The best way to experience the Okavango Delta, Botswana’s spectacular wetland wilderness, is by boat. Okavango River Safaris traverses the length of the Okavango Delta in comfortable custom-designed game viewing boats. Our privately guided boat safaris in the Okavango Delta are a nostalgic but classic way of exploring Africa’s wilderness where our team set up comfortable luxury tented camps on private secluded and remote islands.
Our all-inclusive classic tented safaris are tailor made for private groups or set date departure safaris suitable for single travellers and couples. Activities include: an Okavango Delta experience, game viewing, bird watching, photography, boating, game walks, dugout canoeing, scenic helicopter excursions and fine dining.
- Fully inclusive Okavango Delta tailor made safari for private groups at any available dates
- Set Date Departure safaris for those who would like to join a group
- Land based mobile tented safari using open game drive vehicles during the summer months
The best time of the year for boat safaris in the Okavango Delta is in the winter months between May and October.
Our Safaris
The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland water systems (16 000 square kilometres). From Maun we explore the diversity of the Okavango Delta all the way through to Moremi Game Reserve, western Chiefs Island and beyond (Map).
With many years of experience in exploring the Okavango Delta’s maze of channels, we are able to guide you through one of the last remaining wilderness areas in comfort and style.
For options and rates on our boat safaris in the Okavango Delta, please contact us
On our boat safaris in the Okavango Delta you will be guaranteed of luxury in the bush. Our camps have a full complement of staff including a chef, waiters, tent services and private guides. Meals are prepared according to the highest standards and your dietary requirements. You will always have a selection of soft drinks, fine wines, spirits, and mineral water at hand, and our fridges on board guarantee cold drinks and ice. Our river guides have over 25 years of guiding experience in the Okavango Delta and its waterways with extensive knowledge of this unique environment.
Our boat safari season runs from May thought to October when the flood waters are high in the Okavango Delta. The rainy season is in our summer months and the water takes some months to reach the Okavango Delta from the highlands of Angola. The best time for game viewing in the Okavango is also from May to October, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation in the surrounding area has dried out. The best time for birding is from August when the migrant bird populations are returning.
During our boat safaris in the Okavango Delta, most of the day is spent exploring and drifting while game watching and birding or just relaxing onboard taking in the magnificent palm-framed views of the Okavango. Each days experience offers very different scenery and natural diversity.
As the sun makes its way to the western horizon, you will arrive at your overnight camp. Our exclusive luxury tented camps are set up on un-fenced remote islands in the Okavango Delta shared only with wildlife that roams freely. We operated in secluded parts of the Okavango where you will very rarely encounter any other tourists.
No African experience is complete without a refreshing sun downer cruise followed by a fine dining experience in our dining tent and evenings are spent around the campfire gazing at stars reliving the day’s experiences in the Okavango Delta.
Travelling on these remote waterways offers unique and special encounters with a variety of wild animals. Your safety is paramount to us, therefore we take all possible precautions to avoid dangerous situations. A certain amount of physical agility is required as you will need to board and disembark boats in natural wetland areas, we will however assist if necessary. Our boats are fitted with sun protection as well as environmentally friendly and quiet running modern outboard motors.
For options and rates on our boat safaris in the Okavango Delta, please contact us
Set Departures
Scheduled departure safaris suitable for single travellers or couples that would like to join a group.
We have a maximum of 12 people on safari. Our set date departure safaris include a night before and after in a lodge in Maun.
2024 Scheduled Departures
16 to 22 June 2024 – (5 days 4 nights on safari on the Okavango Delta) Fully Booked
14 to 20 July 2024 – (5 days 4 nights on safari on the Okavango Delta) Fully Booked
11 to 17 August 2024 – (5 days 4 nights on safari on the Okavango Delta) Fully Booked
15 to 21 June 2025 – (5 days 4 nights on safari on the Okavango Delta) Book Now
20 -26 July 2025 – (5 days 4 nights on safari on the Okavango Delta) Book Now
17 to 23 August 2025 – (5 days 4 nights on safari on the Okavango Delta) Book Now
For a private tailor made group safari, at dates of your choice, please contact us for available dates.
