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Okavango Delta Explorations

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Okavango Delta Explorations

The Okavango Delta experts. Creating tailor made safaris to the Okavango Delta and beyond based on expert knowledge and first-hand experience.

We are UK licensed and regulated Tour Operator.

27/10/2023

Exploring the waterways of the Okavango by Mokoro (the traditional dug-out canoe) is the ultimate slow safari - an incredibly peaceful experience allowing you to connect with the sights, sounds and smells of the environment. Mostly the focus is on the smaller creatures which call the wetlands home – but occasionally the bigger animals return to steal the show! A wonderful picture shared with us by our recent travelers to the Khwai Private Reserve. Thank you!
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20/10/2023

Fans of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books take note! There are only a few places left on our specially crafted Botswana tour in the company of Alexander McCall Smith. This wonderful 8 night itinerary runs from 11-19 March and combines some great cultural and conservation experiences with a superb safari to the Okavango Delta. Contact us for more information.
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18/04/2023

Introducing a wonderful new children’s book, Let’s Save the Okavango – a story by about the incredible biodiversity of the Okavango Delta and why it is so important to protect it. This beautifully illustrated book brings to life the rich world of the Okavango and the important role it plays for the people and wildlife who call this home. It tackles the issues which threaten the future of the Okavango and offers ideas for helping to protect it. A fantastic book for young people – best enjoyed together with the many activities and teaching resources on the author’s website.

https://www.catherinebarrbooks.me/
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15/03/2023

Today marks a great milestone in Botswana conservation. Sixty years ago the Moremi Game Reserve was created, one of the first reserves in Africa to be formed by the indigenous pop**ation, working together with conservationists.

Concerned by the rapid depletion of wildlife due to uncontrolled hunting and cattle encroachment the Ngamiland Fauna Conservation Society, together with prominent members of the local Batswana community, campaigned to protect an important section of the Okavango Delta.

Finally, on 15 March 1963, the Moremi Game Reserve was created, named after Chief Moremi III of the local Batawana tribe. Importantly, the chieftaincy whose land spread across the proposed protected area, was involved in the preservation society right from the beginning. Interestingly this was under the leadership of the deceased Chief Moremi III's wife, Elizabeth Pulane Moremi (pictured). Mrs Moremi was progressive woman who played an important role in persuading the community of the need to protect their ancestral lands.

It was thanks to this bold initiative that one of Botswana’s richness resources, the Okavango Delta, was preserved for future generations.
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24/10/2022

The first rains have arrived! And with it follows a delicious earthy scent – the smell of rain, known as Petrichor.

Petrichor describes the warm earthy smell released by the first rains after a dry spell. In the 1960s, two Australian scientists coined the term which comes from the Greek words 'petra', meaning stone, and 'ichor', which in Greek mythology refers to the ethereal golden fluid that flows in the veins of the immortals.

This distinctive small is released when rainfall arrives. Raindrops landing on dusty or clay soils trap tiny air bubbles on the surface which then shoot upward - as in a glass of Champagne - and burst out of the drop throwing aerosols of scent into the air where they are then distributed by wind. Release of the scent is most prominent when light/moderate rain falls on sandy or clay soils. During very heavy rain, the speed of the drops represses the creation of bubbles stopping the release of aerosols.

During their research into Petrichor, rocks that had been exposed to warm, dry conditions were steam distilled to reveal a yellow coloured oil that had become trapped in the rocks and soil, a substance they discovered was responsible for the smell. The source of this oil is a combination of oils secreted by plants during dry weather (which signals to halt root growth and seed germination) and chemicals released by soil-dwelling bacteria.
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05/10/2022

The Okavango is a true wilderness: an unfenced network of private reserves blend into the national park with wildlife roaming freely across this 100 mile alluvial fan. This is one of the last pristine natural sanctuaries on earth.

Contact us to start planning your safari to the Okavango Delta.

Picture taken by D Woolgar while on a Kwando safari. A Botswana owned safari operator which boasts one of the most diverse safari camp portfolios in Botswana.
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04/10/2022

Jimmy was tired of hunting and decided he might be more of a gatherer. Though he got a lot of stick from the pride….

