mokoro excursions

Experiences

Discover the Delta

Mokoro magic.

As you’re propelled through the reeds, look for rare birds on the water’s edge, game paths used by predators, tiny sleeping frogs. A ride in a traditional dugout mokoro offers the best water-based game-viewing experience in the Delta.

Okavango Delta mokoro adventure

Glide through the channels quietly, the rhythm of the pole in the water and birdsong your soundtrack to exceptional encounters with the Okavango Delta’s wildlife. Watch a kingfisher dash into the channel, emerging with lunch. At Wilderness Jao, experience a surreal ride in glass-bottomed mokoro, totally immersed in this wild wetland wonder.

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Maun Mokoro Trips

BEST RATES FOR MOKORO TRIPS FROM MAUN

Botswana mokoro trips.

Okavango Delta,  a natural wonder of epic proportions.

A mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta is a unique and traditional way of exploring this stunning wetland region in Botswana . A mokoro is a dugout canoe that is carved from a single tree trunk and is used as a mode of transportation in the delta's shallow waters.

The Okavango Delta is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, and a variety of bird species, and a mokoro trip is an excellent way to see this incredible wildlife up close. As the mokoro glides silently through the waterways, you will be able to observe the animals as they go about their daily activities.

The trips are guided by experienced polers who navigate the mokoro through the shallow waters and reeds. The pace is slow, allowing you to take in the breathtaking scenery and sounds of the delta, and to immerse yourself in the unique and peaceful environment.

In addition to wildlife viewing, a mokoro trip is also an opportunity to learn about the traditional way of life in the delta and to gain an understanding of the relationship between the people and the environment.

Overall, a mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta is a unique and unforgettable experience that offers a unique perspective on this magnificent wetland and the wildlife that call it home

OKAVANGO MOKORO TRIPS

Best rates for maun mokoro trips .

Our Mokoro trips into the Okavango Delta range from half day, full day, and overnight tours. Tours are scheduled to depart every week in 2024.  

BOOK YOUR MOKORO TRIP

Maun Mokoro trips

Okavango Delta Mokoro Trip. The Mokoro Day trip on the Okavango Delta is one of the most amazing trips

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Mokoro Safaris*

As the Okavango Delta floods and the water-levels rise, our safaris take to the waters. Inspired by native local people who used traditional wooden mokoros as a form of transport, a modern version of this dugout canoe is an exceptionally relaxing way to explore the reed-lined waterways and discover different creatures you wouldn’t typically see from a vehicle or on foot. *Please note water-levels may affect availability of Mokoro Safaris.

The iconic symbol of the delta

The silence of travelling in a mokoro means that birds and animals are less likely to take fright, allowing you the opportunity to capture that perfect photo and see that lesser-spotted bird.

See the Okavango Delta from a different point of view.

Access places that land vehicles can’t.

A skilled “poler” will guide your mokoro with control and dexterity.

Photographer’s dream as the silence of the mokoro lets you capture those perfect shots.

Testimonials

The Okavango Delta is an amazing place to see. We also loved the mokoro canoe tour along one of the tributaries of the delta.

From massages on my private veranda to a Moroko trip on the river - all was superb.

- Jane Bladen

One thing I would recommend is to take the Mokoro boat ride down the river. The two of you sit with a guide pushing with a long stick and you see everything from a different perspective. So peaceful and wonderful.

Soak up nature at a slower pace

Glide across mirrors of water.

Very little beats the tranquillity of gliding through narrow water channels in the company of smaller amphibians like reed frogs and dragonflies that you would usually miss out on. 

• Water-based activities are dependent on camp location and seasonal water-levels.
• Soak up a different point of view.
• Catch details that would otherwise be missed. 
• See micro colourful frogs and macro-sized elephants knee-deep in water.

From Management

Front row seats to Africa

Become one with the waters.

Your experienced Machaba Safaris guide will navigate the channels while you relax and soak up the sights and sounds. From wallowing elephants to small winged water creatures, life on the water is an aquatic world of its own.

Let us draw on our experience to craft a mokoro safari experience for you.

Learn more about mokoro safaris, more about the mokoro.

Thousands of years ago, the Bushmen used dug-out canoes to effortlessly move around the Okavango Delta. Today, eco-friendly fibreglass versions are used for game viewing safaris and the mokoro has become the iconic symbol of the Delta. Gliding over mirror-like bodies of water in one of the most idyllic spots in the world is an experience that is quite unrivalled.

