Transfer today to the Cape Town airport for your flight to Maun. Met on arrival and you are assisted for your light aircraft flight to the Okavango Delta. The short flight is a highlight in itself as you fly over one of the world’s most amazing ecosystems and spot wildlife from the air. On arrival you will be transferred to &Beyond Nxabega Safari Camp for four nights, comprising of nine luxury safari tents with ensuite facilities and private decks facing out over expansive lagoons and channels. Burnished teak floors and a lofty roof frame the sitting and dining areas. Private bush dinners, lamplit cocktails on a river island or a walking safari with al fresco picnic are provided with pleasure by Nxabega’s warm and friendly staff. Nxabega has just completed a grand refurbishment which has placed among the portfolio’s top properties.
Game Drives
Game drives in the Okavango Delta are remote and secluded, with very few safari vehicles sharing the private concession. &Beyond’s professionally trained guides tailor drives to your preferences, promising up-close views of unique wildlife and flourishing vegetation. In this untamed landscape, sensitive off-road driving practices allow you to get up close the area’s exceptional wildlife. Each game drive is an adventure, balancing along narrow wooden bridges and splashing through shallow crossings in a rugged open safari vehicle. Set out in search of the Delta rich wildlife, including its semi-aquatic antelopes, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Search from the area’s predators, from lion prides to cheetah, leopard and African wild dog. Explore the open woodlands in search of roan and sable antelope or keep an eye out for graceful giraffes and frisky zebras on the floodplains. On the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, marvel at breeding herds of that elephant splash gently through shallow channels. Afternoon drives continue after night, allowing for nocturnal wildlife encounters. Watch out for the rarely spotted serval and pangolin or watch the moon reflect off the backs of a family of hippo coming out of the water to graze, turning them into slabs of shining silver.
Mokoros
Glide through maze of channels, islands and opaque lagoons on a traditional mokoro dugout canoe and enjoy the seasonal beauty of the Okavango Delta. The 20-foot canoes sport distinct edges at the bow and stern and can cater for up to two passengers at a time. This exclusive guest list ensures an intimate excursion during which you can appreciate the quiet motion of the vessel as it glides across the still, dark water. Mekoro were traditionally hand carved out of the huge Okavango Delta trees, but are now made out of environmentally friendly fibre-glass in an effort to adopt sustainable practices in the region. Guests sit in front of a trained guide and oarsman, who stands firm at the boat’s stern, manually propelling the vessel with a ngashi pole, whittled from the branches of terminalia trees. Polers, as they’re fondly referred to, are introduced to mekoro from early childhood, expertly manoeuvring the narrow boat with precision, grace and speed. The month of June completely transforms the ordinarily dry and arid Moremi into a bustling oasis. The river floods, creating a maze of waterways and lagoons where delicate lilies shyly float above the shadowy surface. Explore the Okavango Delta, sitting mere centimetres above the smooth, clear water, as you silently pass by unsuspecting wildlife. Marvel at stout hippos as they fight over territory and crocodiles that stealthily stalk unsuspecting prey drinking deeply at the water’s edge. At the heart of the Delta lies a secluded network of waterways and islands where life slows down even further. Witness life from a new perspective, following routes taken by the river Bushmen and BaYei people for centuries and used to this day by local tribes, who still travel by mokoro. Encounter grazing herds of rare swamp-dwelling sitatunga and red lechwe antelope, as well as elephants that tower over islands fringed with palms. Watch in awe as these majestic beasts submerge neck-deep, swimming through a network of reeds inhabited by tiny frogs of all colours, all under the watchful eye of the elegant African fish eagle.
Motorized Boats
Explore the Okavango Delta’s intricate network of winding channels and glassy lagoons on board a sleek, motorized boat that covers great distances, showcasing magnificent views of the watery landscape. The unique perspective from the boat offers great sightings of water birds, such as ponderous herons, colourful bee-eaters, solemn owls and jewelled kingfishers. Tiny reed frogs cling to stilt-like grasses, creating colourful dots along the water’s surface. Discover this watery heart of this majestic landscape, which echoes with the regal call of the African fish eagle.
Water activities subject to water levels.
Note: As an alternative &Beyond Xaranna Delta Lodge can also be booked for this special.