Captured by F Pieterse with Kwando Safaris who operate a fantastic portfolio of camps in prime locations across Botswana.
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03/10/2022

Meet one of the Okavango’s youngest engineers – Hippos are a keystone species of the Okavango, helping to develop and maintain the waterways which define the Delta as we know it.

Baby Hippos (known as calves) are born under water and must swim to the top to take their first breath. They are born weighing between 25 and 50 kg (55 and 110 lbs) and are around 127 cm (1.717 feet) in length. They will suckle for around 8 months, slowly moving onto vegetation, eventually eating around 36 kgs of grass a day and weighing around 1.5 tonnes as a full grown adult.

This adorable baby hippo was captured by our guests staying at Little Sable, a charming little camp in the eastern Okavango.

Picture kindly shared by our guest, Freya Hinson
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30/09/2022

Happy Boipuso! Happy Independent Day Botswana! Celebrating 56 years of independence and democracy.

Botswana’s flag, adopted in 1966, was a pointed contrast to the flag of neighbouring South Africa under Apartheid rule at the time. Botswana proclaimed in the flag’s central black stripe and its white bordering stripes a belief in racial harmony and equality. The light blue background of the flag is associated with the sky and with water, a scarce and precious commodity in this predominately desert country. The importance of water is also reflected in the motto that appears in the national coat of arms: it is a single word, “Pula,” representing rain, hope, and confidence in the future.

The second picture depicts Botswana’s coat of arms. In the centre a traditional African shield is held by two Zebra – the national animal. The stripes of the zebra represent racial equality and importance of wildlife and tourism. The elephant tusk represents the country’s rich wildlife (over a third of African elephants are found in Botswana) while the stem of sorghum symbolises agriculture – half of the country live in rural areas and rely on subsistence farming. The bull symbolises the importance of the cattle industry to the country’s economy and the cultural touchstone. The 3 cogwheels represent industry and mining – Botswana is one of the largest producer of gem stones in the world. Finally, the 3 blue waves in the centre honours the importance of water – a rare and precious resource in the country.
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26/07/2022

When it comes to river-based safaris in Chobe it’s hard to beat the experience at Chobe Savanna Lodge. As these fantastic pictures from Kendra Philman, who travelled with us in June, will show.

Chobe Savanna Lodge is set on the banks of the Chobe River in a rich wildlife area overlooking Botswana’s famous Chobe National Park. Its unique location offers stunning views from several vantage points and being set far from the Chobe crowds, it offers the perfect (and immensely peaceful) base for a river safari.

Photo Credit: Kendra Philman and Thank you for sharing!
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01/07/2022

Peek-a-boo! The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) is famous for using a hunting method known as canopy feeding —shaping its wings like an umbrella while hunting. Another wonderful capture from

The reasoning behind this distinctive behaviour has long been a topic of debate. A common theory is that small fish looking for places to hide are attracted to the shade created by the heron’s wings. Other theories relate to visibility. The feathered canopy reduces reflection and so provides better visibility, and also obscures the silhouette of the heron. Though experts say there is little evidence that these are primary functions for so complex a behaviour. Indeed whether fish are attracted to or flee the canopy and foot stirring is still debatable. There is no reason why all factors could not play a part.
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27/06/2022

An extraordinary shot of female leopard and her wild cat kill! A remarkable sighting, beautifully captured by one of our travellers on a photographic safari in April. Thank you for sharing your images.

Do take a look at our stories for more wonderful pictures of her safari through Nxai Pan, the Okavango and Chobe.
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20/04/2022

Beautiful but bashful. Kudu are extremely shy and highly alert, most comfortable in woodland and thickets where they will stand motionless when they sense danger, easily blending into the bush.

