Tell me more about the Okavango Delta area
Where will we be?
Your journey will mostly take place in the Okavango Delta area which is located in Maun, Botswana and situated just above South Africa. Botswana is considered a safe country as it is both financially and politically stable. The country also been referred to as the Switzerland of Africa and Africa’s hidden gem. Here’s a video with more information.
About Maun
Maun is the fifth largest city in Botswana. As of 2011, it had a population of 55,784. Maun is considered the "tourism capital" of Botswana and the Administrative Centre of the Ngamiland district. Francistown and Maun are linked by the A3 highway. Botswana has a semi-Arid desert climate characterized by great differences in day and night Temperatures. Winter and summer are opposite times of the year as and Europe and North America.
Winter months: June, July and August; average temperatures are between 41-80°F or 5-27°C.
Spring months: late August through September; average temps are between 59-90°F or 15-31°C.
Summer months: November, December through to March; average temps are 60-95°F or 16-35°C.
Autumn months: April and May; average temps of 59-86°F or 15-30°C.
Is it safe?
Africa Culture Journeys provides top quality equipment and facilities and we participate in regular safety inspections by tourism industry officials and authorities. Also, our staff is trained and certified by the Maun Wildlife training Institute.
Even though Botswana is considered one of the safest countries in Africa, please remain alert and take precautions to safeguard personal property at all times. We recommend leaving as many of your valuables (expensive watches, jewelry, electronics, etc) as possible at home. Keep laptops and cellphones in a secure place. Luggage locks are advisable when traveling in Africa.
What are the common languages in Botswana?
The official language in Botswana is English and the national language is Setswana. However, we have other languages like sesarwa (bushmen language), setawana, seherero, sekalaka etc.
The country is Called Botswana
The people are called Batswana, and
We speak Setswana
How do local wildlife and people live together?
The local people coexist with the wildlife freely as both humans and animals show mutual respect for each other. For the most part, the wildlife has enough food and water in their natural habitats and do not bother the local communities. Conflict can arise when there is a severe drought and animals are forced to migrate or even push boundaries that they don’t normally do. Most affected by this are the local farmers. Farmers are normally compensated by the government of Botswana for any damage done by wildlife to their fields, domestic animals or property. At Africa Culture Journeys, we take all precautions to safeguard every step of your journey.
Besides seeing animals, what else should I do while I'm in Botswana?
Drive cross country - sightsee/meet different cultures, food tasting, and visit different landscapes and heritage sites.
Experience urban culture - visit Gaborone and explore the city life of the capital city.
Horseback riding.
Note: we can also add these excursions to your journey. Just ask!
What other excursions should we do while in the Okavango Delta area?
In addition to experiencing local culture and viewing animals, here are additional activities that can compliment your stay in the Okavango Delta:
Mokoro rides: originally made from the trunks of ebony or African sausage trees and hollowed out by hand, the mokoro is a type of canoe that was created centuries ago. Today, this iconic boat ride is mostly made from fiberglass but still remains as one of the Delta’s oldest traditions and is still used by the Bayei and river bushmen as a form of transportation. The tranquility of this ride is beyond comparison. Sit back and relax as your operator calmly guides you through shallow waters using a poling stick at the rear as this canoe has no engine. Enjoy the landscape, get close to aquatic plants, flowers, birdlife, and rare mammals like the statunga.
Boat Cruise: explore the Delta on a motor boat and get get a close view of the aquatic plants, birdlife, waterways and animals.
Walking Safaris: In this type of safari, you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local ecosystem. This activity is led by professional guides who are specialized to lead guests through walking trails safely. For your safety, the guide walks with a rifle but the aim is to view animals in their natural habitat without being detected.
Note: we can also add these excursions to your journey. Just ask!