Safari from the water

A little like the gondolas of Venice, your boat poler will propel your vessel around the channels and waterways of the Delta, giving you the freedom to absorb the  diversity of its wildlife species from the comfort of your seat. From plants to birds, to insects and large animals, the mokoro is the perfect place from which to view it all.

Pack for fun in the sun

It’s easy to forget about sunburn when on the water, however sunshine reflecting off a glossy surface means that you will burn from above and below your hat. Wear sunglasses, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and regularly apply a high (50+) SPF sunscreen. Slip-proof rubber-soled shoes are recommended and don’t forget the binoculars and camera.

Drink in nature's scale

The world seems a little bit bigger when viewed from the water. You will be able to appreciate the size and scale of elephants drinking and hippos and crocodiles basking – all from the safety of your boat and the protection of a highly knowledgeable Machaba Safaris guide.

Our Popular Activities

From game drives to untamed walking safaris under the care of our highly trained guides, there is always something to see and do. Experience our unique water-based activities depending on the season, and the water levels during your visit.

Game Drives

Walking Safari

Mokoro Safari*

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Let our experts help you plan your safari experience.

An Unforgettable Safari in Botswana

• Mokoro Trail Okavango Delta
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Mokoro Trail Okavango Delta -- BWDAY02

Exploring the waterways in a traditional dugout canoe (mokoro) is highly recommended and a truly unique experience. Gliding silently through clear waters that have been purified by the water lilies, reeds, papyrus and kalahari sand that gives guests an unparalleled perspective of the abundant wonders.

• Detail Itinerary
• Okavango Delta / Nature walk
• Mokoro excursion
• Bird watching
• Entrance fees to the Okavango delta
• Transport in 4X4WD game viewing vehicles Mokoro activities
• Nature walk on the island
• Pooler’s & guide fee
• Transport to & from mokoro station
• Food as per itinerary (Cooked lunch)
• Bottle Mineral water (2 per person)
• Soft drinks per (2 per person)
• Air charters and airport taxes
• Travel insurance
• Staff gratuities (at client discretion) $10 per person per day
• Game/scenic flights over the delta
• Scenic helicopter
• Boat cruise

A comfortable non participation safari for only a day. Mosu Safari Tours will provide Mokoro chairs, plates & cooler box with ice.

Experience the vast Wilderness of the Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta - One of the largest Inland water systems in the world, the Okavango Delta covers an approximate area of 16 000 square km of the Kalahari. The Kavango river rises in the Angloa’s highlands and flows though Namibia before flooding onto the soft sands of the Kalahari creating the inland delta. The flood waters of Angola take approximately 3 months to reach the borders of Botswana and may only reach the southern end of the Delta in June. This creates a unique source of water in this region during the dry season. As the surrounding game reserves are drying out the Okavango’s waters are rising attracting wildlife which remains in the area from May to October.

One of the best experiences in the Okavango Delta is to be poled along the reed lined channels in a Mokoro (dugout canoe). The water flows inland and southeast into Botswana where it fans out to form this paradise of swamps, reed, beds, flood plains, and island and long stretches of cool, clear water.

Mokoro trips have become the popular way for travelers to experience the tranquility of the Okavango Delta. A trip by ‘Mokoro’ either a traditional/fiberglass dugout canoe is central for the tourists to experience in the delta. The mokoro was introduced by the Bayei people in the 18 th century.

MOKORO FULL DAY TRIP

Our driver will pick you up where you will be accommodated at 07:30 am and transfer you to Mokoro Station. Arrive at Boro mokoro station at 08:15am on an open 4WD Safari Vehicle en route to the Delta where you will meet your local mokoro poler for a peaceful and relaxing mokoro journey taking in the sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta.

This activity is conducted by local mokoro community guide. Mokoro meaning (the traditional Aquatic mode of transport, dugout canoe) who will take you through the water channels listening to bird’s calls. Bird life is quite spectacular; Hippos and crocodiles are also a usual sight. It takes about 2 hours to reach the island. Roughly you will arrive at the Island between 10 and 11 am depending on what you saw on the way. When you arrive you take a quick rest and stretch your legs and then you take a nature walk on the Island where you will see some animals, for example Zebras, Elephant, Buffalos, Impalas, Giraffes and many more depending on the day. At times we encounter lions. Guides are very brilliant they will explain lot of things to you about the animals and the entire environment. We then have a stopover for lunch. After eating you learn how to Pooler the mokoro. From there we Poole back to the mokoro station where we find our vehicle waiting for us. We drive back to Maun where we arrive between 16.00pm and 17.00pm   

Featured Safari packages

Mokoro Safaris

Explore the water ways of the Okavango Delta in a canoe

Who should go

Where to experience it, accommodations, immerse yourself in a world unlike anything you've ever experienced.