Lacking the speed and stamina to flee predators on open ground they instead rely on their narrow bodies and long legs to leap through thickets when escaping predators with a distinctive and delightful rocking horse motion.
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31/03/2022

News to smile about. Fully vaccinated visitors no longer need a PCR test to visit Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Booster requirements have also been dropped. Unvaccinated visitors simply need to present a valid PCR test on arrival (test timings vary by country). Southern Africa awaits! Speak to us for more details and to start planning your safari.

He's not actually smiling of course. The act of curling up the lip to expose the teeth while inhaling is known as the flehmen response and is common in a number of animals. The air is charged with chemical messages, by drawing air into their olfactory (smell) sense organ they have a better interpretation of the surrounding smell - identifying a rival or potential mate for example.
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21/02/2022

17/02/2022

06/02/2022

A simple hop skip and a jump from Botswana, Victoria Falls makes a fantastic addition to your safari. The local name, Mosi oa-Tunya, means The Smoke that Thunders –a far more evocative description than the colonial name which was adopted.

As the Zambezi River tumbles down 100 metres from a vertical chasm, Victoria Falls is formed. Stretching across 1,700 metres and falling at heights between 80-110 metres, Victoria Fall is one and a half times wider than Niagara Falls and twice the height making it the biggest curtain of water in the world. At its peak up to 5 million cubic square metres of water plunges over the rim every minute- a staggering sight.

Across the 1,700 rim there are a number of gorges, or ‘falls’, most of which fall within the Zimbabwe side, rather than the Zambian side. The gorges are known locally as Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, The Devil’s Cataract and Horseshoe Falls in Zimbabwe and the Eastern Cataract in Zambia. The new Uni Visa allows visitors to visit both sides very easily.

Thick vegetation and woodland surrounds the falls, known as The Victoria Falls Rainforest, though not strictly a rain forest it forms a unique and fascinating eco-system.

With a superb range of accommodation options, from grand old colonial style hotels to intimate safari lodges on the banks of the Zambezi, Victoria Falls has something got everyone.
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03/02/2022

Why do Zebras have stripes? A debate which has echoed through scientific circles for over a hundred years. And continues to this day. Studies focussed on three main possibilities: Thermoregulation, protection from predators and protection from flies - the latter being the most pop**ar.

The basic idea behind the thermoregulation theory is that black stripes would absorb heat in the morning and warm up zebras, whereas white stripes reflect light more and could thus help cool zebras as they graze for hours in the blazing sun. Another suggested purpose behind the stripes is protection from predators- when grouped together in a dazzling herd it becomes more difficult for predators such as lions to stalk an individual animal.

But it is the most recent theory following the results of a study in 2019 that has become the most pop**ar - that stripes deter flies. Flies that bite and suck blood are a common menace and can also transmit diseases. Studies have shown that flies tend to not land on striped surfaces. It appears the stripes dazzle the flies as they get closer. The flies would try to land on the stripes, but then fail to decelerate as they normally would approaching a non-striped surface, and bounce off.

Perhaps it is a combination of all three. In any event- they are very beautiful!
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26/01/2022

The charmingly named ‘Kalahari String of Stars’ (Heliotropium Ciliatum) are delicate flowers which spring up with the rains at this time of year. In traditional medicine the flower is used for various sicknesses in children.

The bush is carpeted with wild flowers at the moment and very beautiful. A nature lovers paradise!
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24/01/2022

Despite their name, many Kingfishers don’t actually fish. There are 9 species of Kingfishers found in Botswana though only four actually fish for their food. Physically there aren’t major differences between the fish-eating versus insect-eating kingfishers, they all have similar body and bill designs. However there is an interesting difference in their behaviour: the insect-eating kingfishers are predominantly (not entirely) migratory. See the list below.

Can you identify the various species? Why not try the quiz in our stories?!

