4-Day Okavango Delta Fly-in Safari to Gomoti Plains Camp

Your journey begins with a flight into Maun Airport, the primary tourism gateway to the Okavango Delta. Scheduled commercial flights connect to Maun daily from major hubs such as Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB) via Airlink or Air Botswana; Cape Town, South Africa (CPT) via Airlink; and Gaborone, Botswana (GBE) via Air Botswana.

Upon landing in Maun and clearing customs, a representative from a local bush-airline charter service, such as Mack Air or Safari Air, will meet you in the arrivals hall. You will then board a small light aircraft, typically a Cessna Caravan, for the roughly 20-minute flight from Maun Airport to Qorokwe Airstrip.

Please note the strict luggage restriction: because of the small aircraft size, you must pack in soft-sided bags weighing a maximum of 15 kg to 20 kg (33 lbs to 44 lbs) in total, including your hand luggage.

When your charter aircraft touches down on the dirt runway at Qorokwe Airstrip, your professional Machaba Safaris guide will be waiting for you. You will climb into an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle for the 30- to 40-minute drive to Gomoti Plains Camp.

This transfer also serves as your very first game drive, and you will likely spot wildlife such as elephants, impalas, or giraffes before you even check in.

• 05:30 / 05:00 - Wake-up call

• 06:00 / 05:30 - Continental breakfast

• 06:30 / 06:00 - Departure from camp

• 11:30 / 11:00 - Brunch is served

• 15:00 / 15:30 - Afternoon tea in the main area

• 15:30 / 16:00 - Depart for afternoon activity

• 18:30 / 19:00 - Arrive back at camp

• 19:30 / 20:00 - Dinner is served

Please note that the times outlined above are indicative and may vary depending on the camp, season, and other factors. Each day's schedule is tailored to provide the best experience, so please expect flexibility in timings.

Water Activities (Seasonal)

Water-based excursions are highly dependent on the annual arrival of the Okavango Delta floodwaters, which typically peak between May and August.

• Mokoro excursions: traditional dugout canoes propelled by a local 'poler' standing at the stern. This quiet, engine-free transit allows you to glide past reed beds and view frogs, water lilies, and birds at eye level.

• Motorboat safaris: conducted on the deeper channels of the Gomoti River system. These boat trips cover larger distances, making them ideal for spotting pods of hippos, massive crocodiles, and river-dwelling birds.

• Seasonal fishing: offered on a catch-and-release basis in designated channels, primarily targeting tigerfish and bream.

Land Activities

• Morning and afternoon game drives: conducted in open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles equipped with tiered seating. These drives focus on tracking large predators, herds of elephants, and plains game.

• Night game drives: conducted after dark using powerful spotlights. This activity reveals nocturnal species rarely seen by day, such as leopards hunting, genets, porcupines, bushbabies, and owls.

• Guided walking safaris: led on foot by armed, highly qualified professional guides. These walks shift focus to tracking animal footprints, understanding local ecology, and learning about indigenous plants.

Water Activities (Seasonal)

Water-based excursions are highly dependent on the annual arrival of the Okavango Delta floodwaters, which typically peak between May and August.

• Mokoro excursions: traditional dugout canoes propelled by a local 'poler' standing at the stern. This quiet, engine-free transit allows you to glide past reed beds to view frogs, water lilies, and birds at eye level.

• Motorboat safaris: conducted on the deeper channels of the Gomoti River system. These boat trips cover larger distances, making them ideal for spotting pods of hippos, massive crocodiles, and river-dwelling birds.

• Seasonal fishing: offered on a catch-and-release basis in designated channels, primarily targeting tigerfish and bream.

Land Activities

• Morning and afternoon game drives: conducted in open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles equipped with tiered seating. These drives focus on tracking large predators, herds of elephants, and plains game.

• Night game drives: conducted after dark using powerful spotlights. This activity reveals nocturnal species rarely seen by day, such as leopards hunting, genets, porcupines, bushbabies, and owls.

• Guided walking safaris: led on foot by armed, highly qualified professional guides. These walks shift focus to tracking animal footprints, understanding local ecology, and learning about indigenous plants.

Your days at the camp follow a structured bush rhythm designed around peak animal activity:

• 05:30 - Wake-up call with light morning tea, coffee, and biscuits around the campfire.

• 06:00 - Departure for the morning game drive or guided bush walk.

• 10:00 - Return to camp for a hearty brunch, followed by afternoon rest time.

• 15:30 - High tea served in the main dining tent.

• 16:00 - Afternoon game drive or water safari, including a stop for sunset drinks (sundowners).

• 18:30 - Return to camp after dark, followed by dinner and drinks around the fire pit.

On your departure day, your schedule depends entirely on your flight time out of Maun.

• Early flights: if you have a midday international connection, you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at camp before heading straight to the airstrip.

• Late flights: if your onward flight leaves later in the afternoon, you can participate in a shortened morning game drive or water activity, return to camp to pack, and eat brunch before departing.

• Game drive to Qorokwe Airstrip (30-40 mins): your guide will load your soft-sided luggage into the 4x4 vehicle. You will take a final 30- to 40-minute drive through the concession to the airstrip, providing one last opportunity to view local wildlife. The camp coordinates your departure time closely with the bush charter pilots to ensure you arrive at the airstrip roughly 15 to 20 minutes before your plane lands.

• Charter flight to Maun Airport (20 mins): you will board the small light aircraft, such as Mack Air, for your 20-minute flight back to Maun Airport (MUB). Important: the same 15 kg to 20 kg (33 lbs to 44 lbs) soft-sided luggage restriction strictly applies on this flight.

• Connecting to international flights: upon landing at the Maun terminal, you will collect your bags from the tarmac and enter the main airport building. You will then check in at the commercial airline desks for your onward flight to international hubs such as Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT). The camp always schedules your bush charter flight to arrive in Maun at least 2 hours prior to your international commercial departure to give you ample time for check-in and passport control.