Active Adventures Okavango - Okavango Delta Safari

All accommodations
All hotels, safari lodges and camps are included.

All activities
Walking Safaris, game drives, and mokoro cruises/transfers.

All domestic transport
Airport transfers
All game driving
All domestic flights

All guiding services
You'll have an experienced guide with you for the entire duration, as well as specialist walking safari guides in select locations.

All meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rest assured you'll be well fed and well hydrated.

DAYS 1-4 - KHWAI RIVER, MOBILE SAFARI, GAME DRIVING

When you arrive into Maun you’ll meet your trip leader and guide, and head straight out into the wilderness. Our transport of choice is an open game-viewing vehicle, so keep your eyes peeled for your first glimpse of Botswana’s abundant wildlife. Our drive takes us along the Khwai River, an important water source for all sorts of animals in the Moremi Game Reserve – head upon head of animals come to drink from the river, drawing predators from the bush and making this area a hotbed for wildlife activity – the birdlife in this lush landscape is absolutely spectacular. We’ll arrive at our camp for the next three nights, and settle in to our en-suite safari deluxe tents. Each tent is kitted out with a hot shower, toilet, plush beds, linen, towels, and a bedside table – delicious food is cooked over an open fire by the crew and served in a mess tent. This is a ‘mobile safari’, so the crew bring everything along that we’ll need, and leaves nothing behind. They use a truck to transport the whole camp, so they’ll set us up in the best spot for wildlife encounters, this is safari in style! Of course, we’ll have experienced guides on hand at all times to keep us safe.Safaris in the wilderness of Botswana are very different from one day to the next. Our expert local guides are the best at deciding which areas of the 1800 square kilometer wilderness area to focus our attention on, and at which times of the day.A typical day on safari in the Khwai Community Area goes a little something like this: An early morning wake up call, steaming hot delicious coffee, and a hearty breakfast cooked over the fire. We’ll head out in our open 4x4 vehicles as the sun rises, either along the Khwai River, across the open plains, or off road amongst the dense bush, in search of wildlife. Off-road driving is strictly prohibited within the national parks of the Okavango, but because we’re spending our time on private reserves, it’s something we’re allowed to do, allowing us to follow the sounds on a night drive, for example - that’s pretty special!We’ll find somewhere beautifully scenic for a coffee stop mid-morning, and make our way back to camp for a hearty lunch and some relaxation until our afternoon game drive. We’ll head out again as the light changes, and becomes perfect for photography – the animals are more active at this time of day, so don’t forget your camera! We’ll have a stop for ‘sundowners’ and some nibbles before heading back to camp for a hot shower, drinks around the fire, and a delicious dinner together.Once darkness falls we may head out for a night game drive if we’re hearing any interesting calls from camp. We’ll search for Africa’s nocturnal animals, and its greatest predators, such as leopards, lions, and hyenas, all jostling for prey. Finally, we’ll return to camp for a good night’s sleep, excited for more of the same tomorrow.Wilderness Mobile Safari (All meals)

 

DAY 4 CONTINUED... - FLY TO MOREMI CROSSING, GUIDED MOKORO CRUISE

After another delicious mobile safari breakfast, it’s time to bid the camp and kitchen crew farewell and head for the Khwai airstrip. We’ll board a light aircraft bound for Moremi Crossing, it’s a short but breathtaking journey, flying over the vast delta all the way. This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to take to the river on a guided mokoro cruise, in search of hippopotamus’, elephants, and buffalo. The locals have been using the ‘mokoro’ (a traditional dug-out canoe) for generations, and are capable of navigating the shallow waterways of the delta with ease. Tonight we’ll stay at Moremi Crossing’s new camp. The camp is built on a palm-fringed island surrounded by Moremi’s game-rich seasonal floodplains, and overlooking Chief’s Island. Depending on water levels, we can do more game-spotting from mokoros at Moremi Crossing. Here we’re combining luxury and simplicity, it’s a 100% eco-friendly camp, featuring impressive solar and waste disposal technology. Your spacious en-suite tent sits on a raised deck, and you’ll have your own private veranda to enjoy the view and an evening drink.Moremi Crossing (All meals)Guided Mokoro Cruise: 2-3 hours 

 

DAY 5 - FLY TO MAUN, TRANSFER TO KOPANO CONSERVATION AREA, KAYAK THE DELTA

After breakfast this morning we’ll leave Moremi Crossing and board another light aircraft for a short flight, bound for Maun, where our trip started. From there we’ll take an open game viewing vehicule to the Kopano Conservation Area on the east side of the Delta, where we’ll meet our guides and have a briefing, before jumping into our kayaks! We’ll kayak the channels of the Delta as a group, accompanied by local guides and ‘spotters’ who’ll be keeping an eye out for interesting wildlife as we paddle along. Our ‘fly-camp’ will be set up for us close to one of the many channels of the Delta, and we’ll paddle in, arriving in style! All that’s left to do this evening is relax and enjoy a drink, before dinner, cooked on the open fire in true fly-camping fashion!Fly Camping in Kopano Conservation Area (All meals)Kayak Okavango Delta: 3-4 hours

 