1. Malachite Kingfisher – Resident - Mainly Fish

2. Pied Kingfisher - Resident - Mainly Fish

3. Half-collared Kingfisher - Resident – Mainly Fish

4. Giant Kingfisher - Resident – Mainly Fish

5. Brown-hooded Kingfisher - Resident – insects, small reptiles

6. Striped Kingfisher – Resident -Mainly insects

7. Grey-headed Kingfisher – Migrant - Insects

8. Woodland Kingfisher - Migrant - Mainly insects

9. African Pygmy Kingfisher - Migrant – Mainly Insects
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11/01/2022

We’ve had some wonderful summer rains this season – and now we’re all splashing about, enjoying the life giving waters which make the bush so beautiful and alive at this time of year. The landscape seems to glow with a hundred different shades of green, and so this time of year is known as the Green Season. It is the Okavango at its most beautiful – lush and bursting with life. Wild flowers carpet the plains and the animals are thriving. It is a wonderful time for photography, the air is clean and bright.
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22/12/2021

Take a ride on the wild side! Cycle safaris are ideal for adventurous travellers looking for a unique safari experience. Prepare for the ride of your life as you cycle ancient elephant paths and quietly pass towering giraffe.

Cycle Mashatu offer a range of mountain bike safaris in Mashatu, in the eastern corner of Botswana. Their specialist guides will lead you on 4 or 7 night safaris through this stunning and rich landscape. Mashatu is truly a hidden gem, this region is often overlooked by travellers but those who make the effort to travel here will be rewarded with superb game viewing, striking landscapes and very few people. Contact us for more details.
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20/12/2021

Leaping lioness. She doesn’t fancy the muddy waters today, though is a good swimmer like the rest of the Duba lions in the northern Okavango where this was pictured. Some experts have suggested the Okavango lions have developed particularly powerful legs thanks to all the wading and swimming they do. Certainly some prides in the more aquatic areas have displayed particularly powerful shoulders.

The Duba concession in the northern Okavango features two luxury camps – Duba Explorers and Duba Plains Camp.
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17/12/2021

Summer skies. This is such a beautiful time of year to visit. The dust has gone, the air is fresh and sweet from the rains - and full of bird song as our migratory visitors return. The lush landscape brings vitality and the animals are the picture of health- glossy coats and full tummies. We love the green season, a much underrated time to go on safari.
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15/12/2021

Did you hear the good news? The travel bans imposed 3 weeks ago are beginning to lift. The UK has removed Botswana from the ‘red list’ and most airlines have resumed flights to South Africa again. With the EU, US and other countries reviewing their travel polices it is expected the remaining restrictions will lift soon.

Botswana remains open to all vaccinated travellers – a simple PCR test is the only additional requirement for entry.

Pictured is the European Bee-Eater – a migratory visitor to Botswana during the summer months from around October-April.
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14/12/2021

Create your own ‘safari bubble’ with a private mobile safari – your exclusive camp complete with a vaccinated and tested team on hand to guide you through the wilds of Botswana. Moving through the most beautiful and game rich areas of the country at a gentle pace allows for a deeper, more holistic safari experience. Just you and your travel bubble – and the pristine wilderness of Beautiful Botswana. Perfect for friends and families looking for an African adventure.

Pictures from Barclay Stenner who operate private mobile safaris through northern Botswana. Two levels of luxury camp are offered – both extremely comfortable and among the best in Botswana. .stenner.safari
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07/12/2021

A beautiful picture shared with us by one of our guests on a photographic safari in November.

Taken by Jordan Kreidberg who joined professional wildlife photographer .by.danny on a mobile safari through northern Botswana. The itinerary is specially designed for keen photographers looking to take their skills to the next level and explores Botswana’s richest wildlife areas. These small group tours are extremely pop**ar and fill up fast- there are only a few spots left on the 2022 tours! Contact us for more details.
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06/12/2021

Ever wondered what it takes to be a safari guide? The African Guide Academy, based in the Okavango Delta, offers a range of courses for anyone with an adventurous spirit looking for a deeper understanding of the African wilderness.

From 7 day bush skills to 28 day Nature or Field Guide course, these programmes offer practical experience of navigation, bush survival skills, tracking, mammal and bird identification, weapon handling and so much more. Adventurers, nature lovers and survivalists will love these courses . The short 7 day bush skills course combines particularly well with adventurous self-drive trips – helping you to make the most of your time in the bush.

