Okavango Delta Explorer

Okavango Delta explorer is a 5 day Botswana safari. This African safari in Botswana takes you to the Okavango Delta where you will spend your days cruising through the myriad waterways.

About the 5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer Safari

Okavango Delta explorer is a 5 day Botswana safari. This African safari in Botswana takes you to the Okavango Delta. You will spend your days cruising through the Delta's myriad waterways.

The Okavango Delta explorer lets you watch as water wonders emerge. This includes the hippos, crocodiles and sometimes even playful elephants’ families.

The Okavango Delta explorer safari in Botswana also has early morning walking safaris. These will lead you into a maze of mopane trees. Here you’ll come into contact with a flora fantasy like no other.

Okavango Delta Explorer Safari Itinerary

Days 1 and 2: Maun - Moremi Game Reserve

You’ll be met on arrival at Maun International Airport. This is by our Botswana safari representative. You’ll enjoy a briefing on this Okavango Delta explorer. This is before being assisted into your private air charter to Camp Moremi.

You will be having two nights at the lodge. Camp Moremi is situated on the scenic Xakanaxa Lagoon. This is on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta. It is within the Moremi Game Reserve.

Your accommodation will be on a fully inclusive basis. Explore the Xakanaxa Lagoon and surrounding Okavango channels. This is from an elevated viewing platform or by motorboat. It affords you excellent bird watching opportunities. The water wonderland can be viewed from a dry platform.

You’ll also enjoy game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicles in the Reserve. You’ll enjoy game sightings such as lions, leopards and hippos. There are also unique list of bird species and a beautiful range of botany.

Do not forget to gaze in awe into the Mopane forests. There are seasonal floodplains and riverine forests here too. Enjoy the lifeless waters of a raised deck swimming pool. Here you can stare into the endless horizon.

You may also sip on sundowner cocktails before approaching the boma area. It is here that your meals and drinks are served by local staff.

Days 3 and 4: Xugana Lagoon in the Okavango Delta

You’ll enjoy a transfer on your Okavango Delta explorer.  This is to the Moremi Airstrip for a flight to Okavango Airstrip. You should look forward to the scenic flight over the Delta.

You’ll be met on arrival and enjoy a transfer to Xugana Island Lodge. It is here that you’ll stay for two nights on an all inclusive basis.  Xugana Lagoon is believed to be the most spectacular permanent water site. This is in the entire Okavango Delta.

The lagoon provides a lush relief from the arid Kalahari sands. The Okavango River braces the desert with its lagoons, channels and islands. You’ll embark on a guided nature walk on Okavango Delta explorer here.

This will help you learn about the various species residing in the area.

You’ll also flow through the water channels in a traditional Mokoro. You can choose a modern motorboat if you want. Take notice of the tiny frogs clinging to the reeds.

You’ll also admire the kingfishers on their flight to their next meal. The wetland boasts of a prolific list of water birds.  Fly-fishing is considered an activity to look forward to. Fishing enthusiasts will search the waters for bream and tiger fish.

Day 5: Maun International Airport

Start your day on Okavango Delta explorer with an early breakfast. Today you will be driven to Xugana Island Lodge's airstrip. Here you will board a light aircraft flight to Maun International Airport. You’ll be there in time for your departure flight.

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5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer Safari in Botswana Costs:

What is included in the 5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer Safari cost?

• Accommodation in a Okavango Delta
• Transport in a 4 X 4 Safari vehicle with pop up roof
• Meals on full board basis while on Okavango Delta Explorer safari
• All park entrance fee
• All Government tax

5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer Safari in Botswana cost excludes:

• Visa
• Items of personal use
• Deviation from the above program
• Drinks and beverages
• Tips and porterage

What to Carry on the 5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer Safari

• Sun glasses
• Light and some few heavy clothing
• Sun screen
• Insect repellant
• Hat
• Comfortable shoes

Other Botswana safaris to Okavango Delta

• 3 Day Okavango Delta Safari
• Chobe National park Safari
• 3 Day Moremi Safari Tour
• Okavango Delta Moremi Tour
• 4 Day Botswana Family Safari
• 5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer
• 5 Day Savute Safari tour
• 5 Day Botswana Safari Tour
• 5 Day Botswana Wildlife Safari
• 5 Day Botswana Budget Safari
• Botswana Romantic Getaway
• 7 Day Botswana Fly in Safari
• 10 Days Botswana Safari Package
• 10 Day Botswana Safari Adventure
• 12 Day Cheap Botswana Safari

5 Day Okavango Delta Explorer Safari Destination

The 5 day Okavango Delta explorer safari takes you to the Okavango Delta. This is a vast and varied ecosystem created as the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari desert in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta is rich in wildlife, this World Heritage Site is a sanctuary to some of the world's most endangered animals and birds.

This delta in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact.

One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods.

 It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.

The 5 day Okavango Delta explorer safari takes you unique pulsing wetland. More correctly an alluvial fan, the delta covers between 6 and 15 000 square kilometers of Kalahari Desert in northern Botswana and owes its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River which flows from the Angolan highlands, across Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and into the harsh Kalahari Desert.

Each year the Okavango River discharges approximately 11 cubic kilometres (1.1 × 10¹³ litres) of water into the Okavango Delta. Most of this water is lost to transpiration by plants (60%) and by evaporation (36%) with only 2% percolating into the aquifer system with the remainder finally flowing into Lake Ngami.

