Experiences in Central Okavango

Go on a birding safari in the Central Okavango

As the annual Okavango floods subside, drying pools are left throughout the Central Okavango, exposing thousands of fish. This is a remarkable time for seeing water birds in abundance, as they congregate around the many fish traps in the delta to eat their full. Hundreds of species are there to be seen, including the spectacular Fish Eagle and many 'lifers'.

Track the Okavango's wildlife on a game drive

Where the glimmering waterways of the Central Okavango meet the arid Kalahari in a twist of fate, there are few better places for an epic game drive. Take your pick from a dawn or dusk (or a combination of both) safari where your expert guide will take you on a journey across the lush landscapes, splashing through shallow waterways and exploring the plains. Keep your binoculars at the ready to spot the world-famous wildlife of the Delta. Massive herds of elephant and antelope gather in the natural channels, lion and leopard are spotted often, and the flash of an African painted dog makes for a startling sight! After a steaming cuppa or celebratory cocktail to finish, you'll return to camp.

Gaze at wildlife on an Okavango boating safari

Travel the tranquil waterways and lagoons of the Central Okavango Delta in style with a boat safari. Leave the jetty as your guide weaves past tall pockets of papyrus where jewel-bright kingfishers wait to speed after a fish and banks where the wildest of creatures stop to quench their thirst - think lions, elephant and antelope alike. Hear the legends of the Delta and learn all about its four-legged residents from your knowledgeable skipper. Faster and more comfortable than a mokoro, exploring the Central Okavango by boat is always a winning choice, especially in the dry season (July to October). Enjoy the delightful views in the early morning or in the golden hours before sunset when you'll finish with feet-in-the-water sundowners.

Glide along the Okavango Delta on a Mokoro Safari

When planning your Central Okavango safari, there's sure to be one word on your lips, 'mokoro'. Many lodges offer a scenic ride on these traditional dugout canoes, where you'll depart in the early morning or late afternoon to traverse the liquid passageways with your guide at the helm. No one knows the Delta better! Take this time away from the rumble of a 4x4 to spot the smaller creatures of the Delta, from tiny, emerald frogs clinging to the reeds and vivid birdlife flitting between the papyrus. You'll also navigate round wallowing hippos and see members of the Big Five drinking on the banks. A true fluke of nature, the dry season months of July to October are when the Delta is at its fullest.

Helicopter safari from the sky in the Okavango

You'll see the Central Okavango like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless patchwork of lagoons, islands and water-logged channels, where you'll have the clearest views of the Delta's most untouched islands. You'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and fleets of red lechwe as they canter through the reeds, while pods of hippo emerge from the water like boulders come to life. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

Find smaller wildlife on a Okavango bush walk

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoofprints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand! As you explore the islands and floodplains on foot, cast your eyes to the shimmering tributaries where kingfishers may erupt from the lush banks to dive for a fish and red lechwe splashing through the water. Get a taste of the Delta wilderness on this short but sweet walk.

Go on a horseback safari in the Okavango Delta

Close your eyes and picture yourself cantering alongside a loping herd of giraffe while the reddening sun sinks behind the tall palms, casting a reflection across the flooded plains of the Central Okavango. On jeep safaris, the engine's hum creates an inevitable disconnect from the wildlife. However, approach the animals by horse (lead by your seasoned guide) and you become part of the scenery as they go about their business undisturbed, giving you unrivalled insight into their habits. Sit back in your saddle, allow the bathing elephants, splashing herds of lumbering buffalo, and nonchalantly grazing antelope to mesmerise you.