A Botswana mokoro safari is one of the highlights of any Botswana visit. By silently moving through a labyrinth of waterways in the Okavango Delta, you can immerse yourself in your environment and gain a wonderful new perspective on the majesty of this unique habitat. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and with animal sightings both large and small possible, you soon realise why a mokoro excursion is a key ingredient to the complete Botswana safari experience.

A highlight for photographers and birders

A mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta is recommendable for both those who are discovering Botswana for the first time and those who are returning for more. It awakens the adventurer in you and lets you discover things which you may otherwise never have seen. Keen photographers and birders take special delight in a canoe safari, as they can silently approach the wildlife and birdlife without disturbing the creatures and get great angles and vantage points for amazing photographs.

• Adventurers
• Photographers
• First Timers & Returnees

The most delightful thing for me on my mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta was the sounds I heard as I was drifting along the water. I could hear the wind moving through the reeds, the chirping of the insects nearby and then, I heard the cry of an African fish eagle overhead. It was just my poler and I, exploring one of Africa’s most pristine ecosystems in the most tranquil way possible.

ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR WILDERNESS AREAS ON OUR PLANET

There is no better place in the world for a mokoro safari than the Okavango Delta. Its sparkling, shallow waters, dotted with lily pads and tremendous wildlife creates an environment that is perfect to explore in a mokoro. With an experienced local poler leading you through this maze of waterways, you are able to reach places in the Okavango Delta which cannot be accessed by vehicle and witness things which you won’t be able to see or experience anywhere else.

At certain camps in the Okavango Delta you can go on a mokoro safari pretty much throughout the year. These so-called water-based camps are located on the edge of permanent rivers and lagoons. For the rest of the Delta, the best time of year for a mokoro trip is during the dry season from May until September. Water levels are at their highest point at this time of year and temperatures are usually cooler than during the hot summer months.

May to September Best for high water levels throughout the Delta

There are various ways in which you can enjoy a mokoro excursion and you don’t always have to fly deep into the Okavango Delta to take part in a mokoro safari. Some lodges in Maun offer different mokoro activities that range from a couple of hours on the water to a whole day excursion. Mokoro excursions can usually be undertaken in the cool morning hours, or in the evening. It can even be combined with a refreshing sundowner in the evening too. There really are a number of options available to you.

The activity is naturally water-level dependent, and water-levels are at the highest point during the dry season. In other words, it is during the months of May to September where most mokoro activities are undertaken. In the Okavango Delta there are some camps however, referred to as water-based camps, which are able to offer mokoro activities throughout the largest part of the year.

THE ICONIC BOTSWANA WAY TO EXPLORE THE OKAVANGO DELTA

A Botswana mokoro safari is the most extraordinary way to experience the Okavango Delta. The calming effect which leisurely gliding on the water has is wonderfully complimented by the truly beautiful natural surroundings of the Okavango Delta. It is undoubtably one of the highlights of any Botswana safari and one of the best examples of why Botswana is a unique safari destination.

Chobe & Okavango Delta Safari

Places Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti Region, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls

from 6,050 USD per person sharing

Botswana Fly-In Safari

Places Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Khwai & Mababe Region (Moremi), Okavango Delta

from 4,810 USD per person sharing

Kalahari & Okavango Delta

Places Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Moremi Game Reserve

Price on request (RQ)

SEASONAL AND WATER-BASED CAMPS IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA

Most camps in the delta will offer canoe tours during the dry season and winter months which brings the highest water levels. There are also water-based camps at rivers, lagoons, and on islands in the heart of the delta which have water throughout the year, even during the summer months. At these camps, you can enjoy canoe safaris throughout the year. However, not all wet camps offer classic game drives. Since mokoro trips are specific to location and season, make sure to communicate to your travel expert, should you wish to do a mokoro safari so they can suggest the best accommodations for you.

Setari Camp

Rra Dinare Camp

Highlights in botswana, a traditional canoe safari in the okavango delta.

