Botswana > Making water in the Okavango Delta

Even before the sun rises, we are already awake and packing our things. Since we only brought the luggage needed for these days, it goes quickly. From the raised terrace, we watch the sunrise. Unfortunately, a large tree is in the way, making it hard to get a good photo.

Botswana - The mokoros are originally hollowedout tree trunks

After breakfast, we move our belongings to the 4x4, about a hundred meters away. Just as we’re almost done, we realize the 4x4 can actually drive closer to the campsite. We quickly load the last items and head to the speedboats. All the luggage is loaded into one speedboat, while we board the other. Ten folding chairs are set up in the boat for our trip through the Okavango Delta. It looks a bit rickety, but it’s comfortable to sit in. It’s only half past eight when we set off. The boat glides through the channels between the reeds. Along the way, we spot a crocodile resting on the water’s edge. After just under an hour navigating the beautiful channels, we arrive at the transfer point. The polers have already transferred our luggage into the mokoros. Mokoros are small, flat canoes that we use to continue deeper into the Delta. Carefully, we step two by two into the mokoros. Daniel pushes our mokoro. He has a tough job with two heavy passengers, which also means we sit deeper in the water.

Botswana - The mokoros glide through the swamp

Daniel maneuvers the mokoro through the reeds along the narrow waterway. The marsh is stunning, with reeds, water plants, and the sunlight. Along the way, we see many birds, and an African Fish Eagle flies above us. We row at the front, but Daniel lets the other mokoros go ahead. This pushes the vegetation aside, making it easier for our canoe to pass. Still, he has to use a lot of strength. Occasionally, water flows into the mokoro when he pushes off strongly. I sit at the front and don’t get too wet, but Theo in the middle starts getting soaked. At one point, a misstep by all three of us lets a lot of water into the canoe. Theo is clearly not amused, and even the sleeping bag he’s leaning against is drenched. Around eleven o’clock, we reach the island where we will stay. The canoes are pulled ashore, and our canoe is bailed out. Theo hangs his sleeping bag in the sun to dry. After setting up the tents, we eat our lunch. In the afternoon, Thomas takes us to the Baobab tree on the island. Since wild animals are nearby, we have to be cautious. We walk in a line across the plain, Thomas in front and one of the polers at the back.

Botswana - The old branches of the Baobab tree

One by one, we take photos with the immense, wide tree. Then we take a group photo in front of the Baobab tree—an essential tradition when traveling with Baobab Travel. The rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing around the campfire. I take the time to update my travel journal. At the end of the afternoon, we go on a bush walk with the polers. They give detailed explanations about plants and animal tracks. For example, they show what you can learn from elephant droppings—in our case, that elephants passed through more than three days ago. We spot a go-away bird, a hammerkop’s nest, and an aardvark’s burrow. Near the Baobab tree, the guide knocks down a fruit with a well-aimed throw using a stick, and we get to taste it. Aside from a few monkeys, a dead puma, a small group of live pumas, and some birds, we don’t see much wildlife. Around six o’clock, we return to camp. We take the mokoros out onto the water for sunset. The sunset adds a magical dimension to the experience. Luckily, this time we stay dry in the boat. Back on the island, dinner is ready—a braai. In the evening, we enjoy the campfire and the beers we brought along. At night, some caution is required in the surrounding bush. We must stay close to camp for any necessary bathroom stops.