Eagle Bird
Botswana’s Jewel In The Crown, The Okavango Delta Safari
Okavango Delta Safari
For even the most widely travelled safari-goer an Okavango Delta safari offers one of the finest ways to see wildlife and explore a unique environment.
Seasonally fed by runoff from rains in the Angolan mountains and sometimes referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown of Botswana”, the Okavango Delta’s 7000 square mile complex of waterways and wetlands is fascinating; one of the great ecological wonders of Africa. botswana luxury Apart from the Okavango Delta being an area of extreme beauty it is an incredible place to visit during and after the floods. Thus seasonally transformed, the floodplains lie entirely under shallow water during the flood season of the middle of the year, when travelling and game viewing by mekoro, the local wooden poled canoe, comes into its own, before gradually drying out.
An Okavango Delta tour is stunning, especially when properly created to suit the exact requirements of the individuals concerned. There are so many ways of exploring the Delta: by vehicle (when possible) or, better, on foot or by mekoro as used by the river folk for centuries; a wonderful, silent, evocative mode of transport from which to explore these pristine waterways with the heavy scent of waterlillies permeating the air. By mekoro, just above water level, one can search the vibrant, multi-hued, undergrowth and marvel either at colourful reed frogs hanging on the very end of a papyrus stalk or the myriad nests of the carmine bee eater. With splayed hooves, specially adapted to walking on reeds and lily beds, a glimpse of the rare, shy and elusive Sitatunga antelope would be an excellent “spot”. In contrast, one can view wildlife in close proximity by 4×4 vehicle; these are open and thus allow the various scents of the bush, such as the marvellously pungent wild sage, to be fully appreciated.
The wildlife is always superb on an Okavango Delta safari. okavango delta safariThe Moremi Game Reserve is part of the region and is renowned not only African Wild Dog, the continent’s most efficient predator, but also for its elephant population, cheetah and lion. There are approximately 450 bird species including many wetland and wader species of which really wonderful spots are specials such as the white backed night heron and Pels Fishing Owl whilst the more common African Jacana use the lily pads as their highway; no-one can leave an Okavango safari without falling in love with the superb birds! An evening spent watching the otters frolicking would be another memorable event!
There is a wide choice of places to stay! All are wonderful, ranging from having your own guide staying in a simple – but most comfortable – private bedroll camp on your own island through lovely-yet-moveable “proper” tented safari camps on a private mobile camping safari to the permanent, luxurious lodges and camps which are dotted throughout the Delta. safari to botswanaOne of my favourite areas within the northern reaches of the Delta is the strip of riverine bush more commonly known as the “panhandle” (this is where the Okavango River runs into the Delta and it gets its name from the shape of the ecosystem which forms a saucepan picture when viewed from space. Here in the panhandle there are great concentrations of the wonderful African Fish Eagle, with their haunting cry, and the fishing for the very sporting Tiger Fish is exceptional.
One of the most wonderful and humbling experiences on earth is walking with elephants; one can spend time with a trio of habituated elephants in the company of a leading authority on the African Elephant and this is a very special activity on a luxury Okavango Delta safari! As one of the most beautiful places on this planet the Okavango Delta should, simply, be on everyone’s “once in a lifetime” list.
Real birds eye view! Golden Eagle in flight – Animal Camera – BBC
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