For options and rates on our boat safaris in the Okavango Delta, please contact us
Guest Comments
Go Magazine Article – May 2015
Honorable Alexander P. Bicket – Pittsburgh USA
We all arrived back safely in the US after an absolutely wonderful safari with you and your team last week. I just wanted to thank you for making our 5 days in Botswana so special and memorable. Susan, Ian, August, Justine and I cannot thank you enough for your hard work, hospitality and graciousness that went into making this safari the awesome time that it was. Please pass on our sincere thanks to BK, NT, Jackie, Wilfred and the rest of your team that made us feel so comfortable and at home. They all worked so hard with you to give us an amazing experience.
Jane, Terry, Charles & Teddy Endsor – London UK
I am writing to say a huge, thank you, for our wonderful time with you and your team in Okavango Delta. It exceeded all expectations and on every level, it was very special. We really enjoyed our time with you. The walks, game drives, animals, birds, food etc. etc. Thank you very very much. We very much hope that we will meet up again.
Teddy wrote. I can’t thank you enough for the most memorable days in Botswana. I am still digesting all the wonderful memories and how lucky we were to be in your very knowledgeable and safe hands. It was so special to get to know you and the team a bit as well, it made the whole experience a once in a lifetime. Everything and everyone felt very connected.
Ravindra and Kavita – India
It has been a month since we returned from the lovely trip to Botswana. Not a day has passed by when we did not relive the memories of the Bush. The idea of going to Botswana was a novel one and there were a lot of question marks along the way. We write this to thank you for your unstinting support all through the journey. We had the most fabulous of times, with an amazing scenery, wonderful bird and animal sightings and of course, the awesome bush camping experience. The love and care of the crew Jackie, David and Gabriel was humbling and the food was just delicious. I am finding it hard to describe every experience in nothing but the superlatives, as not even the superlatives come close to what we felt. It is a deeply nurturing experience that now lives on in our hearts. The wonderful people who made it possible deserve all the thanks we can offer.
We had a special meal preference and not once did we feel an inconvenience because of it. It speaks volumes of the capability of your team. The guide was awesome. I guess, a book can be written on just the guide. Ace was the backbone of the entire experience, he kept it alive with snippets of knowledge thrown in between the sightings helping us, the first timers, make a sense of the wild. His uncanny vision got us digging deeper into our binoculars to locate the birds flying far into the horizon or locate the cats sleeping next to us. The cherry on the cake was the amazing experience we had with Lions in the camp site. It remains an unforgettable experience. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, wishing you and your team the very best for years ahead.
Des Mahoney – South Africa
Dear Jacques and Team. My family is struggling to adjust to life after the delta. We all were looking forward to a holiday in the swamps but it exceeded expectations. There are many lodges and places to visit in the delta, but you and your team made it seem like we were the only ones ever to visit. It was such a treat and a privilege. Ace, Jackie, Mosh, David and Gabriel were not only brilliant at all they did, but made nothing look like any trouble. The game experience was unforgettable, the sundowners the best, the food, the camp (even the ablutions) were all spot on.
Thank you….we’ll be back and will recommend ORS to others.
Elke & Paul Hockings – Sweden
We have now arrived back home in Sweden after a fantastic trip to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. We brought back home many wonderful memories from this beautiful part of the world. Among all the impressions and marvels, the boat trip in the Okavango delta stood out by long shot! We would very much like to thank you for organizing this trip for us with such dedication, patience, knowledge and efforts! It is difficult to know where to start with the praise. All the logistics and operations went perfectly smoothly. The food was by far better than what we could have expected in these camping-in-the-wild conditions (just think of all these great fresh salads and freshly baked breads, muffins, desserts). The team caring for us was very friend and supportive. The jewel in the crown was, however, our guide Ace. What a great guide he was! He did not only share freely with us his infinite knowledge on birds, mammals and plants but he managed to infect us with his great love for the nature in the delta. All things large and small mattered and made us marvel. Your organisation, Ace and the team had set a high standard that was impossible to follow up. Surely, the car safari, Kasane and Vic Falls were great, too. But we all realised that nothing could match those four days in the delta! Allow me to say it one more time: thank you so much, guys, for this great experience! Warm wishes,
Larry and Marcia Ward – Australia
Here, here, echoing Elke and Paul’s comments, it was amazing and great thanks to Ace, Mosh, Jackie and David, an unforgettable experience!
