Footsteps Across the Delta – Walking Safari

On arrival in Maun you will be met by a representative and assisted onto your light aircraft flight to the private Shinde concession. The flight takes approximately 25 minutes and offers a spectacular introduction to the Okavango Delta, with its waterways, islands and floodplains spreading out beneath you.

Landing at the bush airstrip, you are met by your guide and continue to camp in an open safari vehicle. The short game drive to camp allows you to begin acclimatising to the bush, while your guide introduces you to the area, its wildlife and what to expect over the coming days.

On arrival at camp, a refreshing drink and snacks await. After meeting the team, your guide will give a safety briefing before you settle into your tent and freshen up after the journey.
Later in the afternoon, if time and conditions allow, you head out on your first short walk. This is a gentle introduction to walking in the African bush, giving you time to become comfortable on foot while learning about current wildlife movements and the surrounding environment.

You return to camp where a hot shower and time to freshen up await before evening drinks around the fire. Dinner is enjoyed under the stars, with your guide sharing stories of Botswana, its people and the intricate ecosystems of the Okavango Delta. Retire to bed accompanied by the sounds of the African night.

The day begins before sunrise with a gentle wake‑up call at your tent. Meeting around the fire for piping hot coffee or tea and a light breakfast, you then set off on foot to explore the bush.

Early mornings are the best time for walking safaris, before the heat of the day sends animals (and people) to the shade. Predators are often still active, plains game is on the move and the bush is coming to life. These are your longest walks, typically lasting around four hours depending on sightings and conditions.

Walking along lagoon edges and open floodplains, you may encounter giraffe, zebra, tsessebe, impala, wildebeest and lechwe, while hippos retreat to the cool waters. Birdlife is excellent, particularly during the migratory season. Throughout the walk, your guide reads the “news of the bush”, interpreting tracks, signs and animal behaviour along the way.

You return to camp late morning for a well‑earned lunch, followed by time to relax during the heat of the day. Spend the afternoon at leisure – reading in your tent, relaxing on your veranda or watching wildlife move through camp.

Later in the afternoon, as temperatures cool, you meet for tea and refreshments before heading out again. Water levels permitting, this may include a mokoro excursion, gliding silently through lily‑filled channels with the chance of spotting sitatunga, one of the Okavango’s most elusive antelope species.

By now you will have settled into the rhythm of the African bush. After a light breakfast, you set off on another morning walk, often heading in a new direction to explore a different part of the concession.

Tracking animals through the Kalahari sands, your guide explains movements and encounters by reading the prints and signs left behind. This area is home to a number of predators, including lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog, all of which may be encountered at a respectful and safe distance, creating unforgettable safari moments.

You return to camp for lunch and a rest during the heat of the day. The afternoon is kept relaxed after the long walk, with options to try your hand at fishing, enjoy a game drive to explore deeper into the concession, or simply spend time in camp.

The final evening is a celebratory one, sharing stories and memories over dinner under the stars. You retire to your tent for your last night, drifting off to sleep to the calls of hippos and frogs from nearby waterways.

Your final morning schedule will depend on your flight time. If time allows, you may enjoy one last short walk or a game drive before returning to the airstrip for your flight back to Maun. The plan will be discussed with your guide the evening before to ensure a relaxed and unrushed end to your safari.