In northern Botswana, a massive sprawl of plains, rivers and marshes is hailed as one of the top places to visit to get your dose of wildlife viewing. Home to elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, lions and countless more, it’s no wonder why people go out of their way to tour the land. However, you’ll need to plan ahead for your trip to the Okavango Delta as there are different ways to tour the area and explore other activities beyond traditional safaris. Here are the best things to do in the Okavango Delta.
Courtesy of Tim Copeland/Flickr.com
Go on a boat tour
A safari doesn’t always mean hopping in a jeep. In Okavango Delta, you can join a boat tour where a skilled guide will narrate the tour and take you to some of the best spots for viewing antelopes, crocodiles, elephants and more. Several lodges and campsites offer tours, including the well known Camp Xakanaxa. Or if you prefer a more steady and intimate pace, you can join a canoe ride (guided or paddle on your own) and get up close and personal with the surrounding nature.
Okavango Delta lily (photo by Bridget Williamson)
Go on an air tour
There are quite a few small air tours available in the surrounding area where you can get an aerial view of the land. This way, you can get a glimpse of what the delta really looks like as a whole. Some of the air tours are offered in the nearby city of Maun where guests can hop on a small charter plane before taking a ride over the region. Some of the few tours worth looking into include Major Blue, Mack Air, Wilderness Air and Kavango Air. If you’re staying in a remote lodge, chances are, there’s an air tour that will take you directly to your camp.
Courtesy of cycleokavangodelta.com
Go cycling
Not everyone is down with this idea, but it’s becoming a popular activity among tourists to explore the Okavango Delta. Cycle Okavango Delta is a bike touring company that will lead its guests on a route where you can see lions, buffalo, zebras and other year-round residents. The tour will also take you near a river where you can go sightseeing for hippos and fish eagles. The tour will go at any pace you wish, so you don’t have to be in a tip top shape to join this biking safari.
Courtesy of Justin Hall/Flickr.com
Visit Little Mombo
If you’re wondering where to go to see the big cats in the region, Little Mombo is the place to be. Home to plenty of lions, leopards, cheetahs and other big cats, the area is a sanctuary for animals. It’s also the place where the Rhino Reintroduction Project took place, so Little Mombo is very dedicated to the conservation and well-being of its animals. Opt to stay overnight in Little Mombo Camp for a luxury stay in the middle of it all and take advantage of its tours.
Courtesy of Cathy T/Flickr.com
Go stargazing
Because most of the Okavango Delta is unpolluted by light, it’s a fantastic atmosphere to go stargazing once it turns dark. Make plans to stay overnight at a campsite or a lodge and head out to its outdoor deck to watch the sunset change the sky into a brilliant hue of pink, orange and purple. Once fully dark, the sky will turn into glitter, making this possibly one of the best stargazing experiences you’ll ever have in your lifetime.
Courtesy of sanctuaryretreats.com
Meet the elephants at Stanley Camp
Looking to meet the friendly giants up close? Stanley Camp in the Okavango Delta takes in elephants that were rescued from a culling and are unable to be released by into the wild. The elephants live happily on open land and are accustomed to human visitors, making it a perfect opportunity to take photos of yourself with the animals. During the visit, a guide will take you on a bush walk where the elephants roam to witness them in their daily routines and hear educational lectures on them. Tour guides Doug and Sandi Groves have been living on the premises for 30 years working hard to rescue elephants and are more than happy to give tours that take in donations toward their conservation.
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