The latest news from Botswana is that the Okavango River water levels remain above normal, and much higher in comparison to the past four years. This is due to excellent rainfall over most of the country and in turn indicates that the floods are going to be very good this year.

This comes as a huge relief to the country, its people and wildlife.

Image and information courtesy of Belmond Safaris.

Introducing the Helimokoro option at all Under One Botswana Sky camps.

At an additional charge, you can enjoy a guaranteed helicopter/mokoro excursion from all Under One Botswana Sky Camps (Gunns Camp, Moremi Crossing, Rra Dinare, Mma Dinare and PomPom).

This little adventure combines the thrill of a spectacular helicopter ride above the wilds of the Okavango with the serenity of the Delta’s most iconic activity, a mokoro safari.

Departing at dawn from any Under One Botswana Sky camp, you will enjoy a 15-minute flight, before the helicopter lands on the southern fringes of the wetland.

Out here, there's always water - but first, coffee (or tea)! Tucked under the pilot seat, a secret flask of coffee reveals itself. 

Your Motswana poler glides the craft gently past waterlily pads, upon which African Jacanas lightly tread. The best thing about this sort of boating? There’s absolutely no engine noise. The mokoro guides use a long stick or pole (hence the term poler), called an nkashi to propel the vessel through the water instead.  They expertly (and safely) skirt the distant hippo pods, spot Openbill Storks strutting their stuff and if you're lucky, perhaps even seek out an elephant crunching on the river reeds. Two blissful hours are over in a flash and before you know it, you’re heading back to the helicopter.

Now that the sun is out – as is the wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for buffalo, elephant, and Red lechwe. It’s another fifteen-minute flight back to camp, enjoy every second.

Priced at US $ 435 per person (for 2020).

AirVentures Balloon Safaris and An African Anthology have launched hot air ballooning in the Chobe region in Botswana.

Managed by AirVentures, the operation will be based at Elephant Valley Lodge within the Kasane Forest, but the activity is also available to guests at other camps in the region.         

AirVentures offers balloon safaris over the vast Seloko Plains concession. The safaris last for an hour, can accommodate up to eight guests, and will operate from May 1 to September 15.

The Seloko Plains, situated south of Kasane, are an important wildlife corridor, extending from Zimbabwe to join up with the Chobe National Park and the Kasane Forest Reserve.

On landing, guests are treated to sparkling wine and orange juice. The pilot presents commemorative flight certificates to the guests who are then transferred to the five-star Kazuma Camp for breakfast.

Some excellent news for Safari-goers wishing to combine the delights of Namibia and Botswana:

Maun-based MackAir has been licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana to operate scheduled services three times a week between Maun and Windhoek.

The flights will commence in April 2020 using a Cessna Grand Caravan C208ex, with a capacity of 10 passengers. This new route will enhance connectivity and avoid passengers having to connect via Gaborone or Johannesburg.

The flight will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing Maun at 13h30 and arriving in Windhoek at 15h50. The return flight, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, will depart Windhoek at 10h00 and arrive at Maun at 12h20.

Bookings will open on December 1.

This summer Botswana has been very hot and dry. Unfortunately the rains have been well below average and it seems that Angola has also had disappointing precipitation (the rains in the Angolan Highlands are the major source of the water for the Okavango Delta). As a result, the annual inundation of flood water has yet to show itself in the Delta.
 
This means that many of the Camps and Lodges are looking at restricting water activities to some extent. For example, the Boro River channel has not yet filled and only very short mokoro activities are being offered to cross the channel in certain places (this for Delta and Oddball's Camps for example).

Water is expected is expected soon - and it is safe to say that that the flood is late this year and it could easily be another 6-8 weeks before proper mokoro activities and boating can be enjoyed.
 
Ironically, due to the lack of water, the game is exceptional, as wildlife congregates to areas where there tends to be permanent water.

Therefore the chances of seeing lion, hyena, leopard and cheetah are good. Wild dogs have been seen along with herds of over 1000 buffalo. Grazers are found in excellent numbers at waters edge and eating the grasses in the molapo.
 
Naturally it might be disappointing not to enjoy a mokoro excursion (or have the excursion curtailed), but there is still much to be enjoyed during your Delta visit.