Okavango Spirit operates all year round.

The reedbeds really come alive from August to October, during the annual “Barbel Run” when the rains have stopped and the flood waters have usually arrived. When the dropping water levels force huge shoals of catfish out of the floodplain areas and into the main river, causing a fish and bird feeding frenzy. For bird lovers, this truly is an exceptional time to visit and a phenomenon to encounter.

There are a hive of exciting activities to enjoy from the houseboat. Each day you will have the opportunity to get onto our smaller game viewing boats, taking you to the various activities in the area. These include bird watching, boat safaris and a visit to Tsodilo Hills – an absolute must see!

Tsodilo Hills is a World Heritage Site and is about 50km southwest of Shakawe, in a dry, bush-covered and softly undulating landscape. The site consists of four hills that rise abruptly, to about 400m, from the dry expanse of Bushveld. Having been inhabited for about 30,000 years, they’re one of the world’s oldest historical sites. The Hills are home to more than 4,000 San Bushman paintings – probably the most important collection of rock art in Africa. Perhaps even more remarkable is the resonant atmosphere of spirituality that inhabits Tsodilo Hills. Several walking trails provide helpful routes around the painting sites. Among the interesting paintings are paintings of whales and penguins that suggest contact between the San Bushman and other people.

You’ll end each day with an afternoon sundowner cruise on the river. As the water ebbs and flows, keep an eye out for elephant eating papyrus shoots on the riverbanks surrounding you. Or spend an evening on one of the nearby islands, enjoying your dinner under a blanket of a billion stars.

Scoot across to Namibia for a morning game drive in Bwabwata National Park (trip dependant on Namibia’s Covid testing requirements). Here, you’ll find an abundance of wildlife in the park, like elephant, buffalo and several antelope species including greater kudu, roan and sable antelope. All big cats are present and there have been many sightings of wild dog as well. Some of the species that have been re-introduced here include red lechwe and the semi-aquatic sitatunga. Returning to the houseboat by mid-afternoon.

• Enjoy daily boating safaris (early morning and evening).
• An excursion to Tsodilo Hills, a World Heritage Site, with possibly the richest concentration of San Rock art in Africa.
• Phenomenal Bird-watching opportunities all year round.
• Guided walks on smaller islands.
• Try your hand at a spot of fishing (01 Mar – 31 Dec); fishing is not permitted from January to February due to breeding season).
• Dinner on one of the islands, under a blanket of stars.
• A trip across the border into Namibia to do a morning game-drive in Bwabwata National Park.
• Relaxing in the solitude and soaking up the serenity of this beautiful Okavango River.

Landscape

Okavango Spirit operates in the “Panhandle” area of the Okavango Delta, Northern Botswana. To get on to the houseboat you will either fly directly from Maun (380km away) or take a 5 hour drive around the Okavango, weaving your way through small villages before getting to Shakawe, where Okavango Spirit is moored on the crystal-clear waters of the Okavango River.  This area is recognized as being amongst the quietest and most peaceful in the Delta, due to its remoteness. There are only a handful of permanent camps and boats operating in this wilderness area, which make it ideal for our discerning guests.

Wildlife

Up here, the scenery is truly breathtaking. The iconic waterways are bustling with birdlife and wildlife, and as the water weaves its way around channels dotted with islands, you’ll discover endless riverbanks of papyrus, grasslands, lagoons and backwaters covered with water-lilies and seasoned sandbanks, beautiful trees all bathed in sunlight and the big African sky, a constant back drop. On the riverbanks, keep a look out for grazing hippo or sunbathing crocodile. Animals, like kudu and buffalo make their way to the waters edge for a drink. Ellies often drink there and play, rubbing themselves against a tree or two along the way. This is also a birders paradise. From heron, to kingfishers, bee-eaters to eagles, plovers to the Pel’s fishing-owl – you could spot up to 200 incredible bird species in one day.