Pictured are students on a fly-camp excursion- a wilderness sleep-out experience away from the main camp for a couple of nights offering the chance to hone those bush skills.

Contact us for more details.
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Address

35 Wimbledon Hill Rd, Wimbledon
London
SW197NB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

https://www.okavangodelta.com/

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Videos

Gliding peacefully through the Okavango waters on a mokoro is a quintessential Delta experience. Beautifully captured by one of our team visiting Xugana Island Lodge last week with @desertdelta . - - - - #okavangadelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #okavango #botswanasafari #mokoro #mokorosafari #slowtravelling #slowtravel #slowsafari #canoeadventures #waterways #wetlands #desertanddeltasafaris #watersafari #africansafaritours

Sunrise in the Okavango - celebrated from the air. A spectacular start to the day. Pictured at Kweene Trails, a pristine corner of the Delta where Beagle Expeditions run authentic, adventurous and off the beaten-track safaris. This is true wilderness where your only access to camp is by helicopter. Flying with the doors off you’ll enjoy unobstructed views as you explore this extraordinary landscape with your expert guide. @helicopterhorizons @beagle_expeditions @safari_essence - - - - #okavangodelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #botswanasafari #flyingsafaris #helicopterview #helicopterhorizons #helicoptertour #sunriselover #sunrisephotography #africaamazing #amazingafrica #safarilife #safariphotography #luxurysafari #adventuretouring #travelafrica #liftoff #aerialphotography #viewfromabove #adventuretime #luxurytraveller #africatravel #wildlifesafari #theoutbound #shotsofafrica #kweenetrails

“Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” wrote the explorer Dr Livingstone on first seeing Victoria Falls in 1855. The Flight of Angels helicopter trip now offers you the chance to experience the full splendour of this natural wonder from above. A fantastic activity to include in your Vic Falls visit. - - - #victoriafalls #victoriafallszimbabwe #flightofangels #livingstone #naturalwonders #naturalwondersoftheworld #okavangodeltaexplorations #travelafrica #africaseden #visitzimbabwe #waterfalls #helicopterride #helicopterview #adventuretravel #helicoptero #instahelicopter #waterfallsofinstagram #landscapephotography #aerialphotography #aerialview #aerialbeauty

Sound On! Dumela Botswana! 🇧🇼 💙We’re celebrating the news from the UK that Botswana, and indeed all of Africa, has been removed from the red list - meaning quarantine is no longer necessary on return. As so many northern hemisphere visitors travel to us via London this has a major impact on tourism in Botswana. A warm welcome is guaranteed! Like this moment in Savute- when arriving late to our camp we gathered around the fire for some warming drinks and the team suddenly bust into this beautiful welcome song. 🧡 Who’s ready for a Botswana adventure?! - - - - #botswana #visitbotswana #travel2021 #travelnow #botswanasafari #adventuretravel #getoutside #okavangodelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #botswanatourism #campfire #postlockdown #freedom #savuti #chobe #choir #campfirestories #travelready

View from the hide – so close we could count every beautifully baggy wrinkle. This was a magical afternoon spent in a ground level photo hide watching the comings and goings of this busy little waterhole on the Khwai Private Reserve. It’s a popular spot - we saw a steady stream of elephants come down to drink, as well as hyena, kudu, warthog and impala. It’s a joy to simply sit and let the animals comes to you- the perfect slow safari. A visit to the photo hide is part of the Skybed experience, as well as for visitors at Hyena Pan, and often a highlight of your stay. @naturalselectiontravel - - - - - #elephant #photohide #elephantlove #waterhole #okavangodelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #safarilife #safarimoments #safariphotography #travelgram #animallovers #wildlifephotography #wildlifelovers #animalfanatics #naturelovers #botswana #botswanasafari #africansafari #slowtravel #slowdown #elephantsofinstagram

Gliding along the Okavango Panhandle at the golden hour, watched by a colony of gregarious white fronted bee-eaters. - - - - - - - #okavangodelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #beeeater #beeeaters #slowdown #slowtravel #birdsofinstagram #birding #botswanasafari #africansafari #botswana #visitbotswana #goldenhour #boating #riverlife #wetlands #safarilife #whitefrontedbeeeater

Hot and Huffy!

