Okavango River
Okavango River
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
208 reviews
Excellent
156
Very good
42
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
2
DuncanTCH
East Greenbush, NY1,499 contributions
May 2022
Obviously, the Okavango River is responsible for creating the Okavango Delta. But the river itself is worthy of special attention because of all of the animals it draws during the dry season. We were there in late May, at the end of the dry season before the rains came and surprising, the river really the only place where one sees water...the delta is completely dry (especially this past year). So regardless of season, the Okavango River does not disappoint with all of the animals that it draws as well as its own natural beauty.
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krzysztof K
Barcelona, Spain31 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
HOW TO DO IT?
You can easily bypass he exorbitant prices offered by the lodges and agencies.
The standard price range offered by providers is 680-900p (68 - 90USD).
If we (a couple) did our overnight trip with our lodge, we would have paid 360USD.
Instead we paid 70 USD.
Instead of going with intermediaries, we went straight to Okawango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust, paid 6.8USD pppd (per person per day) fee. Next day we picked up one of their emploees in our car. He showed us the way to Mokoro Village. We were introduced to a poler there, whom we paid 20 USD per day per group, another 5 USD for having our car looked after and 2 USD pppd for mokoro seat rental :).
You will find OKMCT easily, it is in the same yard as the Helicopter Horizons (marked on google maps).
In terms of revenue, we left much more cash with the community, than we would have if we went with an agency (we would have done only a day trip for their price). The agency pays mokoro polers the 20 usd per day per group and your entry fee. The rest is transfer, in some cases food, and above all, a huge profit margin.
IS IT WORTH IT?
The no-intermediary price- definitely yes.
360 USD- not really...
If you've been to Caprivi Strip, you'd have done something similar, but having seen loads of hippos, crocs, buffaloes... Here the area is huge, reeds are dense, wildlife is scattered. We saw zebras and ostriches and only heard the hippos.
Sleeping in the wilderness, the sky full of stars, the mokoro ride itself - a beautiful experience, but for a long term traveler, definitely not worth 180 USD PP.
You can easily bypass he exorbitant prices offered by the lodges and agencies.
The standard price range offered by providers is 680-900p (68 - 90USD).
If we (a couple) did our overnight trip with our lodge, we would have paid 360USD.
Instead we paid 70 USD.
Instead of going with intermediaries, we went straight to Okawango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust, paid 6.8USD pppd (per person per day) fee. Next day we picked up one of their emploees in our car. He showed us the way to Mokoro Village. We were introduced to a poler there, whom we paid 20 USD per day per group, another 5 USD for having our car looked after and 2 USD pppd for mokoro seat rental :).
You will find OKMCT easily, it is in the same yard as the Helicopter Horizons (marked on google maps).
In terms of revenue, we left much more cash with the community, than we would have if we went with an agency (we would have done only a day trip for their price). The agency pays mokoro polers the 20 usd per day per group and your entry fee. The rest is transfer, in some cases food, and above all, a huge profit margin.
IS IT WORTH IT?
The no-intermediary price- definitely yes.
360 USD- not really...
If you've been to Caprivi Strip, you'd have done something similar, but having seen loads of hippos, crocs, buffaloes... Here the area is huge, reeds are dense, wildlife is scattered. We saw zebras and ostriches and only heard the hippos.
Sleeping in the wilderness, the sky full of stars, the mokoro ride itself - a beautiful experience, but for a long term traveler, definitely not worth 180 USD PP.
Written June 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
389glenne
Moe, Australia89 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
This was an incredible and unique experience. We were in a party of 8 people........4 had never camped and were terrified. We met our guides who took us on a 45 min ride in canoes through the water lilies and past some elephants.....they are not called canoes but I cant remember what the locals called them......we stopped under a massive tree on an island and camped for 3 days. In the evenings we would go walking and see the local wildlife. The sunsets were stunning. During the day we swam, fished and ventured out in the 'canoes'. On our last night we got a bit close to some hippos. We were not in danger but our guide told us that he lost his uncle to a hippo 2 months earlier. At night we lay in our tents listening to the wildlife. We had a ball with the guides. They were fantastic....some of their stories were very sad.......I have nothing but the greatest respect for them.
