Summary of this Budget Safari
Fly into the wild Okavango Delta to explore the winding waterways by mokoro dug-out canoe and take guided nature walks on remote islands in the untamed bush. Stay at an authentic camp in the heart of the delta - Oddballs Enclave, located just off Chief's Island, next to Moremi Game Reserve.
Fly from the pristine delta to the Linyanti floodplains of world-famous Chobe Park, home to one of Africa's highest concentrations of wildlife. Embark on rewarding game drives and relaxing river cruises in search of the abundance of diverse wildlife and birds found here. Stay at the secluded and intimate Camp Linyanti overlooking a tranquil lagoon in this lush part of Chobe.
After the safari experience of a lifetime you fly back to Maun where this wildlife and wilderness adventure began. This Budget Okavango Delta & Linyanti Safari takes visitors deep into northern Botswana's truly wild and game-rich wilderness areas on an unforgettable African adventure.
Itinerary for this Tour
Tour Highlights:
Camping in the pristine Okavango Delta of Botswana
Safari Activities with Private Guides at Oddballs' Enclave
Guided Walking Safaris on Chief's Island in the Okavango Delta
Mokoro Canoe Trips in the heart of the Okavango Delta
Explore the game-rich Linyanti Marsh area of Chobe Park
Day 1 to 3: Maun to Oddballs’ Enclave - Okavango Delta, Botswana
This Botswana Safari Adventure starts in Maun, where you are collected by Delta Air for your scenic flight into the wild Okavango Delta. Arriving at the bush camp your personal safari guide meets you at the airstrip. This local guide is shared between a maximum of two guests and is assigned to you for the duration of your stay at the delta safari camp.
Your base for exploring the Okavango Delta is Oddballs' Enclave, a remote camp that is only accessible by plane.
The authentic safari camp is set on a secluded little island near Chief's Island, the largest of the delta islands. This delightful camp lies very close to the south-western tip of Chief’s Island, bordering the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve.
From this bush retreat deep in the Okavango Delta, we explore the intricate network of winding channels, tranquil lagoons and reed-fringed islands.
Take early morning and late afternoon mokoro trips, gliding along the watery channels in your guide's own traditional delta vessel, hand-crafted from wood. Mekoros are dug-out canoes used to navigate the narrow maze of waterways and estuaries in the delta. On mekoro rides your guide stands in the stern of his old-school canoe, propelling two passengers through the waters with a long pole - the African version of the Venetian gondala ride. This is the ideal way to explore the delta and encounter wildlife and birds, as you move slowly and quietly through the bush.
Drifting through this magical inland delta of Botswana, your guide stops at small islands where you can experience the wild bush on foot. On your nature walks in the delta you get up close to the marvels, big and small, of one of Africa's last truly wild places.
Your experienced guide leads you into the unspoilt bush unarmed, helping you to spot wildlife and tune into the finer details of the delta. Sharing his in-depth knowledge your guide points out the fascinating insects, plants, animal tracks and other signs of animal activity in the bush. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure immerses you in the wilderness, surrounding you by the pure beauty of the Okavango Delta.
If you would like to spend a full day out exploring the delta you can request a picnic lunch to take out with you from the camp.
Your guide is a born-and-bred local who knows this part of the delta inside out. The guides come from Sedibana village, located near the camp, and are descendants of the baYei tribe which moved into the delta in the late 1700's with their mekoros.
You can visit the village with your guide to see the locals' simple way of life in this beautiful place. Here you may meet the chief, the elders and even the family of your guide. You have the chance to buy some local crafts in Sedibana, where the women are known for their basket weaving.
Back at camp, tasty meals are served out on the spacious deck areas where you can keep an eye out for visiting wildlife and birds. At the end of the day you can put your feet up and admire a beautiful sunset over the wilderness, listening to the sounds of nature as the stars come out.
