Okavango Safari

You are met at Maun airport by office staff to guide you through the transfer process. A 25 minute helicopter transfer brings you straight to camp; flying into the delta is a special experience and the view from the helicopter is the finest way to start you safari. Other options on transfers are available, light aircraft brings you to Pompom airstrip, from which it is approximately an hour drive by vehicle or boat to camp. Lunch is served while you are given an introduction talk on safety and game viewing from horseback. This is followed by an orientation ride lasting 1-2 hours.

Kujwana Camp: You’re woken up each day an hour before dawn to ensure the best game viewing. After breakfast, take part in a game ride in the Xudum area, wading through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island. Surprise a timid reedbuck out of its dense cover on a heavily wooded island, or enjoy herds of lechwe and giraffes moving through the open spaces. This area forms seasonal marshlands and hosts a variety of exceptional birdlife. Return to camp for lunch and a siesta followed by an afternoon game drive. Enjoy sunset drinks and an evening game drive back to camp for a three course, candlelit meal.

Kujwana Camp to Mokolwane Camp: Ride from Kujwana to Mokolwane Camp, following a 30-km north-westerly route through open floodplains and scattered islands to the Matsebe River system. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island followed by siesta with camp bed, maybe a swim, then a further two hour ride to Mokolwane Camp. Arrive at sunset and enjoy a refreshing drink as you admire the stunning views over the floodpain. The open skylines of camp make for great star gazing.

Mokolwane Camp: A morning game drive to view the plethora of plains game and baboon and elephant, who thrive on the Mokolwane palms interspersing the open flood plains. Alternatively, experience the delta from a different perspective on a mokoro trip up the river, and enjoy the tranquility of the delta from the dugout canoes. After lunch and a siesta an evening 2-3 hr ride to enjoy the beautiful colors as the sun starts to sink behind the horizon.

Mokolwane to Kujwana Camp: A full-day from Mokolwane to Kujwana, covering about 35 km total. The route moves through a variety of game areas, fording the Xudum river at numerous hippo channels. The morning’s ride is about 4 hours until you enjoy a picnic lunch stop and ride another two hrs to arrive at Kujwana at sunset.

Kujwana Camp: A morning ride exploring the east of camp. Shady rain pans and thick riverine forest make this ride an ideal time to track a breeding herd of elephants. Break for a morning snack on the edge of a hippo pool before riding on into more open areas, with the cnace of picking up a herd of buffalo moving through. In the cool of the afternoon drift on the water in a mokoro past heavily scented water lilies and painted reed frogs.

Kujwana Camp: A morning’s ride exploring the western Baobab area. Small islands linked by numerous hippo channels eventually lead you onto Baobab Island. A good habitat for cheetah and breeding grounds for Carmine Bee Eaters, the summer bird visitor. Baobab Island has thick riverine forest and a good area for general game viewing (and the unexpected!).

Kujwana, with the option to sleep out: Ride east toward Beacon and Lion Islands – two very large islands in the area, cut off from Kujwana by the Qwaapu River. The area is criss-crossed with game paths.
This is a great contrast to the open flood plains. Mopane forests and acacia woodlands offer a good variety of food for elephant, kudu and giraffe. Breeding herds of elephants enjoy the security of the dense forest and should the pans be holding water, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo will also be found. Animal tracks abound, telling you what has been gone, or what you might still find.
In the afternoon, go on a bird walk with the opportunity to learn more about the traditional uses of the plans and trees of the areas. There’s the option tonight of ending in afly camp set up under the stars in a true wilderness. Bedrolls with mosquito nets will be ready and set up in individual locations with private wash stands and bush loos. Bucket and pulley showers are serviced by cheerful staff with plenty of hot water. The evening after your three course bush dinner will be spent telling stories around the fire. Then with nothing but the sound of reed frogs, nightjars, crickets, and a blanket of stars overhead, you steal off to bed with the soft glow of the fire lighting your way.

Kujwana: Start your day with the sunrise and a game drive back to Kujwana. After a hearty lunch there will be an evening ride followed by sunset drinks on the floodplain. A lovely way to end an active day.

Kujwana Camp: A morning ride brings you to the pans, a hotspot for game where you can hope to find elephant, giraffe, and large herds of zebra. Back at camp for lunch and an afternoon powerboat trip up the river to look for the allusive Pels fishing owl, or throw in a line and catch a delicious bream for dinner.

Early morning ride out of Kujwana Camp if flight times permit. Guests depart after breakfast. 20 minute helicopter ride or one hour’s game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun.