Okavango Delta, Botswana (March 6-8, 2008)

The Okavango Delta is a 16,000 square km wetland area in northwestern Botswana. It's the terminus of the Okavango River, which originates in Angola and dries up in the Kalahari before it can reach the sea. Because of the vast amount of water in an otherwise dry land, the delta attracts a wide variety of animals as well as tourists, who come to explore its many lagoons, channels and islands.

The traditional way to travel through the delta is on a mokoro, or dugout canoe, that is poled through the water like a gondola. We took mokoros to an island in the middle of the delta, where we camped for one night in the bush. Gliding through the tall reeds and water lilies was beautiful and peaceful, but also very hot and buggy.

While in the delta, we took long game walks in the late afternoon and early morning, hoping to see some wildlife. We did see plenty of zebras and antelopes, and lots of elephant dung...but alas, no elephants. We also had a close encounter with a baby black mamba - Africa's largest venemous snake! Last but not least, we passed a group of ostriches running alongside the road on our drive out of the delta.

A poler with his mokoro
Water lilies and tall reeds in the Okavango Delta
A herd of zebra in the tall delta grass A water hole at dusk
Palm trees and blue sky - a reminder of home!