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Alex Bruce
CA
Visited:
June 2019
Reviewed: Jul 22, 2019
Email Alex Bruce | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime trip that did not disappoint.
We chose the month of June as it's the ideal time to see the wildlife due to the fact its the wet season. Unfortunately, it just happened that it was the driest June they've experienced in 10 years. That said, it did not hamper or affect our visit in any manner. While sitting on our deck in our first minutes of arriving, we watched elephants, hippos, antelope, eagles, warthogs etc....thinking, who needs to go on a drive when you're surrounded by all of this wildlife.
We were assigned a guide when we arrived. The daily routine
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was, your guide comes to your tent at 6:00am with coffee for your wake up call. Breakfast at 6:30 then meet at the jeep for 7:00 - 7:30. The morning drive goes until approx 11:00am, return for lunch and then 'siesta' time until 3:00 when you meet at the main lodge for "tea" then back to the jeep for 3:30 for your afternoon drive. The afternoon drive lasts until sundown which ends at a scenic spot at which the guide sets up a little bar so you can enjoy a cocktail while you watch the sunset.Being winter at that time, the morning temperature can be quite cool (between 5-10 degrees celsius). While they advise you to wear layers, fleece lined ponchos were provided as well as blankets for the morning drive. By the end of the morning drive however the layers are peeled off at the temperature shot up to the mid 20's. I don't think we saw a cloud the whole time we were there.
As a professional photographer I was thrilled that we had drives that included the beautiful 'golden hour light'. I was also very happy that our driver had a good understanding of light for photography and would always position our vehicle for the best possible angle to take pictures.
I won't get into the actual wildlife we witnessed, only to say that we pretty much saw it all, including the Big 5 - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Cape Buffalo. Our guide was amazing in his ability to track the various animals along with his knowledge of the area and wildlife.
Being a private reserve, we rarely saw another vehicle which for me enhanced the experience. As a bonus, I treated myself to a helicopter ride over the area which was a highlight of the trip, to see and photograph the animals from a different perspective. I would highly recommend the Belmond Lodges for that 'once in a lifetime trip and experience'
Eunice Horne
AU
Visited:
April 2019
Reviewed: May 16, 2019
Email Eunice Horne | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tess S
US
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 18, 2019
Email Tess S | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The bush walks in particular were extremely exciting. We also got to take a helicopter ride which was a beautiful way to see how the Delta is situated.
Kirstie Bankslyon
GB
Visited:
October 2018
Reviewed: Nov 5, 2018
Email Kirstie Bankslyon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hippos and elephants - as we were on a walking Safari the other animals were quite far away
schtain
A river which fails to meet the sea
The Okabango Delta, called the jewel of Kalahari in Africa, changes the shape of the waterway and plants grow to block it. Hippos living in lakes and swamps here can pass through the blocked waterways or expand their channels.
The swamps in the Okabang Lake grow very well, thanks to the rivers and the nutrients in them. As a natural environment, a large number of animals and birds gather here and breed in a swamp in the middle of a dry terrain. Large animals such as hippos and elephants are easy to see and have various birds.
This was the first part of our trip and was perhaps the best start we could have asked for. The tranquil trip down the delta was very soothing and relaxing. We camped out overnight and experienced the beautiful night sky and morning views. Sunset and sunrise on the delta are memories I will never forget.
A very different ecperience from any that I've had before in a very good way!
We stayed at Moremi Crossing, which was excellent, having flown in by light aircraft from Maun. The weather was very good for us -sunny but not too hot. The clear skies were magnificent at night - coming from a relatively light polluted area the chance to see (and photograph) the Milky Way was great. We say a variety of wildlife and my abiding memory was of an elephant at close quarters from a Mokoro (the experience of being poled through the waterways in a Mokoro was magical too). We also saw Red Lechwe, buffalo, hippo and a great variety of birds - I couldn't define myself as a birder but there certainly seemed to be an abundance.
Our accommodation was very good with excellent food and a pleasant atmosphere.
Helene de Ridder
ZA
Visited:
June 2018
Reviewed: Jul 11, 2018
Email Helene de Ridder | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Paula Adams
US
Visited:
December 2017
Reviewed: Feb 13, 2018
Email Paula Adams | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great experience, especially the Mokoro trip. Don't worry too much about malaria!
Maun is the gateway to many activities in the delta. Is has quite a lot of accommodations, restaurants, shops and an airport. Even if you can't afford a helicopter
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flight, you should book a Mokoro boat tour. It takes approximately 8 hours from 8 am until 4 pm. A guide will drive you through the delta while you can relax and enjoy the nature. It's worth every cent. If you come in December, expect the water levels to be low and some rain or clouds from time to time.Don't worry too much about malaria. It is there but not too common (ask the locals). Take a good mosquito spray with you anyways and keep the doors/windows closed in the evening. We've rarely seen any mosquitos, so I think the health damage done by any medication outweighs the real risk, especially if you're only staying for a couple of days in the southern part of the delta.