Explore the Okavango Delta by houseboatOkavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana’s inland delta – described as ‘Africa’s last Eden’ – is a huge draw card for travellers keen to experience its unmatched wildlife. While most opt for fly-in tented camps or wild camping, sleeping on a houseboat is one of the most unique (and peaceful) ways to experience the Okavango Delta.

Leave the crowds behind and board a small speedboat for a 90-minute journey up winding waterways to your houseboat in the middle of nowhere. Keep your eyes peeled for resident wildlife such as hippo, crocodiles, and plenty of birds. This is one hotel transfer you'll be talking about for years to come!

Once on board, sit back and relax while your captain masterfully prepares three course meals. As you idle up the delta for sunset, help yourself to the honesty bar and enjoy the spectacular views with a sundowner in hand.

Although the cabins are small and basic with shared facilities you're unlikely to spend much time there; this floating home comes action packed with adventures. Take a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) and venture into the myriad waterways with expert local polers. Go on a nature walk around one of the many islands in the Delta before enjoying a picnic lunch. Back on the boat head to the deck to laze away the afternoon listening to the sound of the hippos and crickets, read a book, nap, or perhaps try your hand at some fishing.

The immersion into Botswana doesn't end there, though; in fact, this is just one portion of Intrepid Travel's Botswana Adventure tour. Not only will you journey into Central Kalahari, home to the San Bushman community; Maun, the gateway to the Delta; the arid Makgadikgadi Pans; and Chobe National Park, renowned for its vast communities of elephants and buffalo, but on either side of this you'll alaso experience exciting snippets of Namibia and Zimbabwe (Windhoek and Victoria Falls are just a handful of the highlights). Gear up, because this is set to be an unforgettable immersion into nature.

amenities

• Bedding, towels and mosquito nets provided
• Tea & coffee making facilities

• Honesty bar
• Solar power
• Shared bathrooms

price guide

The 10-day Botswana Adventure tour starts from US$3205 and departs between February and December.

difficulty

Not only is this about as remote as it gets, you’ll also be in relatively close confines. There’s no jumping off the boat to go for a stroll. Be prepared to get off the grid and back to nature.

contact

Intrepid Travel
intrepidtravel.com

need to know

This tip was provided by Intrepid Travel, but we’re sharing it with you because we think it’s great.