HEART OF THE OKAVANGO EXPEDITION 7 days/6 nights Incorporating the Okavango Delta from Seronga to Ntswi Island by power boat and dug-out canoe “The more you explore wilderness, the more you explore your own self” The Okavango Delta remains one of the most alluring, mysterious and personally elevating wilderness regions in Africa. The Heart of the Okavango safari offers the best possible Delta encounter possible within 7 days. From the panhandle in the north to the seasonal floodplains in the south, we spend 6 magical nights camping on remote islands and tracking game on foot. TRANS – OKAVANGO ITINERARY NORTH TO SOUTH DAY 1: MAUN- SERONGA BY AIR SERONGA – JEDIBE ISLAND BY POWERBOAT START MEKORO EXCURSION Day 1 includes an hour long air charter flight from Maun to Seronga. From here we take a power boat transfer along the meandering channels of the pan-handle, enroute to Jedibe island in the northern delta. At Jedibe we will meet up with our poling team and commence the mekoro (dug-out canoe) excursion. We stop on a suitable island to erect our first camp site, and spend the night DAY 2-6: MEKORO EXCURSION AND WILDERNESS CAMPING For the following five nights, we are self contained exploring the hidden away places of the magical system. Walks on islands and picnic stops are part of the fare as we plot a course southward through the myriad of waterways, floodplains and channels. As we do not have a predetermined route, our movements are determined by the water levels and game concentrations along the way. Our camp sites and walks depend on the best possible game encounters at the time. DAY 7: ARRIVE AT NTSWI ISLAND CHARTER FLIGHT BACK TO MAUN Our convoy arrives at an air strip on Ntswi island in the southern region to link up with an air charter flight to Maun, arriving in the late afternoon
THE RETURN ITINERARY SOUTH TO NORTH Day1: Charter flight from Maun to Ntswi and commence with mekoro excursionDay 2 to 6: Mekoro excursion and wilderness campingDay 7: Arrive at Jedibe and motorboat transfer to Seronga Charter flight from Seronga to Maun. The Okavango Delta is possibly the most amazing wilderness paradise on the planet. Spectacular tree fringed islands dotted with game, verdant floodplains of a hundred greens, secluded water lily gardens and huge lagoons all roll into one. The vastness of her 15 000 square km wilderness is indescribably immense. In fact, the more one explores the delta, the more uncharted and mysterious it becomes. An average of 10.5 million cubic metres of water a year channel down the Okavango River, reaching the southern regions about 4 months later. The delta incredibly accounts for 95% of Botswana’s surface water. The river is her artery, representing the life and spiritual –force of the delta. This is her life-flow and re-supply, and by traversing the main channel one can almost feel her pulse, and consequently, her vulnerability. Dominated by deep channels, lagoons and papyrus fringed islands, the "panhandle" refers to the upper reaches of the delta where the waters are channeled by parallel fault lines. As we pole southwards, the scenery changes dramatically, as the landscape opens up into large islands and shallow floodplains. This is where game encounters are the most spectacular, as the central delta supports large concentrations of elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, various antelope, monkeys, baboons and a multitude of birdlife. The Heart of the Okavango will be led by Alan McSmith, who has had 18 years of professional guiding experience within Southern Africa. Alan used to be a permanent resident of the Okavango, and knows the delta well. He completed a full back to back traverse last year, and in doing so has become only the 3rd person ever to guide a 4 - week expedition through the delta. The route will be decided by Sariqo Sakega, a Bayei tribal elder from Seronga. Alan and Sariqo have developed a close friendship over the years. Sariqo has a phenomenal knowledge of the delta as well as somewhat of a legendary status, as many people say that he knows the Okavango better than any man alive. The Okavango Traverse is more than a regular safari, with game encounters and fascinating insights into the delta. Parallels of discovery and intuition however, makes one ponder that that there is profoundly more to wilderness exploration than first realise; that the more you explore a wild area, the more you explore your own self. The following are extracts from Alan's book Journey with a River, written about last year's traverse. We trust that they provide you with some insight to our magical encounters in the Okavango. "Our sightings list was impressive, with lion, buffalo, scores of elephant, leopard, sitatunga, red lechwe, giraffe, zebra, reedbuck, wildebeest, cape clawless otters and hippo to name a few. A hippo wandered past our tents on Xiniga Island, we had lion killing a