Flight into the Delta by light aircraft
Guided Delta island walks
Mekoro trips in the Delta
All meals and accommodation at Oddballs' Enclave
About Oddballs' Enclave
At this intimate Botswana camp you stay in one of the 15 large dome tents set under reed-roofs on raised wooden platforms. Each well-equipped tent is fitted with single twin or double beds and features a semi-detached en suite bathroom. Bathroom facilities include an open-air, yet private bucket shower and cold and hot running water. The comfortable tents are set on raised wooden platforms with viewing decks where you can sit back and soak up the pristine delta environment.
This remote tented camp features elevated decks with lounge areas opening out onto the bush and campfire, so that guests can take in the views in comfort and style. Sitting on one of the decks of the Enclave you look out over the delta grasslands and untamed woodlands beyond, catching sight of birds and even wildlife nearby. The dining room overlooks the Boro Channel, Chief’s Island and across into the Moremi Game Reserve. Your evenings can be spent relaxing around the open campfire or in the lounge and bar areas, where you can get to know your fellow guests.
One of the most outstanding features of this authentic camp is its beautiful location on a small island in the heart of the Okavango Delta. This family-friendly safari camp uses solar power to generate electricity and wherever possible to heat water too. Oddballs' Enclave offers a personal safari experience with private guides from the local area. The emphasis is on slowing down and taking in this magnificent wilderness setting and its wild inhabitants.
Day 4 to 6: Oddballs’ Enclave to Camp Linyanti - Chobe, Botswana
Day four starts with breakfast at the peaceful Okavango Delta camp, before we set off for our next safari destination in Botswana.
We fly from Oddballs’ Enclave to the Saile Airstrip which lies inside the world-renowned Chobe Park. Then a 90 minute game drive takes us through the bush to Camp Linyanti in northeastern Chobe. This oasis-like camp looks out over a lagoon on the fertile floodplains of Linyanti Marsh and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia beyond.
Over the next few days you explore the Linyanti region of Chobe on morning and afternoon game viewing drives in open safari vehicles, going in search of the varied wildlife found here. Linyanti is one of Botswana's top wildlife destinations, known for its excellent game viewing.
The waters of the Chobe and Kwande rivers make the expansive Linyanti floodplains a richly vegatated zone, attracting a diverse mix of animals. This part of Botswana also offers outstanding bird watching opportunities.
Our game drives take us into the rivirine forests and along the edges of the floodplains in winter. During the wetter summer months we head to the less watery pans in search of wildlife, including herds of elephants, buffalos and predators. Your guide will happily answer questions on the game drives and share his detailed knowledge about the local fauna and flora with you. Driving through the bush you will encounter water-dwelling creatures and land animals, from hippos to zebras and hyenas.
You can also take a late afternoon boat cruise along the waterways of Linyanti to spot game and birds from the water.
Flight to Linyanti by light aircraft
Morning and afternoon game drives
Afternoon boat cruises
All meals and accommodation at Camp Linyanti
About Camp Linyanti
This intimate safari camp only accommodates up to 10 guests at a time, in its five tented-rooms with en suite bathrooms that feature outdoor showers. These rondavel (round chalet) style tents are set on raised wooden decks amid shady trees along the fringes of the lush lagoon.
The early evening boat cruises in Linyanti are conducted in a powerful twin-engine boat, one of which is an electric motor for cruising quietly through the untamed bush. The boat is equipped for comfort, making for relaxed water-based game viewing.
The area around Camp Linyanti hosts a high diversity of wildlife, including some rare antelope species such as puku, roan and sable. African wild dogs are frequently spotted on game drives, as well as lions and leopards. You are sure to see plenty of elephants and may even spot the rare brown hyena. The game viewing at Camp Linyanti is superb year round.
Day 7: Camp Linyanti to Maun, Botswana
On day seven you have a chance to take one more early game drive in the wildlife-rich Linyanti Marsh region before tucking into a delicious breakfast back at Camp Linyanti.
After breakfast you hop back onto a small plane and return to Maun, enjoying the views of northern Botswana as you fly.
Morning game drive
Flight to Maun by light aircraft
Image Gallery
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