Written November 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coetzer_family
Stellenbosch, South Africa89 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
we spent a week with jacques conradie and his crew on the okavango river.
an amazing experience, super professional crew, we camped in luxury, ate five star food every day, and saw the essential wildlife of the okavango from the safety of our boats.
i can highly reccommend this company, it was worth every penny.
carin
an amazing experience, super professional crew, we camped in luxury, ate five star food every day, and saw the essential wildlife of the okavango from the safety of our boats.
i can highly reccommend this company, it was worth every penny.
carin
Written December 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen Rudham
Durban, South Africa70 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We had the most fantastic Mokoro Safari in the Okovango Delta.
The community guides were went out of their way to make our trip really special. I recommend booking directly with them as they provide an excellent value for money mokoro experience (much cheaper than the lodges or other organisers). They cater for all, individuals or large groups - self catering or fully catered. These people deserve our support. Photos attached
For community booking contacts please e-mail maureenjrudham@gmail.com
The community guides were went out of their way to make our trip really special. I recommend booking directly with them as they provide an excellent value for money mokoro experience (much cheaper than the lodges or other organisers). They cater for all, individuals or large groups - self catering or fully catered. These people deserve our support. Photos attached
For community booking contacts please e-mail maureenjrudham@gmail.com
Written October 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JZWTheTravellor
Hastings, UK82 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
We drove 3 hrs across the bush and were poled in mokoros along the Chobe River to a tented camp. This was a pleasant experience and spending a night under canvas seemed a good idea - until I heard the lions roaring at sundown and reallised that tent canvas is very thin for a lion!
The tents and the guides were exceptionally good, but the walks in the bush produced nothing more than a squirrel. As the guides indicated, in the dry season, the animals are forced to go to the rivers or waterholes for water. In the wet season, there are pools in the bush so they don't need to travel.
Moral: Be careful about the timing of your trip if you want to see animals (and if you want to see Victoria Falls at its best).
The tents and the guides were exceptionally good, but the walks in the bush produced nothing more than a squirrel. As the guides indicated, in the dry season, the animals are forced to go to the rivers or waterholes for water. In the wet season, there are pools in the bush so they don't need to travel.
Moral: Be careful about the timing of your trip if you want to see animals (and if you want to see Victoria Falls at its best).
Written January 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GermanPedro
Germany92 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
I love it! A must see. Mokoro trips are an absolute highlight.
What I hate are the tourist planes and the choppers, spoiling the tranquility
What I hate are the tourist planes and the choppers, spoiling the tranquility
Written December 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula Whitt
Cambridge, UK10 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
The journey took us about 1 and a half to 2 hours. Our local poler-the person who steered us through the rivers of the Okavango did a great job of getting us to the island camp. He pointed out small white frogs clinging to the reeds and many other wildlife and birds along the way. This was such a relaxing way to travel. AMAZING.....
Written May 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zhie2016
San Antonio, TX114 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
I honestly love our Thamalakane river. It's beautiful and you just can't tired of its beauty. Watch out for the hippopotamus and crocodiles now and then.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eduan K
Amsterdam, The Netherlands104 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We were on and next to the Okavango river for 5 days. (2days at Shakawe region in Botswana and 3days near Divundu in the Namibian Caprivi region)
We went on 2 boat cruises and also went on a few safari trips next to the river.
Saw the greatest sun rises and sunsets.
The river is full of hippos and Crocodiles
However we also saw 100s of locals next to and in the river. (either fishing, or washing clothes, or kids that play and swim in the river)
We went on 2 boat cruises and also went on a few safari trips next to the river.
Saw the greatest sun rises and sunsets.
The river is full of hippos and Crocodiles
However we also saw 100s of locals next to and in the river. (either fishing, or washing clothes, or kids that play and swim in the river)
Written October 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi everibody
I’m planning a trip from Johanesburg to Maun from march 26 2018 to april 03 2018.
My plans are to flight from Johanesburg to Maun, and there find a nice and not to expensive excursion to see the Okavango Delta.
I’m travelling with 1 more person, and I really don’t know which company to hire, and what are the best things to do.
Can somebody help us?
Written March 4, 2018
Planet baobab very good food great , visit gweta lodge 5 km West .great bar friendly people,
Maun,go to old bridge backpackers if only for a meal and drinks great vibe.
Written March 11, 2018
Hi, what is exactly the tour?
What kind of boat
How many people
How long
The price
We want to be able to make photos with enough time and make birds observation.
