The opportunity to see the Okavango Delta in Botswana during wet season is not one to miss. Driving along the Okavango River from the Namibia-Botswana border, we stopped on the eastern side of the delta’s panhandle and camped out on one of the delta’s islands. Greeting us upon arrival was a grazing hippo trying to blend in with a local’s herd of cows.

In order to get to our campsite for the night we had to take a trip in the makoros, the traditional canoes that are controlled by a poler standing at the back of the boat and pushing it along using a long pole. It was terrifying to be floating on a river full of hippos and crocodiles, in a boat that felt like it could tip over at any moment. 

There was plenty of birdlife to see along the way including many African Jacanas (below), African Fish Eagles, Kingfishers and Open-billed storks.

After setting up camp on an island in the delta we went for another makoro canoe cruise in search of wildlife where we spotted some happy hippos.

As we made our way back to camp before the storm we sat for a while to watch the sunset over the delta.