How to do the Delta the Real way
Historically, Botswana’s gorgeous Okavango Delta has been famous in safari circles for two things: incredible game‑viewing – arguably Africa’s best – and incredibly high costs compared to rival countries. That is changing, though, and we’ve now worked out a Real way to do the Delta: affordable and authentic, plus utterly memorable.
The Lowdown
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Think about
The Delta makes an excellent combination with the desert, so add in the Kalahari. Also, you can also easily start or end off with a visit to Victoria Falls.
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When to go
The end of dry season – normally October – sees Delta waters arrive via the picturesque Khwai river, and that is a magnet to thousands of thirsty omnivores. Their movement towards the drink in turn lures the predators, making it much easier to find and see animals.
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Cost
Starting from £3,995 per person for 9 nights, full board including game drives, transfers and flights.
Safari / Family / Wildlife / Active | 9 nights
Our 9 night itinerary enables a lower-cost Okavango safari without compromising on comfort or game-viewing. Situated on a natural Okavango Delta elephant migration route, Khwai Private Reserve is a 200,000-hectare wildlife domain.
As well as those tuskers, there are good numbers of lion, leopard, cheetah and buffalo, plus plains game such as sable, kudu and the rare roan.
By combining three distinct camps within Khwai Private Reserve, we’ve eliminated the need for expensive light-aircraft transfers. The featured lodges might be more rustic than some in Botswana, but they still promise feather duvets and exceptional guides.
Suggested itinerary:
- Overnight outbound flight – 1 night
- Hyena Pan – 3 nights
- Sable Alley – 3 nights
- Sky beds – 1 night
- Overnight inbound flight – 1 night
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Hyena Pan – 3 nights
Dense mopane woodland dominates Khwai’s north and it’s here that you’ll find Hyena Pan. Boasting a brightly-coloured African aesthetic instead of the muted shades of beige at colonial-style camps, this eight-tent, eco-friendly lodge overlooks a waterhole where animals regularly come to drink, and boasts a pool. En-suite rooms have gas-powered showers and the wood-and-thatch main areas span comfy lounges and a communal-table dining area.
Stays here can feature superb photographic opportunities from a ground-level hide and exciting night drives to seek out nocturnal species like porcupines and the titular spotted hyenas. Animal calls sound from the shadows, and a searching spotlight is expertly beamed by your ranger.
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Skybeds – 1 night
Guests at this stand-out option sleep five metres above the ground in a treehouse. The three treehouses all overlook another busy waterhole where, if you keep quiet, wild things should come to roam and drink oblivious to your presence. We understand if you ignore them though; for up above, an incredible celestial show will also be unfolding. It’s a magical way to spend a night.
You’ll hardly be roughing it either: each sturdy, split-level treehouse includes a platform furnished with pull out, mosquito-netted beds, a table and chairs and a lightweight pull-out canopy should you need. There’s also an an enclosed shower. Before bedtime, lantern-lit bush dinners are cooked over an open fire and served in front of a fourth, separate platform which acts as a communal area.
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Sable Alley – 3 nights
Water-based adventures are promised at this third camp, with a chance (if the weather allows) to explore those famous Delta channels and spillways by boat and, slowly slowly, traditional mokoro canoe.
Game drives and – with advance notice – walking safaris are also possible. The local area is particularly renowned for excellent sightings of wild dog.
Found further south beside a peaceful lagoon and floodplain, Sable Alley is also smarter in style than the two prior camps, and thus offers a luxurious end to your safari. Carefully elevated on raised decking to minimise environmental impact, it’s a classic-style camp of ten twin and two family tents. Guests have access to an open-
plan lounge and dining area, and a plunge pool.
