Where to go for your autumn adventure
Autumn travel is for colour, culture and smaller crowds – as these six destinations prove. When Britain’s summertime ebbs away to autumn,
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The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland water systems. Millions of years ago the Okavango River used to flow into a large inland lake called Lake Makgadikgadi (now Makgadikgadi Pans). Tectonic activity and faulting interrupted the flow of the river causing it to back up and form what is now the Okavango Delta. This has created a unique system of waterways that now supports a vast array of animal and plant life in what would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari savanna.
The delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dog, buffalo and wattled crane as well as the other more common mammals and birds
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Some of the camps and lodges in the Okavango delta offer guests the option to go on specialised fishing trips. You can try your hand at catching the feisty tiger fish, tilapia, African pike, and a variety of bream species, on a catch and release basis. Most of the fishing takes place in the panhandle region in the north where the river feeds into the delta and specialised guides will show you the techniques and secret spots to make your fishing trip an enjoyable experience.
A guided nature walk is a superb way to get close to the larger wildlife that roams the bush, as well as an opportunity to pay close attention to more subtle aspects that often go ignored. Track some the the Okavango's more elusive animals in the company of an experienced walking guide, an experience that should not be missed.
Horse riding in the delta is only available at specific camps and lodges, but is well worth it if you are looking for a unique safari experience. Explore the wonderful landscapes of the Okavango delta on a half- or full-day horseback safari, one of the best opportunities to get close to the delta’s outstanding wildlife and bird species. In the company of experienced rangers, set off on an extraordinary adventure which caters for all riding abilities, from a slow walk while stalking wildlife and admiring birdlife, to cantering through the water meadows alongside giraffes and lechwe antelopes. We recommend both African Horseback Safaris (Macatoo Camp) and Motswiri Camp.
An iconic delta experience, a mokoro trip in the Okavango’s shallow lagoons is a must when visiting the region. Mokoros are canoes, traditionally made from the dugout trunks of large straight trees, such as ebony and kigelia, although nowadays many of them are made out of fibreglass for conservation reasons. Manned by experienced oarsmen who learn the ropes often from an early age, a mokoro is one of the best ways to get close to birds and other wildlife that inhabit the swamps, grasslands and water channels of the Okavango. Wildlife you may encounter as you glide on the water includes lechwes, sitatungas, elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Birdwatching is particularly good and you can expect to see a variety of colourful waterbirds.
Wildlife viewing in the delta is often done in motorised boats, which allow guests to cover more ground and to see more of the incredible Okavango landscape, with greater wildlife sighting opportunities. Most of the camps and lodges have their own specialised boats that are used when water levels are high. Late afternoon boat trips are particularly special, as you watch the sun go down over the vast delta waters, often with a traditional ‘sundowner’ drink in hand.
Experience the beauty of the Okavango delta with a thrilling helicopter ride that offers an incredible perspective of the largest inland delta in the world. Fly over rivers and pools, interspersed with riverine forests and swamps, inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Stunning photographic opportunities are offered on the flights as you often pass secluded areas of the delta which cannot be accessed any other way.
The five opulent suites at Sanctuary Baines' Camp all offer en suite facilities, four-poster beds and traditional safari ceiling fans that create a cooling breeze at even the hottest times of the year. At night, soak under the night sky in your indulgent 'star bath' or ask for your bed to be wheeled out onto your private viewing deck for a night under the stars, overlooking the shimmering waters of the Boro river where hippos can often be spotted.
Take an astonishing walk with three orphaned elephants, brought up by their guardians Doug and Sandi Groves. Every morning the elephants go for a walk around their home range, foraging for food and checking that all is well. A few people each day are able to accompany them through the bush and see the wilds of Africa through the eyes of an elephant - a truly uplifting experience that makes a lasting impression on all who share their time with the elephants. This is a leisurely paced walk and includes a picnic lunch. This activity runs on a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 10; children must be aged nine and above. Pre-booking is recommended, and the elephant experience is exclusive to guests at Sanctuary Stanley’s and Baines Camp.
Wildlife drives in the Okavango delta are often described as the best in Botswana, with many of the camps and lodges in secluded locations or private concessions, meaning very few vehicles. You will have the opportunity to take part in traditional early morning and late afternoon drives to look out for wildlife. The afternoon drives sometimes continue after sunset, offering a chance to spot species that are more active at night, including leopards and servals. All drives are led by professionally trained guides who will teach you about the habits of the larger mammals, but equally the smaller birds, insects and flora of the delta. Drives can sometimes be tailored to suit guests’ individual needs, including tracking a particular species or spending longer at a particular sighting.
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