Dug-out canoe or mokoro trips have become the popular way for travellers to experience the tranquillity of the Okavango Delta.
It is not surprising that regardless of budget visitors to Botswana wanting real insight into the lives of the people of the Okavango choose to do these trips.
They are a good way to slip quietly into, and become part of every day life in this watery African wonderland.
The Old Bridge Tours & Safaris runs all its Mokoro trails through the “Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust” who control the use of a large area of the delta and who set the guide and community fees for activities.
This community traditionally use this part of the delta for fishing, reed cutting and the harvesting of water lily bulbs. The mokoro is an integral part of these activities.
Self-catering Mokoro trips
For our self-catered trips you need to take your own food and equipment with you, however for those traveling light you can hire a tent and other necessary equipment from us. This is perhaps the most affordable way to experience the Okavango.
The Old Bridge Tours & Safaris sends all overnight self catered mokoro trips out with: Mokoro seats, firewood, refuse bags, toilet paper and a spade.
You are not obliged to take food for your guide / poler but it would be a nice gesture to share with him, as he will be sharing his wonderful garden with you.We also send a little extra for your guides.
A motorboat transfer during times of high water (or safari 4×4 during times of low water) of between one and two hours each way will start and end your trip leaving by 8 a.m. and getting you back by 5 p.m.
Prices: (Valid until 1st December 2020)
1 day trip costs P 800.00 per person
2 day trip costs P1100.00 per person
3 day trip costs P1400.00 per person
4 day trip costs P1700.00 per person
Plus P 300.00 per person for each additional day.
Fully catered and equipped Mokoro Safari
If you would like the mokoro trip option with more of a safari feel a catered mokoro Safari is a good option.
In addition to the community guide and polers The Old Bridge Tours and Safaris will send you out with, a chef, all your provisions and equipment and staff needed to set up a comfortable camp on a remote Island. This requires the use of several extra luggage mekoro.
A typical itinerary for a 3 day mokoro trip would be as follows.
Day 1 Take a 1 and a half – 2 hour safari 4×4 drive (depending on from “The Old Bridge” in Maun to a community run mokoro station in the eastern delta. We depart around 8am and arrive at the Mokoro station between 9:30 and 10am.
Here we meet your mokoro guides/polers and
load all luggage and equipment into the mekoro.
You then spend 2 to 3 hours on a mokoro gliding anlong the waterways to your campsite.
Once in your riverside campsite lunch is served followed by an hour or two relaxation . Your guide will then take you for a 2 to 3 hour late afternoon game walk.
On arrival back in camp you may request water to be warmed for you to have a shower (bucket shower hoisted into a tree, hanging over a canvass enclosure) and enjoy your campfire dinner.
Spend the evening around the campfire enjoying interaction with your guides and sharing stories.
Day 2 Wake up early, (around 5:30) for coffee/tea cereal and rusks.
Depart on a 4 hour early morning game walk.
Return at around 10am for a hearty brunch.
Relax in camp, or ask your guides to take you for a swim.
Mid afternoon, go for a 3 hour mokoro trip or game walk arriving back in camp at sunset, have a shower and enjoy your campfire dinner.
Day 3 Wake up early for coffee/tea cereal and rusks.
Depart on a 4 hour early morning mokoro and game walk.
Return at around 10am for a hearty brunch.
Relax in camp, or ask your guides to take you for a swim.
Return to mokoro station for motorboat pick up at 3pm
Return back to “The Bridge” at 5pm
Prices: (Valid until 1st December 2020)
Standard dome tent level Mokoro Safaris.
2 day trip costs P 5500.00 per person
3 day trip costs P 8250.00 per person
4 day trip costs P 11000.00 per person
Plus P2750.00 per person per each additional day.
En-suite dome tent level Mokoro Safaris.
2 day trip costs P 7200.00 p.p.
3 day trip costs P 10800.00 p.p.
4 day trip costs P 14400.00 p.p.
Plus P3600.00 per person per each additional day.
Prices include 12% VAT, government levy, community day fees and camping fees..
If extra luggage Mekoro (pl.) are required they cost P 400.00 per Mokoro per day.
Our self catered mokoro trip prices do not include coverage by Okavango Air Rescue. Details for OAR can be found at the bottom of our home page. If you do become a patron please let us know.