There is nothing quite like a mokoro excursion in the Okavango Delta . Once used by the local tribes for fishing and as an important form of transport, mekoro (plural of mokoro) have now become part of the quintessential Okavango Delta experience. By quietly gliding along the still waters you can witness the true magnificence of one of the largest inland deltas in the world and observe amazing wildlife moments.

A mokoro safari is a classic activity and highlight on any safari in the Okavango Delta.

You can see spectacular birdlife and other wildlife sightings while on your mokoro trip.

The polers will explain safety measures and how to sit comfortably in this traditional canoe.

What is a mokoro?

A mokoro is the perfect vehicle to navigate the channels, waterways, and floodplains of the Okavango Delta. These traditional dugout canoes used to be made from the trunk of a sausage tree. Some mekoro are still made according to traditional methods, however most are made from fibreglass these days in order to better preserve the natural environment. This way the mokoro lasts longer and no sausage trees need to be cut down.

On the boat’s stern (rear of the boat) stands a “poler” who, with the help of a long pole (also known as “ngashi” in the local language), can steer and propel the canoe forwarded. This takes a considerable amount of skill to do effectively and years of practice to perfect. Most polers grew up in the Okavango Delta region and have not only mastered this skill, but also know their way through this labyrinth of channels like no other. Inside the mokoro there usually is one or two seats for guests to sit comfortably on while they float gently along the calm waters.

What makes a canoe safari in the Okavango Delta special?

The main difference between a mokoro safari and most other safari activities is the fact that you move almost silently through the water. You hear only the soft sounds of water sliding of your poler’s pole. The remainder of the sounds you hear are those of the nature around you. The fact that your craft does create any engine noise means that potential animals nearby are not disturbed and you can silently observe them from a unique perspective.

You can encounter a variety of wildlife on a mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta, ranging from tiny reed frogs or dragonflies zipping over the water to larger animals such as hippos, crocodiles, and elephants. From your boat, you can really appreciate the size of an African elephant, even more so than when you are seated in a vehicle. If you are lucky, you might even encounter the rare sitatunga antelope too. They are known to be very shy, but in a mokoro, you have the chance to silently approach them.

Is a mokoro safari safe?

Botswana mokoro safaris have the reputation of being a fairly risky activity to undertake on account of the many hippos living in the Okavango Delta and their widely reported grumpy nature. The bottom line is that when dealing with wild animals, there is always a certain element of risk involved due to an animal’s rather unpredictable nature. Fortunately, you will never be alone on a mokoro safari, as you will always have an experienced poler with you to guide you on your adventure. Due to the fact that your poler is standing, he has a better vantage point of your surroundings. He can see what lies ahead and would never take any unnecessary risks or put you in harm’s way.

What to see on a mokoro canoe safari?

Many describe a Botswana mokoro safari as the most relaxing way in which to explore the Okavango Delta. This is one of the reasons why it is so popular with guests. Also, because you are so close to the water level, you can get stunning wildlife photography angles. Through the silent approach, birders have the chance of encountering a wide varied of birds, some of which are commonly found in the Okavango Delta but rarely spotted elsewhere. The Okavango Delta is home to over 400 bird species, and you can enjoy excellent bird viewing throughout the whole year.

Lean back and enjoy the silent ride

Your silent approach may get unnoticed

Few other activities say Botswana like a mokoro trip

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Mokoro Ride

The Mokoro is a common type of canoe used to move around in the Okavango Delta's shallow waters. Oarsmen stand in the stern and push with a pole. Traditionally, Mokoros are dug-out from trunks of a large straight tree, like ebony or kigelia. For conservation purposes, they are now more predominantly made from fibreglass.A Mokoro ride in the Delta is an absolute "must-do" activity, even if it at first seems terrifying. The almost silent form of transport allows travellers to move through the waterways and get closer to wildlife than they would normally. All guides learn to handle a Mokoro at a very young age - as early as seven years old - making them expert-polers by the time they are adults.  

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Mokoro Experience on the Khwai River

An “unparalleled aquatic adventure” on the khwai river.

With a size of 16,000 square kilometers, the fan-shaped waterways, swamps, and grasslands of the Okavango Delta in the northwest of Botswana are a sight to behold from above. But there is another vantage point from where to explore the world’s largest inland delta and the region’s incredible and diverse wildlife – just a few centimeters on top of the water’s surface, in a traditional mokoro.

