Okavango Mokoro Day Trip from Maun

About the Adventure

The mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe now usually made from fibreglass, is the signature way to experience the Okavango Delta. After an early pickup in Maun you transfer by road and boat to a community mokoro station, where a local poler stands at the stern and guides you silently through papyrus-lined channels and open lagoons using a long wooden pole. At water level you notice everything: painted reed frogs clinging to reeds, waterlilies opening in the sun, kingfishers and jacanas, and the occasional hippo or elephant at a respectful distance. Midway through the day you step onto an island for a guided walk with your poler, learning to read tracks and the uses of plants, before a picnic lunch in the shade. It's peaceful, deeply local and supports the communities who live on the edge of the Delta.

Good to Know

• Water levels peak from roughly June to August; in low-water months routes may be shorter.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a dry bag for your camera.
• Sit still in the mokoro - it's stable but low to the water.
• Tipping your poler is customary and greatly appreciated.

Good to Pair With

• Okavango Delta Helicopter Scenic Flight
• Moremi Game Reserve Full-Day Game Drive