them in any way and it was an amazing couple of days. Kandi’s Facebook Page
If booking direct with a local makes you a little nervous, consider booking through Get Your Guide which will enable you to still get a great experience with local operators but with the security of a large booking platform behind you.
3 Day Okavango Delta Tours
If you have limited time and would like to do a single day in the Delta, these tours might be more suitable for you.
Meet Jenny, a passionate Australian travel blogger who has explored 103 countries to date. With over 30 years of travel experience, Jenny has a wealth of knowledge to share with her readers about the cultures, landscapes, and people she has encountered on her journeys. She’s always battling unfashionably frizzy hair and you will never catch Jenny in anything but comfortable shoes. Learn more about Jenny and her travels.