The Mokoro experience hold significant cultural and historical importance in Botswana, as they have been used by local communities for centuries. These trips not only serve as a means of transportation but also play a crucial role in preserving traditional knowledge and practices. They offer an opportunity for locals to connect with their ancestral roots, learn about the ecosystem, and pass down indigenous wisdom to future generations.

The Mokoro experience also contribute to the sustainable tourism industry in Botswana, allowing safari-goers to learn more about the region’s rich cultural heritage. By supporting local guides and operators, tourists help create economic opportunities for the community while also promoting the conservation of natural resources.

A mokoro is a traditional canoe made from a hollowed-out tree trunk. It is propelled forward by poling, where a guide stands at the back of the mokoro and pushes it through the shallow waters using a long pole. It allows the poller to navigate through the narrow channels and waterways of the Delta, exploring the diverse wildlife and vegetation that thrive in this unique ecosystem.

Mogotlho Safari Lodge

Bordered by the Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, the prime position of Mogotlho Safari Lodge on the Khwai River makes it the ideal choice for the conscious safari enthusiast looking for the quintessential mokoro excursion. Mogotlho offers guests the opportunity to embark on these guided water-based safaris, where they can witness the beauty of the Okavango Delta up close and personal.

Departing from Mogotlho and with experienced polers leading the way, safari-goers glide silently through the waterways on the Khwai River, immersing themselves in the tranquillity of nature. The gentle swaying of the mokoro and the rhythmic sound of poles dipping into the water create a soothing melody that harmonizes with nature’s symphony. From graceful elephants and majestic hippos to colorful bird species like the African fish eagle and vibrant kingfishers, there is an abundance of wildlife to spot along the way. Each sighting offers a glimpse into the intricate ecosystem that thrives in this untouched wilderness.

A mokoro experience on the Khwai River with Mogotlho’s experienced polers leading the way has been described as an “unparalleled aquatic adventure”. 

“The river was like glass, inviting in its still tranquillity. It was hard to imagine there was a world of wildlife thriving beneath … We climbed into our wooden mokoros to the iconic African sound of the hippopotamus, immersing ourselves in the elements yet again … Floating along the Khwai River you literally feel part of your surroundings, a true immersion in the natural world. We paddled past an array of aquatic birdlife as well as the smaller plains game drinking at the river’s edge …

” … a herd of elephants awaited our arrival. Quenching their thirst from the midday heat, they drank deeply while allowing us to observe, looking up from water level … Hearts in throats we sat, mesmerized. We were completely engulfed in the smells and sounds of these magnificent creatures, their rumblings vibrating through the mokoros, into our feet, settling into our memories … Our guide quietly explained the dynamics of an elephant family – intelligent, aware and gentle within their fold. What an honour to share such an up close and personal encounter with these giants, wise and intentional in their ways.”

(As relayed by Kassandra E’Silva)

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Okavango Encounter – Mokoro Excursion

Game drives in moremi & explore the okavango delta by mokoro.

The Okavango Encounter is a great safari package that will let you explore the unique Okavango Delta and the renowned Moremi Game Reserve.

Offering day trips and excursions, the Okavango Encounter safari is an exciting introduction to this fascinating region and the wildlife that make it their home.

Experiencing this remarkable area from land and water will leave you with great memories that will last a lifetime.

From BWP18,400

Arriving at Island Safari Lodge in the afternoon, will allow you to relax and enjoy some time by the pool or the lodge bar and restaurant.

Located on the banks of the Thamalakane River, Island Safari Lodge is shaded under a huge canopy of large trees, the lodge overlooks the river and floodplain beyond.

Island Safari Lodge is set on a 300 acre private island reserve with several walking trails running through the bush, perfect for a nature walk.

Accommodation is inclusive of a buffet dinner. All extras such as beverages and alcohol can be purchased from the lodge bar and restaurant. The guest rooms are comfortable, set in the lodge gardens with air conditioning, wi-fi and TV.

Meal Plan: All meals included

For this excursion, we will meet and depart from Island Safari Lodge by 6:00 am. We will head north towards Moremi Game Reserve for approximately 45 km. From this point on we will be starting to enjoy the rich and diverse fauna and flora this area is famous for.

We will spend the day exploring this wildlife rich and diverse area enjoying the scenery and capturing these moments in our minds and experiencing the photographic opportunities of a lifetime.