DAY 6 - MORNING KAYAK EXPLORATION, WALK/MOKORO TO THIS EVENING’S CAMP

This morning we’ll be up early and enjoy steaming hot coffee and breakfast together, to fuel us for this morning’s kayaking exploration. The guides and spotters will slowly lead the way in the direction of the best wildlife viewing spots. The experts will help us locate the best points along the way for spotting animals coming down to drink by the water’s edge. Our guides will also make sure we’re always heading towards our accommodation for the next two nights, another beautifully comfortable fly-camping experience in the Kopano Conservation Area, hosted by legendary local walking safari guide, Okwa. We’ll eat a light lunch after leaving our kayaks, then it’s up to you whether you take the last leg of our journey to Okwa’s camp by mokoro, or on foot with specialist walking safari guides. Once we arrive at camp we’ll enjoy dinner together and then relax in the comfort of our lavish tents for the evening!Fly Camping in Kopano Conservation Area (All meals)Kayak Okavango Delta: 3 hoursWalk or Mokoro to Kopano Conversation: 1-2 hours

 

DAY 7 - LEARN TO TRACK GAME ON WALKING SAFARI IN KOPANO CONSERVATION AREA

Today is a day of learning - learning how to read animal tracks and follow them through the scrub. Our armed expert local guides will show us how they decipher animal tracks, and how they can be as specific as how long ago a particular animal passed by and how old it is, whether it was dragging a kill, or perhaps injured. It’s a fascinating lesson in age-old methods, and an amazing insight into the skills of the endlessly humble guides. Our day will be filled with several walking safaris, returning to camp to fuel up on delicious food at regular intervals! Today is sure to be a highlight for you, particularly since close (and safe!) encounters with large game such as elephants and hippos are likely!Fly Camping in Kopano Conservation Area (All meals)Hiking Distance: Up to 15 kilometres (9 miles), 5-8 hours

 

DAY 8 - WALK OR MOKORO OUT OF CAMP

This morning we’ll enjoy breakfast together at camp, then it’s time to head off. This morning you can choose whether to take the 3-hour journey back to the mokoro station on foot, or by mokoro. Both options are another great opportunity to view wildlife along the way, and by the time we reach the mokoro station you’ll be ready to enjoy a hearty lunch, and then simply relax whilst Okwa transfers us to our accommodation for the evening, Crocodile Camp, a few kilometres outside of Maun. Crocodile Camp is perched on the banks of the Thamalakane River, and frequented by a vast array of birdlife, as well as the occasional hippo and crocodile! Tonight we’ll be in private chalets complete with en-suite bathrooms and our own verandas where you can enjoy a sundowner. The perfect way to end the kayaking and fly-camping legs of our adventure.Crocodile Camp, Maun (All meals)Walk or Mokoro out of camp: 3 hours

 

DAY 9 - FLY TO KASANE THEN ON TO VICTORIA FALLS

After breakfast this morning we’ll head back to Maun Airport for a flight bound for Kasane in the far north of Botswana. When we arrive we’ll meet our guide and board a boat for a cruise on the Chobe River, teeming with wildlife along the banks, this river is a rich ecosystem, crucial to wildlife and tourism alike. After our river cruise we’ll grab a tasty lunch together at a guesthouse in Kasane, before transferring across the boarder to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. We’re bound for Victoria Falls, put simply, one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth. Although the falls are neither the tallest nor the widest on earth, they’re still classified as the biggest, due to their combination of width and height. Known by locals as ‘the smoke that thunders’, Victoria Falls has a flow rate of more than 1,000 cubic metres of water every second! The town of Victoria Falls, across the border from Botswana, in Zimbabwe, is often known as the adventure capital of Africa – everything from zip lining, to white water rafting, scenic helicopter flights, and bungy jumping is happening all day every day! Our hotel is the family-run Ilala Lodge, just a short walk (5-10 minutes) from the Falls. The rest of the day is yours to relax, and we’ll gather again this evening for a delicious 3-course meal at our hotel’s Palm Restaurant.Ilala Lodge Hotel (All meals)Cruise on Chobe River: 2 hours

 

DAY 10 - EXPLORE VICTORIA FALLS

This morning we’ll have a leisurely breakfast at our hotel restaurant, and meet our guide for a two-hour guided tour of Victoria Falls. Over the course of the walking tour we’ll get to numerous lookouts, including Devil’s Cataract and Dr David Livingstone’s statue close by reputed to be the first European to see Victoria Falls, as well as to viewpoints of Boiling Pot, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and finally, Rainbow Falls – the highest point on the cascade. After our walk, the next few hours are yours to explore and, if you’re feeling brave, indulge in one of the endless adrenaline-fuelled activities the town is known for!We’ll gather again mid-afternoon, and board a boat for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, complete with complementary drinks and snacks – it’s the photographer and explorer’s dream! After the cruise we’ll transfer to the Boma Restaurant, where we’ll be treated to a greeting in the local languages, Shona and Ndebele, before donning traditional ‘chitenges’ (robes). Now that we’re dressed for dinner, we’ll enjoy drinks and nibbles before taking our seats - the restaurant is partially open to the African skies, and bombards the senses with the tastes, sights, sounds, and smells of Africa, combined with the warmth and hospitality of Zimbabwe and its people. We’ll dine on a vast selection of traditional Zimbabwean dishes (or western cuisine if you’d prefer), and then enjoy an evening of entertainment, provided by Amakwezi dancers, singers, a local storyteller, and a local healer. It’s the most perfect end to our Okavango and Victoria Falls adventure.Ilala Lodge Hotel (Breakfast, Dinner)Victoria Falls Tour: 2 hoursSunset Cruise on Zambezi River: 3 hours

 

DAY 11 - DEPART

If you’re flying home today, your driver will meet you after breakfast and take you back to Victoria Falls Airport. If you’re sticking around in the town of Victoria Falls, or plan to continue on to another area or country to continue the adventure, you’ll be sure to find endless recommendations from your guides and the hotel staff.(Breakfast)