KANANA MOKORO TRAIL
Okavango Delta, Botswana

Introduction

The Kanana Mokoro Trail package is an individually designed mokoro experience, affording visitors a unique opportunity to search for rarely seen creatures such as the sitatunga and Pel's fishing owl. One of the extraordinary attractions of this safari is its exclusivity and flexibility. The trails camp caters for a maximum of four people in two twin bedded tents, and the services on offer at the camp include two professional guides, personal chef, waiter, housekeeper and mokoro guides.

Day One

Once you have arrived at Maun Airport, you will be met by a representative, who will help with arrivals and show you to your twenty minute charter flight into the wilderness. On arrival at Kanana airstrip, you will be met by your guide and taken to Kanana Camp, from where you will board a traditional canoe known as a mokoro and glide peacefully out into one of the most isolated areas of the Okavango Delta. On this secluded island, you will find your rustic bush camp where well trained and accommodating staff wait ready to welcome you with a refreshing cool drink.

Once you have been introduced to the region and had a little time to settle, it will be time to set out and venture across the lily-covered waterways, and start to learn and absorb information about this diverse environment, while drifting along in your mokoro your guides will point out some of the inhabitants of this aquatic world including red lechwe, fish eagles, painted reed frogs, golden orb spiders and truly exquisite malachite kingfishers. Waiting for you back at camp is a steaming hot shower under the night sky. A three course dinner and ice cold drinks culminate around a blazing campfire listening to your hosts tell tall tales of wild African adventures.

Day Two

Shortly after a delicious breakfast your guides will direct your mokoro out to explore this wonderland of islands that provides a seasonal refuge to about forty species of large mammals which including the rarely seen sitatunga. This rarely seen creature is a swamp dwelling antelope which is related to other spiral horned antelope, the bushbuck and nyala, and is found right through Central Africa centering on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south into Zambia and Botswana and east into Tanzania.

Once fully grown an adult sitatunga stands about one and a half meters at the shoulder, and is completely adapted to living in water. Their hooves are long and splayed in to provide the animal with easy movement through the swampy habitat as Sitatunga spend most of their lives in papyrus swamps. They are also very powerful swimmers and taking to open water to evade predators such as leopards or wild dogs is a survival tactic they have become skilled at, they will lie submerged in pools with only their nostrils above the surface when in danger.

The Kanana concession is a perfect habitat for these striking creatures and along with the large number of bird species found in the region, including rarities such as the Pel's fishing owl and slatey egret, they will all be the focus of the activities on the trail. As the temperature climbs, it is time to retreat to your private oasis for a refreshing drink and lunch to refuel followed by an afternoon of reflection from the comfort of your hammock hung from the sturdy trunk of a huge tree. Your adventure continues in the late afternoon as you take a walk on an island, scanning the canopies of the African ebony and the mangosteen for sign of the Pel's fishing owl or gliding through the reeds and miscanthus grass on your mokoro.

Day Three

You will be transferred to your waiting charter aircraft after an early morning activity and breakfast and transfer will by mokoro to Kanana Camp.

Activities & Camp Description

Fishing for bream, pike and silver catfish is on offer from the mokoro as well as walks to explore your surroundings. The camp is equipped with fishing rods and spinning lures.

You will be taken to and from the Trails camp by mokoro. Depending on the water levels, the camp can and will be moved, thus allowing the guides to stay close to the areas inhabited by the elusive sitatunga. Four people accommodated in two twin bedded bow mosquito proof tents is maximum capacity. Each tent has along side a bucket shower and 'long drop' toilet facilities. Lighting is by rechargeable 12 volt lamps, charged by solar powered and refrigeration is by gas-operated freezers. Cooking in the camp is bush style, using fire and coals and the decades of experience from our camp chefs make for the perfect bush cuisine. Communication can be made by radio with Maun and Kanana Camp, which acts as a supply base, though there is a satellite phone in camp for emergencies.