The Okavango Delta is affected by seasonal flooding with flood water from Angola reaching the Delta between March and June, peaking in July. This peak coincides with Botswana’s dry season resulting in great migrations of plains game from the dry hinterland.

Okavango Delta is generally flat, with a height variation of less than two meters across its area. The dry land in the Okavango Delta is predominantly comprised of numerous small islands, formed when vegetation takes root on termite mounds.

However larger islands exist with Chief’s Island, the largest, having been formed on a tectonic fault line.

The 1000th site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014, the Okavango Delta is an important wildlife area protected by both the Moremi Game Reserve. On its eastern edge, and the numerous wildlife concessions within Ngamiland.

An oasis in an otherwise dry environment the Okavango Delta is known for its superb wildlife, with large populations of mammals and excellent birding particularly in the breeding season.

What to See on the Okavango Delta Explorer Safari

The wildlife of the Okavango Delta is varied and plentiful thanks to the rich ecosystems and protection. The Okavango Delta supports large concentrations of animals on both a permanent and seasonal basis. Through careful wildlife management it has become perhaps one of the best places to see wildlife in Africa.

There is a dynamic seasonal shift of animals between the arid region that surrounds the delta and the Okavango Delta itself.

During the wet season most large animals move away from the delta to take advantage of the lush grazing that surrounds it. As this grazing begins to die in the winter animals’ move back to the delta.

Wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes a myriad of species including African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe, Topi, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Chacma Baboon.

Notably the endangered African Wild Dog still survives within the Okavango Delta and exhibits one of the richest pack densities in Africa.

In addition to the large animals the wildlife of the Okavango Delta, guest on 5 day Okavango Delta explorer safari can see over 500 species of birds and 85 recorded species of fish including Tigerfish, Tilapia and Catfish.

The Diversity of the Okavango Delta

The incredibly varied and rich eco-systems found in and around the Okavango Delta attract a stunning variety of wildlife. It is the incredible variety and concentration of animals and birds which has earned it the reputation as one of the top safari destinations in Africa.

Keystone Species

The Okavango Delta would not exist as we know it without the help of a number of keystone species which help to shape the environment and habitats in and around the Delta. These eco-system engineers include the elephant, hippo and termites.

Flora of the Okavango Delta

The aquatic environment of the Okavango has helped to develop a rich and complex eco-systems with thousands of tree and plant species which support the diverse wildlife found in the Okavango.

The diversity of the Okavango and surrounding areas is quite staggering. From Papyrus lined waterways peppered with lilies to open grass plains dotted with palm trees and wild sage, mopane forrests and the ancient baobab trees and acacia.

Common trees include the Candle Pod Acacia (Acacia hebeclada), Leadwood (combretum imberbe), Jackalberry (Diospyros mespiliformis), Marula (Sclerocarya birrea), Sausage Tree (Kigelia Africana) and the Knobthorn tree.

Okavango Delta Explorer Safari Accommodation

Camp Moremi

Situated in the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, Camp Moremi enjoys breath-taking vistas over the Xakanaxa Lagoon. Nestled within a natural riverine forest of teak and ebony trees, twelve tented safari suites have an East-African flavour and a classic touch.

Hidden in lush green trees and branches, it feels like you are walking in an African fairytale forest. Enjoy outside dinners under an amazing starry sky, let a professional staff pamper you with their humour and warmth, dive in the large pool, start your day with homemade pancakes and enjoy excellent elephant, lion and leopard sightings (among many other species).

With no Wi-Fi connection, you are truly away from your fast pace life. Move with the rhythm of elephants, smell the sweet, warm breeze and explore African land and waters - you will leave Camp Moremi with an everlasting experience (and new friends). Feel at home.

The suites feature glass sliding doors opening out to private decks where you can enjoy manicured bush views and an attractive woodlands setting. All tents are beautifully decorated, with a soft, king size bed, luxurious en suite bathroom, comfy chairs and a desk to write down all your safari memories.

Traditional thatch and timber communal spaces invite you to relax or read, since the elevated lounge includes a wildlife reference library. Nestle yourself down on the viewing platform and marvel at extensive panoramas, mind blowing sunsets (with amazingly coloured African skies), and hippos at the lagoon. For breakfast, lunch and tea, of course, venture out to the outside boma.

There is nothing like a meal in the fresh African air. After an exhilarating safari day, order yourself a cocktail at the bar and reminisce about today’s wildlife sightings, while a homemade dinner is prepared.

Xugana Island Lodge

Xugana Lagoon is widely recognised as the most spectacular permanent water site in the entire Okavango Delta, which itself is Africa’s largest and most awe-inspiring oasis. The Okavango River rises in the highlands of Angola yet never reaches the sea; instead its immense waters empty over the sands of the Kalahari, where the great thirst of the desert is quenched in a wilderness of freshwater lagoons, channels and islands.

Xugana Island Lodge is situated on a private concession and takes full advantage of this magnificent site. An expansive deck and al fresco dining area overlooks the vast, pristine body of water that makes up the permanent Okavango Delta.

The lounge, bar and dining areas are set back under the Ebony and African Mangosteen tree canopy in open-sided thatched structures, and the swimming pool, located within the mature gardens in the centre of the island, is a perfect place to relax.

The lodge accommodates only sixteen guests in large, raised, reed and thatch lagoon-facing chalets, with en-suite facilities and private viewing decks optimally placed on the shaded fringe of the island.