The flight to the Okavango Delta, the last wild area of Africa, commences only in a Cessna Caravan. There are no roads here, only a few trails that can barely be said to go through the broadness of the untamed terrain. The only way to traverse the area of the river was by air, so we took off from Botswana and headed towards a journey that one could not experience anywhere.
The Flight Over the Delta
He indicated that it may be rocky when he turned around to talk to us before takeoff. He maintained a precise tone, saying, “Here are the sick bags in the seat pocket. Please use them and take them when you leave.”
As was promised, that little aeroplane tossed us up and down through the patches of air over the area. Below us, the scorched, rusty land, dotted with the last passing clouds, was stretching into space. On the ground, you could see empty basins, signs of waterholes that have dried up, and plains that now have holes that want to stay dry, and it really looks like a fallout zone. Refraining from any human influence, this very aspect made the delta splendid; it was raw, and nature’s power in its purest form was left unspoiled.
In the end, our plane touched down on the surface of what looked like a runway, but it was actually only a clay road along the river, and antelopes were the only ones enjoying the land.
Meeting Our Guide: Taps
Our guide, Taps, showed us around for the first three days. His enthusiasm was apparent as he always talked about the delta’s wildlife.
“During these few days, you can see Green Backed Herons, Black Billed Egrets, Saddle Billed Storks, Pied Kingfishers, and even crocs and lions. Of course, elephants and hippopotamuses are in abundance. With a bit of luck, we could see the lilac-breasted roller—the ballerina of the Okavango.”
Taps smiled and answered, “We have a crocodile, Big Daddy, that is five meters long. He has not been seen all summer; one possibility is that he moved upstream, but we think he is still around. The point food is enough where the streams are, so he does not need to go too far to get it.”
A Walk Through the Plains
The following day, Taps moved us across the plains, his Winchester rifle hung on his shoulder and his old diary tucked away inside his backpack. It was a reminder of what was to come, if need be, as no guide had ever used their weapon to protect others on a tour.
The landscape seemed like a magical page out of a book spinning away—a mirage of giraffes standing tall against a painted desert, warthogs hurriedly running through the bush, and majestic impalas eating near the sausage peeping from the trees. Nature, though, delivers an informal lesson on the circle of the delta, as the bones of some elephants the sun has turned to white, where the river once flowed.
By the middle of the day, the spirit of adventure subsided, and tranquillity ruled supreme. We took notice of a male elephant happily refreshing himself in the river, and even though the animal was completely under the water, we could still recognize its trunk. Just around the next bend, a rare sight was caught by Taps’ eyes the sighting of a Sitatunga, a water antelope. Otherwise known as the “swamp antelope,” it has always played hide and seek, making counting the population a tricky task, and this experience comes off as a gift.
The Rhythm of Delta Life
The delta has so much expected and unexpected. Back at the lodge, the fruit bats were above us; by the morning sun’s light, we could see their beady eyes beside them, peering through the library’s window. The hippos left large dung piles on the river, which led to a curious question: “Do animals eat dung?”
Tap direct dialogue was motivated by a blend of good patterning and an average level of expertise in the field of animal behaviour. “Ostriches eat elephant dung, and hyenas eat lion dung, but there is nobody that eats the lion shit-lion’s kids do not eat their mother.” The diverse and intriguing delta’s ecosystem is always in full bloom due to its own beat.
A Rare Wilderness
The Okavango Delta is not just a place to visit; it is a voyage into the interior of the wild African bush. From the jarring of every bone in your body by the plane ride to the almost extinct sitatungas in the wild, there are moments in this virgin nature that make you aware of the unbelievable beauty and vulnerability of the area.
After dark, I pondered this wonderful place’s stories, views, and sounds. The Okavango Delta is not just an experience to be treasured in terms of what is seen and heard it also fosters an admiration of the wild, the creatures, and their delicate harmony, which is necessary for their existence. If you want to learn more about Discover Australia’s Hidden Beaches: A Guide to Coastal Bliss, Read on.
Jackson Reed is an avid traveler and adventure seeker, sharing tips and stories from around the globe to inspire your next journey.
