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The BaYei people
came to the Okavango Delta hundreds of years ago, bringing with them,
their traditional mode of transport, the mokoro, a dug-out canoe made
from a large straight tree such as a sausage tree or an ebony tree. The
mokoro is ideally suited as transport in the delta as in can move quietly
through shallow water, being pushed by the boatman using a long pole,
moving along the narrow channels or cutting through the long grasses or
papyrus.
Mekoros (plural for mokoro) started to be used by tourists in the early
1980’s and has since than become an almost mandatory activity if
one is visiting the Okavango - the two almost becoming synonymous.
Audi Camp has collaborated with a number of communities in and around
the delta to provide mekoro tours into different parts of the Okavango.
We offer the following drive-in tour:
From Maun – South-eastern Okavango Delta: (From 1 – 3 days)
Departure for the delta is from Audi Camp, @ approx. 7 : 30 a.m. You climb
on a 4 x 4 vehicle and bash around on dirt tracks for approx. one and
half hours (the actual time depends on the season and conditions of the
road) and you'll be dropped at the mekoro station in the southern part
of the delta. A mokoro poler will be introduced to you and will be your
boatman and guide throughout the trip. Depending on the length of the
trip, you can expect to spend a few hours poling on the mokoro, having
lunch along the way, and doing game walks into the bush.
If you are over-nighting, the poler will find a nice campsite and help
you collect some firewood for cooking. Hey, and remember, this is the
bush and there are no facilities – back to basics, no showers, no
toilets. While you are on the trip, remember to listen to your guide –
he has grown up and lived in this area most of his life. He will not only
show you many fascinating things, he will also keep you out of trouble
and safe while you’re in the bush. At the end of your tour, an Audi
Camp vehicle will pick you up at a prearranged time and bring you back
to the camp.
The trips are self-catering and you should bring your own equipment (tents,
pots, pans, sleeping bags, etc.). You can rent equipment from Audi Camp.
We also do a 2 or 3 day catered mokoro trip. On this we supply all the
equipment and food and send along a cook/helper to tend to your every
need!
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