Caroline and Mark – Northumberland UK
Back now and sorting ourselves out. That was just the most amazing and extraordinary holiday that you put together for us. Thank you so much for everything you did and we all loved every moment. Jacques and David were the most brilliant, knowledgeable and fun guides that we have ever had. The two parts of the holiday were so different and melded together so well. It was amazing how close we got to wildlife in the boat and absolutely amazing the food that was produced in both camps. A trip of a lifetime without doubt. The new experiences we had were wonderful. Camping out under the stars was brilliant. On our last night with Jacques, a leopard wandered through the camp and then lay down under a bush, quite happy with all of us, with head torches, watching him. We had a mock charge from an elephant and a very grumpy hippo who jumped into the river to see us off!
Wendy Adams – South Africa
Trying to adjust to reality back home – it isn’t easy! So many incredible visuals going through my mind. Just wanted to say a big thank you to you, and to Kathy in the background, for pulling it out the bag. It was an amazing trip and an amazing opportunity to see the Delta in that way. Except the floods have failed and our river safari had to be replaced by a vehicle and walking safari. What a hardship! We were extraordinarily privileged to be granted permits to drive in with our guide, Jacques Conradie, about 120kms from Maun into the heart of what would have been the Delta in a normal year. Never saw another person or vehicle. Even the roads disappeared after a while. Incredible wildlife all coming to the permanent pools in the river. A unique perspective of the Delta in a dry year. And the “flood” or the trickle of the flood, crept it’s way past our camp during the week.
Marie and Anton Reynolds – Rustenburg , South Africa
If we would express in words how amazing our experience was, it would take all the giga bites in cyberspace. This was truly the most incredible week of our lives. We would like to congratulate you on putting together the ideal package for bird lovers, nature lovers, animal lovers, water babies and adventure seekers.
The staff were amazing, all of them all the time. They were relaxed, displayed a wonderful sense of humor and absolutely professional in their conduct all the time. The way both Ace and Lister handled the boats with such care, respected the animals, conveyed their knowledge about trees, birds, animal’s reptiles… . . . and the list is never ending. The walks we had will always be part of our fondest memories. Jacky, Boyzi, Jani could do enough for us. The care they took with the meals, table decorations, serviettes, and by golly the FOOD! one cannot wish for better. The menu was interesting varied and extremely scrumptious, eish! Who will ever forget the succulent steak of the last night Amazing! In short (to use Boyzi’s words) the experience was SOOPA DOOOPA!
We will definitely be back, God willing next year the same time. Thank you yet again, we wish you every success with your venture! Till we meet again. God bless.
Sheila Head – South Africa
The river safari was a really fantastic experience. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. Ace is amazing and is so knowledgeable – a really lovely guy who was so patient and kind, especially with dear old Arthur. The whole team was wonderful and was all so helpful and friendly. How they managed to produce muffins, rolls and bread in that bush kitchen on an open fire is beyond me! All the food was delicious and we loved the special touches of the way the cloth serviettes were folded etc. All in all it was a really wonderful trip and I would have no hesitation in recommending your river safaris. It was the best wildlife experience I have ever had. Many, many thanks to you and the whole team.
Francois and Aletta Feenstra – Western Cape, South Africa
Dear Okavango Safari’s team: Thanks to Jacques, Ace and team for an outstanding adventure. Well planned, relaxed and professional outfit that you people run. Highlights were boat trips and exposure to nature and animals/birds; accommodation/facilities (outstanding small touches of greatness) in pristine nature; excellent food (manner of presentation) and, for us, the easy-relaxed-just enjoy yourself environment you present. Your outfit comes highly recommended, to all nature lovers, but in particular, bird lovers. Thanks, Johan Rothman’s group of 10 (Francois and Aletta Theron, Wellington, South Africa)
Freek & Kobie Lindeque
Very, , very enjoyable safari. Can recommend it to anybody loving nature. The camping facilities were very good and the food delicious.
Carole McMullen
The Delta has been on my ‘bucket list’ for years and I was not disappointed, it had to be one of the best holiday experiences I have ever had. Jacques, Costa and the team behind the scenes could not be faulted. The Delta has to be a very special place and no wonder it has been awarded a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Jacques and his team managed to create a unique experience that only comes with the obvious passion that they have for their environment and the wish to share their knowledge of both the flora, and fauna of the Delta. The camps were very comfortable, the meals that were produce from the bush kitchen were delicious and varied and the evenings around the camp fire were always entertaining with never a dull moment. Hopefully I will get the chance to go again.