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Delta walking safaris
This special program maintains the luxury associated with its classic safaris under canvas and also allows for a first hand interpretative bush experience, with the emphasis on learning and better understanding the secrets of the Okavango Delta. No more than 6 guests can participate, and their stay is in small and carefully located private campsites, serviced by a handful of attentive staff.
The focus is on the original style of safari. The finest way to discover the Delta is on foot overland, and by mokoro through the abundant meandering and secret waterways. Guests are accompanied at all times by a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and qualified guide. The staff move the camp each day as guests journey through a true wilderness territory devoid of roads or tracks, exploring a pristine landscape. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the luxury and romance of the original classic safari, and to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the magnificent Okavango Delta at first hand..
Some facts for Delta walking safaris
Accommodation: A maximum of three spacious twin bedded, insect proof, double fly tents with sewn in floors. Each tent has its own adjacent enclosed bucket shower and long-drop lavatory facility. Daily laundry is included. Dining is in an elevated mess tent where waiters serve drinks complete with ice and lemon, and menus similar to those on offer at Shinde Island Camp. Guests are encouraged to relax before and after dinner around a blazing campfire.
Activities: As this is a foot safari, activities mainly comprise of walking Game viewing in mokoros (local canoes). We recommend a walking safari for the adventurous as a complement to staying at conventional lodges. Typically guests arrive by mokoro canoe, having landed at the nearby Shinde airstrip, or alternatively are driven overland by Toyota Land cruiser to either Leopard Camp or Wild Dog camp. The walking safari programme is all about total flexibility and guests can choose from walking between camps, or using them as a base to explore the surrounding area and its wildlife with transfers across country by vehicle. During the walks emphasis is placed on explaining the fine detail of the Delta ecosystem, as well as the sensational experience of walking to within yards of wild game. These walks need not be especially strenuous and are especially suitable for anyone undertaking a walking safari for the first time. There is a Toyota land cruiser available for night drives and game drives also, by special arrangement through Wild and Exotic. There is also the opportunity to fish for the abundant species that inhabit the permanent waterways - and to have your catch skillfully prepared over the open fire.
Cash: Whilst there are no additional expenses after leaving Maun, guests may wish to have small denomination $US or local Botswana Pula available for staff gratuity at their discretion.
Children: Children cannot be accepted on walking safaris until they are at least sixteen years old, unless by special prior arrangement through Wild and Exotic.
Clothing
List:
Clothing list will be sent on request. A free laundry service is provided.
Drinks: All cordials and sodas, beers, spirits and wines are
included in the price, and campsites on walking safaris are accompanied by well
stocked bar - just in case, Wild and Exotic will ensure plentiful supplies of
your favourite tipple if notified in advance. Ice and lemon
is supplied for drinks.
Duration: In order to fully appreciate everything that the walking safaris have to offer, we recommend a minimum trip of three nights - however guests can stay for as long or as short a timeframe as they wish.
Game: Game that you are likely to see includes elephant, lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, kudu, impala, hippo, spotted-necked otter, hyena, sable, wild dog, lechwe and other plains game. Although you walk amongst potentially dangerous animals, your guides is knowledgeable and conversant with the habits and likely reactions of the game in any situation, and guests will have been briefed as to the procedure when approaching on foot.
How to Get There: Most major airlines fly direct to Johannesburg with early morning arrival times that allow sufficient time to catch the daily connecting flight to Maun. Guests arriving from Maun Airport, will be met and transferred to Northern Air for a 30-minute flight to the Shinde airstrip, located at Coordinates 19°05.86"S and 23°10.24"E. From there they have the choice of travelling overland to one of the fly camps, a journey of some thirty minutes, or alternatively completing their journey by water in a traditional dug out canoe (mokoro). It is a 20-minute road transfer to the camp. Wild and Exotic are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (license number 6445) to sell the international flights necessary for this itinerary. Please contact us for further details and our recommended airlines.
Insurance:
Whilst we carry public liability insurance and take all possible care, we
strongly advise you to have full medical and holiday insurance. Wild &
Exotic Sport can arrange this if instructed.
Location: Delta walking safaris are based out of two fly camps within the strictly private Shinde concession of the Okavango delta, called Wild Dog Camp and Leopard Camp. Both are situated besides permanent waterways, beneath shady tees and in lovely attractive sites.
Meals: The mess is raised on a platform, with optional tented coverings. Dining normally takes place under a canopy of trees by day, or beneath the stars by night, which is a magical experience in itself. The highest standards of imaginative table settings and delicious meals prepared by experienced safari chefs are still maintained deep into the bush. Menus include freshly baked bread, fresh fruit and vegetables. A well-stocked bar and ice. Lighting is available in each tent from gas lamps. Paraffin lamps provide lighting at the dinner table
Number of guests: Walking safaris groups are restricted to just six individuals, however the reality is often an exclusive walking safari for the benefit of just one or two guests.
Safety:
Every safari is carefully planned to ensure guest's
safety is maintained. An armed guide accompanies guests
on all walking safaris and expeditions into the bush
and visitors will be given a full safety briefing
before departing on walks, outlining the procedure for
approaching game on foot. VHF radio contact with base
camp is maintained at all times should there
be a need for urgent medical attention, or even evacuation by aircraft. A
comprehensive first aid kit will be taken at all times. Malaria prophylactics
are encouraged, as is any personal medication that could be required once on
trek. Personal medical insurance is essential.
Single Supplement: Is only charged for those not able to share a tent
Terrain: The terrain is flat open floodplain, dotted with palm islands. The vegetation varies according to the seasons, and the availability of rain. There are also extensive areas of woodland and acacia scrub, often with delightful glades and clearings. Waterways are fringed by different species of reed and papyrus.
Weather: The optimum time of year to visit the Delta is between May and September, during the "winter" months when temperatures are warm beneath clear blue skies by day (high seventies) and cool at night, although the weather is often equally as pleasant in March and April. The temperature becomes very hot in November, and there is also the likelihood of rain. Floodwater feeding into the Delta from Angola by way of the Okavango River, normally arrives during the month of June - this has the effect of rejuvenating the landscape and filling up non-permanent water channels with clear water.
Prices and availability
Please contact Wild and Exotic for up to date prices and availability on Delta walking safari programmes.