Sound on! She’s a little hot and huffy. We met this lioness just 1 minute from Xigera Safari lodge, on the way to the airstrip. She’d been separated from the pride during a romantic liaison with the dominant male and now she’s making this contact call to find the rest of the pride. They were at the airstrip waiting for us! Her sister eventually got up to find her. The boys stayed to waive us off. Lions roar to maintain contact and to advertise their status and territory- particularly males, whose call can be heard up to 8km away. Listen out in the early morning and at night for this iconic sound of the African bush.

Finally we’re all beginning to emerge from our lockdown burrows, like this tentative little meerkat. International travel is back on the horizon and we’re delighted to see such a keen interest in Botswana. This is no surprise - with vast tracts of pristine wilderness and carefully controlled visitor numbers it is the perfect post-lockdown safari for those looking to celebrate their new freedom in nature, without the crowds. Depending on the country of origin it is absolutely possible to travel to Botswana now. For those not yet able to travel but looking ahead to better and brighter days – now is the perfect time to start planning your African adventure. Contact us for more details.

A jewel in the Kalahari desert, the Okavango Delta is an oasis of life. It is one of the planet’s greatest wetlands, a refuge for wildlife and rich in biodiversity. Within this pristine environment a relatively low number of safari camps operate across a network of private concessions bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. These areas are carefully managed to keep visitor numbers low and therefore reduce the impact on the environment. This sustainable model of tourism has ensured the Okavango remains unspoiled – a true wilderness, and one which can be explored peacefully, without crowds. Contact us to plan your tailormade Okavango Delta safari. - - - - - - - - - - - - #okavangodelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #kalahari #wetlands #wetlandsconservation #giraffe #giraffes #intotheokavango #safariexperience #safarilife #botswanasafari #africansafari #luxurysafari #safariexperts #flyingsafaris #aerialphotography #aerial #wildlifephotography #safariphotography #offthebeatentrack #adventuretravel #naturephotography #travelphotography #traveldestination #travelinspiration

The crystal clear waters of the Okavango Delta. - - - - - - - - - - - #okavangodelta #clearwaters #wetlands #wetlandsconservation #intotheokavango #okavangodeltaexplorations #water #sunset #africansafari #botswana #botswanasafari #safari #safariexperience

Sound on! Escape to the Okavango for a moment and let the smoothing, ocean-like sound of the palm trees rattling in the wind wash over you. Xigera, in the western Okavango, is synonymous with these towering fan palms which dot the horizon. A beautiful area with particularly striking sunsets thanks to the palm trees which dance in the background. This pretty corner of the Okavango is home to one of the Delta’s most luxurious lodges, the newly rebuilt @xigeralodge - - - - - - - - #okavangodelta #palmtrees #soothingsounds #sky #lookup #okavangodeltaexplorations #africansky #oasis #botswanasafari #botswana #luxurysafari #safariexperience #safariexperts #xigera #xigerasafarilodge #lilacbreastedroller #africansafari #slowtravel

Welcome to the Okavango Delta. - - - - - - - #okavangodelta #okavangodeltaexplorations #aerialphotography #mackair #aviation #bushplane #bushflying #botswana #botswanasafari #africansafari #viewfromabove #birdseyeview #xigera #aerialistsofig #luxurysafari #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #exploreafrica #adventuretravel #lightaircraft #wetlands #safariexperience #safariexperts #travelexpert

Impala horns still putting up a fight even in death. An important meal for this female leopard who has a hungry cub to feed. He was tucked away in the thicket below, swatting butterflies. It will be a while before he takes on a big impala like his mother. A fantastic sighting at Shinde this week- just a few minutes from camp. - - - - - - - - - #okavangodelta #leopard #okavangodeltaexplorations #intotheokavango #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifevideos #animalvideos #animalphotography #survival #impala #gamedrive #africanbush #safariphotography #safariexperience #botswana