We then continue to explore the area for the rest of the day. We arrive in Maun late afternoon, where you are welcome to enjoy sunset drinks and dinner at Island Safari Lodge restaurant.

Departing from Island Safari Lodge after a wholesome breakfast this trip heads north 45 minutes on water up to an area called the Boro.

On arrival at The Boro you will be transferred into mokoro dugout canoes. Guided by local qualified guides and polers you now enter into low poling mode for the rest of the trip. The rest of the day is spent poling and exploring the channels of the Okavango Delta with its array of aquatic life and breathtaking beauty.

Glide past the islands that dot the delta and the surrounding channels for a unique experience that sets you amongst nature.

Arriving back at Island Safari Lodge for the afternoon, we include a sunset boat cruise on the Thamalakane River. The cruise includes some snacks, but any extra beverages and alcohol can be purchased at the lodge bar and restaurant for you to take with on the cruise.

On this morning check out after having enjoyed a wholesome breakfast. We can arrange a transfer for you to the airport for your onward travel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast (lunch and dinner not included)

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Mokoro Adventures in Botswana

• Safari Insights

Make your Botswana safari a memorable experience by exploring the Okavango Delta with mokoro adventures . The mokoro canoes are made from the dug-out trunks of large trees. The local Botswana people that hand-make these mokoros have become experts in this craft, making it their main source of income. Supporting this venture and travelling on hand-made mokoros are recommended for a Botswana safari.

The mokoros are guided by a poler who steers the canoe. He uses a method of propulsion (pushing a pole into the water beneath the mokoro) to navigate along the river. This method of propulsion decreases any negative impacts on the sensitive water environment below. It is a great way to explore the Okavango Delta, Botswana national parks, the beautiful surroundings and a great variety of African wildlife.

• Okavango Delta

Its meandering waterways, palm-fringed islands, ox-bow lakes, and lagoons give the area an exquisite beauty, as well as an abundant ecosystem. When you embark on a Botswana safari through the Okavango Delta, you will explore an environment that supports large herds of elephant, antelope, and buffalo, as well as hippo, giraffe, crocodile, lion, cheetah, leopard, wildebeest, rhino, zebra and baboon. An Okavango Delta safari will bring you in close contact with over 400 species of birds, including the African fish eagle, Pel’s fishing owl, crested crane, lilac-breasted roller, ostrich and the sacred ibis.

Khwai River

There is a multitude of options in the Khwai area to make your holiday to Botswana a safari to remember. The biodiversity from land to water leans itself perfectly to explore the abundance of fauna and flora species. Khwai offers prime wildlife viewing best explored through game drives and guided bush walks, led by experienced guides with intimate knowledge of the local surroundings. Night drives is also a popular activity in Khwai, seeking out nocturnal species like aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin, and porcupine. The lifeline that is the Khwai River is best suited to traditional Mokoro adventures that will ensure an authentic Botswana water safari. The best time for this excursion is between April and October when the water levels rise significantly and the many channels are passable.

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• Mokoro Safaris

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The most intimate way to explore the Okavango’s meandering channels and hidden lagoons is on a guided mokoro safari trip. Mokoro trips are available at many water-based camps and lodges in the Okavango and Maun for self-drivers. The thought of slinking through the wild territory of hippos and crocodiles may seem a little daunting, but it helps to keep in mind that the men who guide these safaris in Botswana have spent a lifetime navigating these waters and know what they’re doing.

Mokoro guides commonly choose shallow areas where there is less chance of encountering hippos and always have a scout polling ahead to keep a good lookout.

A Mokoro safari  gives you the best chance to catch a glimpse of the rare and secretive Sitatunga antelope. Sitatunga love quiet backwaters with floating papyrus islands and usually feed while partially submerged in water.

They are expertly adapted for swamp life with splayed, elongated hooves that enable them to tread soft marshlands with ease. When a mokoro approaches, these shy ungulates will commonly swim away, with only their nuzzles sticking out of the water.

Other fascinating creatures to look out for on a Mokoro safari are:

• Colorful Painted Reed frogs
• Tiny Long Reed frogs
• Malachite and Pied kingfishers
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• African and lesser jacanas
• Day and night water lilies

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• Mokoro Delta Experience

See The Delta by Mokoro

The makoro has become the iconic symbol of the Delta and is a popular way for visitors to explore the Okavango while on safari.