lechwe opposite another, and found Pel's fishing owl, one of the delta's fairy tale creatures in broad daylight. The significance of all the animal encounters we had however, may be personified by a young lechwe ram, bounding from us across some shallow water. As he was in a fairly remote area that would not likely be accessed by others, I found myself wandering if this animal had in fact ever seen a person before. We had numerous spectacular encounters with animals, explored uncharted channels and felt fortunate to be privy to some of her most timeless and hidden-away places. At no point however, did we feel like intruders, we were never threatened nor did we take more than we should of. This is the enchantment of the Okavango. Amongst others, I discovered the art of integrity and humility, in Sariqo. I also realised that the plethora of fascinating knowledge of Sariqo’s generation may sadly soon be lost to ours. His formidable fitness and strength to pole for as much as 6 hours a day, for 4 weeks, all the while navigating through seemingly monotonous terrain seemed superhuman. Sariqo now has his most avid admirer. Amongst others, we traversed the regions of Xamogha, Jedibe, Nxabega, Xo Flats, Jao, Tchau, Gubenare, Xaxaba, Ntwsi and Karo. We paddled through deep water, followed hippo channels through dense papyrus beds and even portered shallow floodplains. In all we explored 45 different islands and poled for about 150 hours. The surreality of landing on terra firma at Seronga after 4 weeks in a mokoro was moving to say the least – a sense of wonder, reverence and achievement only slightly outweighing a feeling of sadness that it was over. How to sum up such an extraordinary experience? Words surely can’t say it all. I am now re-entrenched back home in body at least, with my mind and soul due to arrive anytime soon. There is a magical quality in the Okavango that never fails to elevate and enlighten, a mystical blend as wild as the wind, and although unlikely to ever be fully understood, inspires various inner journeys and interpretations. A deep spiritual collage of encounters results in a life changing episode. There is a Bayei proverb that says: Once you drink water from the delta, you will always return." US$ 4543 per personSingle Supplement of US $ 450Includes 10% vat Minimum of 4 people INCLUDED:All transfers between destinations and local charter flights, accommodation and activities as mentioned; all camping equipment (walk-in tents with hot shower and toilet; mattresses, sleeping bags); all meals; staff members to take care of camp chores; all park fees and permits; polers and the services of a licensed professional expedition guide. EXCLUDED:International flights; accommodation in Maun; tips and gratuities; medical and travel insurance; items of a personal nature; laundry; soft drinks, beer, wine & alcoholic beverages; visas. IMPORTANT NOTES:· This trip is an epic expedition. It is a journey of discovery – discovery of the Okavango delta as well as oneself. · In the nature of expeditions, the exact route may change and vary from one trip to another. A precise day-by-day itinerary cannot be provided. Different campsites and different channels may be used on each subsequent expedition depending on water levels and game movements. · While there is abundant wildlife in the Okavango delta, no guarantees can be provided regarding game viewing. On some days the game viewing can be poor, while on other days it may be exceptionally good. The aim of the trip is not to see game, but to experience this unique part of the world in all its facets, its ebb and flow, its bounty and its flaws. · Game walks on the islands and fishing in the channels will be undertaken as and when time permits and where it is deemed safe by the professional guide.· The water levels in the Okavango are in constant flux: rising and falling according to the annual flood levels from Angola as well as local rainfall and the rate of evapo-transpiration. Due to this unpredictability the starting and ending points of the trip are entirely at the discretion of the polers and the guide. If the water is not high enough to reach Maun, we will terminate the trip slightly further north and fly our guests back to Maun. In this event the duration and cost of the trip will remain unchanged.· Participants must be aware that days may be long and extended hours are spent sitting flat in a mokoro under the African sun. We do provide mokoro seats, but guests must provide their own sun protection by way of sunscreens, hats, covers or even small sun umbrellas.· No exceptional physical fitness is required but participants must be comfortable with themselves.· Trips will only run with a minimum of four and a maximum of 8 confirmed bookings. · Prices are subject to change without notice for reasons beyond our control.
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