Authentic Walking Safari

The original safari was the walking safari, and this itinerary takes you back to how all it all began. A brilliant 3 night walking adventure with David Food Safaris in the southern Okavango, a personal introduction to the Delta. This is an experience for safari purists and adventurous travellers looking for an authentic experience. Discover the Okavango on foot, with an excellent and highly experienced guide, simple but comfortable camps and pristine wilderness far from the crowds. A great introduction to the Okavango, easily combined with a permanent camp to extend your safari experience.

These itineraries run as small group departures on set dates or can be booked privately for a more exclusive experience. This is one of the best value walking safaris in the Okavango giving you a chance to share this experience with likeminded adventurous individuals.

The safari takes places  on a private concession in the southern Okavango, an area consisting of small islands and open plains, perfect for walking activities as animals can be easily seen.

The camp is simple but comfortable with walk in tents and full bedding supplied. Bathrooms are shared and are separate from the tent. Meals are delicious, wholesome and fresh.

All camp duties are carried out by the team, allowing you the opportunity to focus entirely on your safari.

Many of the walking safaris are lead by David Foot himself, but this is not guaranteed. All safaris will be lead by highly qualified walking guides with many years of experience.

Day 1- Mobile Camp

Your safari begins in Maun, where you are met by your guide and transferred to camp. Maun is a small town, the gateway to the Okavango and in no time at all your are in the wilderness of the Okavango. The start of the drive is very interesting and a chance to glimpse local life in the Okavango, you will pass villages on the fringes of Maun and then more smaller and more remote settlements as you drive further into the Okavango.

Stopping the car at one of the beautiful channels there will be the option to walk into camp or take one of the traditional dug-out canoes, gentling gliding through the channels created by elephant and hippo.

Finally, you arrive at your new Okavango home. You will have a chance to settle in to camp and freshen up before we set off to explore the area, enjoying a gentle stroll to associate yourself with this beautiful corner of the Okavango while enjoying a sundowner.

Having toasted the setting sun we settle around the campfire for dinner before retiring to bed, to recharge from the journey and prepare the adventures ahead.

Day 2 - Mobile Camp

You may rise naturally with the sounds of the bush, if not an early morning wake up call will be sure you don’t miss the best part of the day! Over a light breakfast we discuss any sounds in the night, we may have been kept awake by the sound of elephants or hippo feeding in camp or perhaps hyena calling during the night. Revitalised with a hot drink we set off on our morning walk.

We read the bush for signs of the night before, tracks from cats and all sorts of animals, the paths are the morning newspaper and we are eager to catch up on the news. A morning walk will fill your head with so many memories – elephants swimming the deep channels, herds of red lechwe skipping through the glistening waters, perhaps glimpses of predators trying to stay hidden and brilliant birdlife everywhere.

As the sun continues to rise and the heat picks up we return to the shade of the camp or perhaps find a natural, crystal clear pool to have a refreshing dip followed by a refreshing lunch and of course a safari siesta. All the animals rest in the heat of the day, and so will we!

As the day cools, we rouse ourselves and enjoy a few refreshments before setting off on our late afternoon walk, venturing out again. The extraordinary light across this breathtaking landscape as the sun sinks below the horizon is quite wonderful, and we will enjoy the sights of animals emerging from the shade as the day cools. You may also wish to give your feet a rest and opt for a leisurely Mekoro sunset cruise.

Another night in the Okavango Delta, will we hear lions calling as they patrol their territory? Safe and snug in your tent you can enjoy the wonderful sounds of the African bush going about its business at night.

Day 3 - Mobile Camp

Another early morning start to make the most of the productive cool weather. Today we have the freedom to head in any direction that takes our fancy, perhaps following up on sounds heard in the night or sightings from the day before. On safari it is important to keep an open mind and be flexible and to allow our days to be formed by the movement of the game rather than the time. This is African time!

Perhaps we will have heard the sawing rasp of a leopard at night and we may spend the morning searching for this most elusive of cats. Or head to the nearby hippo pools to sit quietly and be entertained by their constant antics.

Returning for sunset in camp we gather around the camp fire for drinks and dinner and soak up the incredible night sky, so clear in this pristine and untouched corner of Africa. We retire to bed for the final night in camp.

Day 4 - End of Safari

A final sunrise breakfast marks the end of the safari. After bidding farewells, your luggage is then loaded back in the Mekoros and taken back to the buffalo fence where it all began. Here you will have the option of walking out of the Delta enjoying a last stroll before your next adventure or hopping in to a Mekoro and joining the flotilla of luggage. Either way you will leave feeling like you have quite literally stepped in to another world and truly experienced the true beauty of the Okavango Delta on foot.

Extensions to other camps in the Okavango, or longer walking safaris can be arranged.

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David Foot Safaris

David Foot Safaris

David Foot Safaris

David Foot Safaris

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