Originally, the only form of transport for fishing or transporting people and goods around the channels, these canoe-like vessels, approximately 20 feet or 6 meters in length, used to be crafted from tree trunks, which were painstakingly hollowed out using hand-tools.

However timber ultimately rots, and results in more trees having to be cut down, a practice which is not environmentally sustainable.

So, in keeping with the times, the modern makoro is constructed from molded fibre-glass. Durable, long-lasting and environmentally friendly, it still maintains its character - the serene, dream-like gliding through the papyrus waterways will leave a lasting impression on you.

The trunks of these trees were hollowed out with tools such as hatchets. However before the introduction of metal implements, people made use of controlled fires to hollow out the trees. The burnt wood was then chopped away with a curved chopping blade called an adze, until enough was removed so that the boat became buoyant.

The last phase of the building process demanded that the boat be crafted to create an elongated and streamlined shape with distinct points at the bow and stern.

While the demand for mokoros has steadily increased over the years in Botswana, certain problems arose concerning their production and the impact it has on had the environment. Although the Delta region is more than able to compensate for the amount of trees needed to make mokoros, the fact that only older trees are preferred , has in turn had a specific impact on this environment.

As such, tourism in the Okavango Delta promotes the use of fiberglass mokoros, which is what you will find being used by all the Delta camps and lodges today.

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Mokoro in Moremi

Glide across a watery labyrinth in moremi game reserve.

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Mokoro activity

Glide through the maze of channels, islands and opaque lagoons on a traditional mokoro dugout canoe and enjoy the seasonal beauty of the Okavango Delta. The 20-foot canoes sport distinct edges at the bow and stern and can cater for up to two passengers at a time. This exclusive guest list ensures an intimate excursion during which you can appreciate the quiet motion of the vessel as it glides across the still, dark water.

Mekoro was traditionally hand carved out of the huge Okavango Delta trees, but are now made out of environmentally friendly fibre-glass in an effort to adopt sustainable practices in the region. Guests sit in front of a trained guide and oarsman, who stands firm at the boat’s stern, manually propelling the vessel with a ngashi pole, whittled from the branches of terminalia trees. Polers, as they’re fondly referred to, are introduced to mekoro from early childhood, expertly manoeuvring the narrow boat with precision, grace and speed.

The month of June completely transforms the ordinarily dry and arid Moremi into a bustling oasis. The river floods, creating a maze of waterways and lagoons where delicate lilies shyly float above the shadowy surface. Explore the Okavango Delta, sitting mere centimetres above the smooth, clear water, as you silently pass by unsuspecting wildlife. Marvel at stout hippos as they fight over territory and crocodiles that stealthily stalk unsuspecting prey drinking deeply at the water’s edge. At the heart of the Delta lies a secluded network of waterways and islands where life slows down even further. Witness life from a new perspective, following routes taken by the river Bushmen and BaYei people for centuries and used to this day by local tribes, who still travel by mokoro. Encounter grazing herds of rare swamp-dwelling sitatunga and red lechwe antelope, as well as elephants that tower over islands fringed with palms. Watch in awe as these majestic beasts submerge neck-deep, swimming through a network of reeds inhabited by tiny frogs of all colours, all under the watchful eye of the elegant African fish eagle.

*Please note: This activity may be seasonal depending on where you are staying and your month of travel. Water levels change yearly and weather patterns are unpredictable.

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Mokoro Excursions

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A mokoro is essentially a dugout canoe, traditionally carved from indigenous tree sources but now more likely to be a sturdier affair constructed from fibre glass. The narrow channels of the Delta, with their decorative papyrus, reeds and water lilies, are tailor made for travelling by mokoro, which was historically the most practical way for people to traverse such wetland areas. Today a mokoro excursion from a Delta camp is a relaxing affair with no exertion required, generally involving a maximum of two passengers per mokoro and one poler, who propels the vessel in much the same way you would punt on a still river.

This is not a guaranteed big game viewing excursion, although you will come across plenty of hippo, water birds and some swamp based antelope such as red lechwe and puku. It is more about experiencing the pristine beauty and serenity of the waterways, with more time to notice the little things such as verdant flora, birdsong and tiny amphibians and insects. Not all of the camps can operate mokoro excursions, particularly in dry concessions when water levels are low, but during high water camps such as Kanana, Jao and Xaranna are perfectly situated for the best mokoro trips anywhere on the continent.

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