Thanks, Nicole
Written October 8, 2016
jam0995
Padua, Italy
vorrei avere notizie per fare un viaggio a dicembre, io, mio marito e le mie figlie di 20 e 18 anni. Dalla prenotazione di aerei ai lodge da prenotare. Grazie alessandra
Written May 29, 2016
Hallo "UmdieWelt2016",
euer Betrag ist für uns wirklich sehr hilfreich. In welchem Gebiet wart ihr genau unterwegs?
Wir wollen Mitte März bis April mit einem Camper im Okovangogebiet (Botswana West, Caprivi, Mudumu NP ...) unterwegs sein. Nachdem wir vor einigen Jahren extremes Hochwasser erlebt haben, machen wir uns Sorgen wegen des Wasserstandes und der Befahrbarkeit der Straßen und der Erreichbarkeit der Camps in Flussnähe (auch Kwango). Ist es dieses Jahr wirklich so trocken? Wir wollten auch Mokoro-Touren machen. Habt ihr Infos, wie sich der Wasserstand die nächsten Wochen entwickeln wird? Habt ihr hilfreiche Tipps für uns? Wie sieht es aus mit Moskitos - habt ihr das Malaria-Risiko als sehr hoch empfunden? War es wirklich sooo heiß? Wie hält man das aus?
Es tut uns leid, dass ihr so schlechte Erfahrungen mit eurer Reiseagentur machen musstet. Wir denken, dass man schon einigermaßen angepasste Angebote erwarten kann. Wir wissen nicht, ob wir in das Wasser gestiegen wären!!!
Übrigens hat uns der Flug vor einigen Jahren über das Delta auch wahnsinnig gut gefallen.
Wir hoffen, von euch zu hören und wünschen euch bessere Bedingungen auf eurer nächsten Reise!
Barbara
Written February 17, 2016
Hallo Barbara,
sorry für die späte Antwort, hab Ihre Frage gerade erst gelesen. Nun sind Sie schon unterwegs!
Falls es doch noch nützlich ist: uns wurde gesagt, dass das Wasser im Juni üblicherweise am höchsten ist. Malariarisiko: sehr hoch, unbedingt Prophylaxe nehmen. Hitze: tja, weiß auch nicht, wie wir das ausgehalten haben, 50 Grad war schon irre heiß. Wir haben viel kaltes Bier getrunken und uns bei der Wanderung im Delta in Eiswasser getränkte Handtücher um den Hals gelegt. Aber es soll ein Ausnahmesommer gewesen sein, d. h. deutlich heißer als sonst. Sonstiger Tip: hohe Verbreitung von Bilharziose, wenn möglich also nicht ins unbehandelte Süßwasser gehen.
Es würde mich freuen, wenn Sie mir schreiben, wie Ihr Ausflug war. Die Route, die Sie sich vorgenommen haben, liest sich jedenfalls super.
Gute Reise und viel Spass!
Carolin
Written March 13, 2016
hi, we are driving w a 4wd and 2 rooftop tents this july wanting to visit the Okavango delta. Somehow i cannot easily find campsites reachable by car, anyone suggestions?
Thanks much
Written May 16, 2015
Good morning Anne-Marie
South gate campsite next to the main gate is recommendable
You can book online
They can give you more info about other camps inside the Moremi
It is a gavel road as you coming from Maun to the Moremi but easy with any car
In the park it is recommendable to use a 4x4 ( remember a strap or rope to pull you out of the mud or sand when you got stuck.....)
Have a nice trip
Wessel Geldenhuys
Written May 17, 2015
Good morning
If the children is very young somebody will become frustrated specific in the heat
The experience is very good if you are nature lovers
The camp site at south gate is nice.
If you can , use one of the guides because they know the reserve and where to go for you to see wild life
It is A very good experience
Enjoy your visit
Wessel Geldenhuys
Written May 17, 2015
Hi Jess,
I am planning a trip through the Delta this summer and am wondering if you need reservations to camp? We are completely fine with bush camping and will be kitted out to do so. Can we pretty much camp anywhere or do you have to go to certain sites? The campsites I've seen are very expensive.
Any info on camping and self drive in the Delta would be most welcome! Thank you!
Written February 8, 2015
Self driving through the Moremi reserve (around the delta) you will have to camp in the designated camp sites. No freedom camping out in the bush! If you are going in the summer then I strongly recommend you book - the campsites can get full very quickly. If you are driving yourselves then book the campsites directly yourselves in Chobe or Moremi (depending on which way you are driving through the delta). Going through a safari company will be costly. have fun!
Written February 8, 2015
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