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Riding in a mokoro is undoubtedly a lifetime experience, and one totally unique to this region. The mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe, used by local people to navigate the shallow waters of the delta. We glide smoothly through the waterlilies and tall papyrus, almost at water level. This is an ideal position for photographing tiny birds, flowers, grasses, and even the minute painted reed frog clinging to a reed!
The topography of the delta being very flat means that there is no high ground from which to get an overall picture of the whole area. That is why I love to get up into the air! Rising up in a balloon or a helicopter provides yet another perspective on this unbelievably beautiful region. Not only does one get an aerial view of the iconic emerald and blue flood plains, but it is also possible to alight in places inaccessible by any other means. Vast herds of red lechwe can be seen grazing on hidden islands, and huge old bull elephants roaming the floodplains. We may glimpse the shy and elusive sitatunga, a most secretive aquatic antelope, that frequents the most inaccessible reedbeds and hides out under the water deep in the delta.
Twilight excursions can be thrilling, as when the sun goes down on the Okavango, a whole new cast of characters emerges. In the shadows we might witness the stealthy movement of an aardvark, a porcupine,
Left: Masters of the floodplains, the lions (Panthera leo) of the Okavango are comfortable to operate both in the water and on the land.
Below left: At just over an inch long, the Angolan Reed Frog (Hyperolius parallelus) is one of the most vibrant of the smaller species found in the Okavango.
Below right: Close-up of a Day Waterlily (Nymphaea nouchali) one of two main lily species inhabiting the Delta.
OKAVANGO
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