Safari Planning
A guide to planning your safari to the Okavango Delta
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The very minimum stay in the Okavango Delta should be three nights, if staying at a land and water camp to ensure you have a good general Okavango experience and to make the most of your safari. Many camps in the Okavango Delta offer a variety of activities and you will need time to enjoy them all – morning and afternoon game drives, mokoro excursions, boating safaris, walking safari and night drives. Other specialist activities such as helicopter flights and ballooning will also require time.
Two nights would never allow you to do all these activities. Always consider that two nights offers just one full day on safari. On travel days the camps will do their best to ensure you enjoy a morning activity before departure and an afternoon activity on the day of arrival but this cannot always be guaranteed due to the flight arrival and departure times.
If visiting other safari destinations three to four nights will offer a good impression of the Okavango, on average most people will stay 4-6 nights in the Okavango. Extensions can then be arranged to the wider region for safaris in areas such as the Kwando-Linyanti-Selinda reserves, the Kalahari, Makgadikgadi salt flats and Chobe.
The answer to how long you should spend on safari will vary from person to person.
This very much depends on how much time you want to be away, how many different areas you would like to visit, the pace you prefer to travel at and how much you are looking to spend… and how many mornings you are happy to wake up before the sunrises!
Many seasoned safari goers will be on safari for 10-14 days, sometimes even 3 weeks. However, if this is your first safari and you are unsure how long you would like to be away we recommend  approximately a week for your safari. Around 6-8 nights split between 2, 3 or 4 different camps/areas (this will depend on your preferred pace of travel) offering you an interesting and varied safari and plenty of time to full explore the Okavango and surrounding safari areas.
The key is to stay long enough in a camp and area to fully appreciate all is has to offer, enjoy all the activities and explore the area and allow time for some great game viewing – without staying so long the magic begins to wear off.
In terms of the maximum time to spend at each camp – this will certainly depend on the type of camp, e.g. the environment and activities on offer. When staying at a traditional water camp where the focus is on boating, mokoro and walking activities without game drives or big game viewing we suggest two nights while some camps offer a full range of water and land activities and four nights would work very well. Again much will depend on personal preference – some people will enjoy the peaceful Okavango setting of the water camps and enjoy three nights, perhaps they also enjoying birding or fishing. Others return to favourite camps for 5 nights, knowing what is in store and happy to settle in for the duration of their safari.
Contact us to discuss all this and more and to plan your tailormade safari.
One of the best holidays we have been on, from the initial inquiry, the organisation, suggestions and safari its self. Worth every pound and would recommend Okavango Delta Explorations to anyone.
Simon Tunstall - travelled Nov 2019
If you’re anything like me, you may be overwhelmed when beginning your Safari planning. Look no further than Okavango Explorations. They were an enormous help, patiently answering my litany of questions and putting together an incredible itinerary within our parameters. She was always available by email and phone and spent the time to get to know our needs.
Drew Simon 2019
Okavango Delta Explorations was an excellent choice. They heard in long telefon calls my wishes and expectations very well and gave me perfect advice on tours and camps/lodges. They are very experienced experts of the region, who know exactly where to send you according to your expectations . The organzation was absolutly perfect. There is nothing to improve. We had a very special and wonderful time.
Kerstin Schonherr – travelled Nov 2019
The whole trip was perfect! Louise made recommendations to us that were all spot on perfect. The recommendations provided were detailed and really brought things to life for us so that we could make the best choices - the guidance we received was first rate. We thoroughly enjoyed the three places we visited and the whole experience was very smooth. Thank you so much! We will be back and would highly recommend.
Kathryn Dyer - travelled 2019
An absolutely superb trip, and this is entirely down to Okavango Delta Explorations.
Louise carefully listened to what we wanted to get from the trip, and despite my work schedule patiently kept me informed of all developments in our honeymoon and planned everything. I can't fault Louise or the company's approach to organising this trip. No question or request was too much and everything was planned perfectly. We will definitely be returning and using the company again.
Johnathan Manners -July 2019
I have received excellent recommendations for the two camps selected at Okavanko Delta and Moreni Reserve. Outstanding locations, camps and wildlife. Very professional and knowledgeable guides. Very professional and friendly staff attentive to specific needs of guests. Excellent food and organization for meals either at the camps or in the wild. Thank you.
Charles Morin 2019
We were looking for an authentic family safari, something special for our children to remember forever- without breaking the bank! They listened to what we were looking for and patiently worked with us to plan the perfect trip, attentive to every little detail and answering all our anxious questions! And we had the holiday of a lifetime! Their expert knowledge and passion for Botswana is clear. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to visit Botswana. Thank you!!
Marie Gabrille Arnim
Great service from ODE, the team worked hard to deliver a holiday of a life time!!!
Specifically valued the efficiency, attention to detail and understanding when circumstances changed. Would definitely recommend Okavango Delta Explorations to anybody who wants a hassle free holiday organised by experts.
Carla Peek 2019
Contact us for more information and to start planning your Okavango safari
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