Delta Dreamin' in Botswana

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Botswana and it is to here, above any other destination, that I most long to return to. I love the wildness of the country, the incredible diversity of habitats and the superb wildlife viewing opportunities it presents, particularly in the Okavango Delta.

When I first joined Wildlife Worldwide four years ago, I introduced our Best of Botswana trip, a nine night mobile camping trip combining Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai Concession and Chobe National Park. It is a trip that I have undertaken with my wife on multiple occasions and one that has become one of our most popular small group holidays.

Building on the success of this trip, we are delighted to offer a slightly more relaxing option that will combine six nights of fully-serviced mobile camping in Khwai and Moremi, with a further three nights at Mma Dinare Lodge, located on a private 272 square kilometre concession. With exclusive use of this comfortable tented lodge we will be able to settle in and unwind, setting our own programme of activities and enjoying the benefits of being on a private concession. Night drives, mokoro boat trips and walking safaris should all be an option in this exceptionally wildlife rich area of the delta.

Image by Paul Changuion

Over the course of our nine night safari we can expect to encounter a wealth of wildlife. Large herds of elephant, buffalo and antelope species such as impala, lechwe, kudu and red hartebeest will almost certainly be a feature of the trip alongside giraffe and zebra. Inevitably with such a high concentration of prey animals we will encounter a variety of predators and we have an excellent chance of seeing lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and wild dog. During our stay at Mma Dinare we will also meet J.W. (‘Tico’) McNutt, Founder and Director of Botswana Predator Conservation to hear about the invaluable work which his team are undertaking in the area.

Birder or not, one cannot help but marvel at the spectacular range of avian species on display in the delta. Electrifying lilac-breasted rollers adorn acacia trees, cartoon like saddle-billed storks, bizarre openbills and shimmering glossy ibis patrol shallow pools, while secretary birds stalk the grasslands. All under the watchful eye of soaring vultures, bateleur, tawny and martial eagles.

As darkness falls a new cast of characters takes centre stage as civets, genets, African porcupine, lesser bushbaby and spring hares emerge from their daytime hiding. With luck we may even be fortunate enough to see some of the delta’s smaller cat species, including African wild cat and serval, or perhaps even a honey badger, reputedly one of Africa’s most fearless animals.

Whilst the potential wildlife sightings are a huge draw and a key focus of the trip, it is actually the smaller things that we take for granted at the time that I have found myself yearning for most. The smell of the campfire, the soothing repetitive coo of a Cape turtle dove and the joy you feel as the sun clears the horizon and warms your face on a cool morning drive.

Having been confined to the office for so long, I am delighted to be leading this trip with my good friend Disho – unquestionably one of the best guides in Africa. It promises to be a fantastic trip and we would love for you to join us!

Join us on our Okavango Delta Safari or on our Okavango Delta Photo Safari. To find out more or book your place contact our wildlife experts.