3-Day Okavango Delta Mokoro Safari with Bush Walks and Camping

3 Days Round trip from Maun Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Glide by mokoro to a remote island campsite deep in the Okavango Delta
02 Track elephants, zebras, and antelopes on guided bush walks
03 Take a sunset mokoro cruise through narrow channels rich in birdlife
04 Experience authentic camping with open-fire meals and stargazing nights
05 Travel with local poler-guides and an armed nature guide in the Delta

Slip into the stillness of Botswana's Okavango Delta on a 3-day mokoro adventure that pairs silent canoe journeys with guided bush walks and remote island camping. After transferring from Maun to a local poling station, you'll glide through lily-lined channels to a wilderness campsite where days revolve around nature, wildlife tracks, and the rhythm of the Delta. Expect sunrise and late-afternoon walks in search of elephants, zebras, and antelopes, relaxed downtime at camp, and a memorable sunset mokoro cruise as birds call overhead and hippos wallow nearby. Evenings are simple and atmospheric, with dinner over the fire, a bucket shower, and stories under a star-filled sky.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Maun, Okavango Delta

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

From Maun to a Remote Delta Island Camp

Morning: A 1-hour 4x4 or motorboat transfer takes you from Maun to the local mokoro station, such as Boro or Daunara.
Midday: Meet your local poler-guide, pack your equipment into the dugout canoe (mokoro), and spend 2-3 hours gliding silently to a remote island campsite.
Afternoon: Settle into camp, followed by a late afternoon 2-hour guided bush walk to track elephants, zebras, and antelopes.
Evening: Enjoy a bucket shower, dinner cooked over an open fire, and storytelling under the stars.

Day 02

Sunrise Safari Walks and a Sunset Mokoro Cruise

Morning: Set out on a sunrise guided safari walk on the island to spot tracks, birds, and large mammals when they are most active.
Afternoon: Return to camp for a hearty brunch or lunch and a midday siesta in the shade.
Late afternoon: Take a sunset mokoro cruise through narrow channels to spot tiny reed frogs, colorful birds, and wallowing hippos. Some guides also offer lessons on how to pole the canoe yourself.

Day 03

Final Delta Walk and Return to Maun

Morning: Enjoy one last early morning nature walk or a short mokoro paddle, followed by packing up camp.
Afternoon: Glide back to the poling station by mokoro, then board a 4x4 vehicle for the return to Maun by late afternoon.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Maun 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport: Round-trip 4x4 vehicle or motorboat transfers from Maun to the delta poling station.
Equipment: Standard fiberglass or traditional wooden mokoro canoes and all camping gear, including dome tents, bedrolls or mattresses, and sleeping bags.
Guiding: Services of a licensed, professional local poler-guide and an armed nature guide for the walking safaris.
Food & Drink: Three freshly prepared meals a day cooked over the campfire, plus snacks, coffee, tea, and mineral water.
Park Fees: All Okavango Delta community trust entry fees, vehicle permits, and wilderness camping permits.

What's Not Included

Alcohol & Sodas: You must purchase these in Maun beforehand; the operator will provide a cooler box with ice to store them.
Tips/Gratuities: It is customary to tip your personal poler-guide and camp staff at the end of the trip. Budget roughly $10-$20 USD per day.
Personal Hygiene Items: Towels, biodegradable soap, high-SPF sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Travel Insurance: Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for entering the inner delta.

What to bring

Clothing (neutral palette)
Avoid bright colors, pure white (which makes you stand out to wildlife), and dark blue or black (which attract biting tsetse flies). Stick to khaki, olive green, beige, or brown.
2x long-sleeve shirts: Lightweight cotton or linen to protect from intense sun and evening mosquitoes.
2x lightweight pants: Zip-off safari pants are ideal for transitioning from cold mornings to hot afternoons.
1x heavy fleece or jacket: Crucial for freezing early morning water glides. June-August nights get very cold.
1x beanie and gloves: Essential for sunrise safaris on the water.
1x swimwear: For swimming in designated safe, hippo-free delta channels. Ask your guide first.
1x sturdy walking shoes: Closed-toe trail runners or hiking boots with good grip for island bush walks.
1x sandals or flip-flops: To wear exclusively around the campsite.

Know before you go

Strict safety rules on the water.
Keep your limbs inside: never dangle your hands or feet over the edge of the canoe. The delta channels are heavily populated by crocodiles and hippos.
Zero sudden movements: mokoros are narrow dugout canoes with a very high center of gravity. You must sit completely flat and still on the bottom canvas or low seat to avoid capsizing the boat.
Absolute silence: loud talking or music can agitate wildlife, especially hippos, and ruin the experience. Drones are strictly illegal throughout Botswana.
The counterintuitive flood cycle.
Peak water (May to August): the delta floods during Botswana's dry winter months. Rainwater falling months earlier in Angola takes time to flow down, making June through August the absolute prime time for deep water-based mokoro safaris.
Low water / green season (November to April): despite summer rainstorms, local water levels drop significantly. If you book during these months, you may have to drag canoes over shallow mud or pivot entirely to land-based 4x4 game drives.