THE
MOKORO
The traditional dug-out canoe, or “Mokoro” (plural, “Mekoro”) was originally introduced into the Okavango Delta by the Bayei tribe who moved into the region from the Zambezi river area after the 1750’s. The presence of the tsetse fly meant that pastoralism was not possible and instead they relied on hunting and fishing for subsistence.
Trees that were favoured by the Bayei people for the construction of Mekoro were, the Kiaat (Pterocarpus Angolensis) or “mukwa” in Setswana, the Jackal Berry tree (Diospyros Mespiliformis) or “Mokutshumo” and the sausage tree (Kigelia Africana) or “Moporota.”
A tree might take well over a century to attain Mokoro size, but the lifespan of the Mokoro would typically only be about 5 - 8 years.
In the interests of conservation and the protection of the trees and ecology of the Delta it is a recent policy of most camps and
lodges in the area to use fibre-glass canoes that are modelled on the traditional wooden Mekoro.
The pole or “ngashi” that is used to push the Mokoro along is commonly made from the Silver Terminalia tree (Terminalia Sericea) or “Mogonono”. The straight growth form of the young branches, coupled to the elasticity of the wood, make it ideally suited to the task.
The Mokoro Trail should not really be considered as a game viewing safari, even though a variety of game is invariably seen, but more of a cultural snapshot of the traditional mode of transport used over the past few hundred years in the Okavango Delta and the opportunity to experience, through your guide poler, traditional knowledge and skills.
NOTE : The MokoroTrails are self catering , camping and cooking equipment , including food, need to be taken, so , not forgetting that each Mokoro carries only two persons with very limited luggage, luggage must be very carefully selected.
It should be noted that the MokoroTrails are undertaken in remote areas, welcome to the real wilderness, the real bush ……… there are no ablution facilities here: no showers – no toilets!
-
(SELF CATERING)
Ø Our Mokoro Trails begin and end at Sedia Riverside Hotel in Maun.
Ø A licensed guide poler accompanies all Mokoro Trails.
Ø Participants should use footwear that will withstand some exposure to shallow water.
Ø A good wide hat is useful for protection from sun and a good sun block.
Ø Participants are advised to bring warm clothing from May to August.
Ø During the summer months September to April, rain may be encountered.
Ø Participants to provide their own camping equipment and food/beverages.
Tents and Sleeping Bags can be hired from Afro Trek Safaris
THE OKAVANGO MOKORO TRAIL
We depart from Sedia Riverside Hotel at 0700 hrs or later to participants
requirements, heading by safari vehicle into the south east region of the Okavango Delta.
There is a choice of Mokoro station we can use, either Boro or Ditshipi. The Boro
Mokoro Station is closer to Maun and for most of the year has more water ( the Boro Channel and
adjacent floodplains) than Ditshipi.
At Ditshipi there is the Santantadibe Channel and some smallish lagoons. Driving
time to Ditshipi is just under two hours as opposed to just under an hour to Boro.
Scenically, there is not much to choose between them, both offer a little game viewing en route.
Afro Trek Safaris prefer to go to Boro where we experience more aquatic ambience.
The drive to the Mokoro mooring station on the Boro River will take around one hour. The transfer is in customised safari vehicles with rear mounted game viewing seats beneath a canvas canopy.
On arrival at the Mokoro station you will meet your poler guide / polers for the day.
The polers will steer us through this serene area of narrow reed lined channels which open out onto beautiful lagoons .
After arriving at one of the many secluded islands which make up this fragile yet dynamic, unique eco-system, we have lunch , followed by a guided bush walk.
The most rewarding and enjoyable way to explore and experience the beauty and serenity of this intricate system of lily covered channels and lagoons , which make up the Okavango Delta, is undoubtedly by Mokoro, which glide quietly and effortlessly through the whispering papyrus of the shallow water channels, the quietness and gentle pace of the Mokoro offers a truly magical way of experiencing the beauty and tranquillity of the Okavango Delta.
The Mokoro Trails offers a snapshot view of the traditional mode of transport utilized for hundreds of years by the Bayei tribes people living in the area.
Although the Mokoro trails is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of game may be spotted in this pristine wilderness area including elephant, giraffe and zebra.
After the bush walk which could be for half an hour or longer if required, return by Mokoro through the channels back to the Mokoro mooring station for the transfer back to the Sedia Riverside Hotel.
The packed lunch with a soft drink is provided and is normally taken on arrival at the chosen island prior to the guided bush walk.
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
ECO TREK with AFRO TREK!
2 DAYS, 1 NIGHT (Self Catering)
This safari commences and ends at the Afro Trek Safaris office located at the Sedia Riverside Hotel complex.
DAY ONE
Departure from Sedia Riverside Hotel is approx. 0700hrs after breakfast , the exact departure time is agreed with the guests the night before the activity.
There is a choice of Mokoro station we can use, either Boro or Ditshipi. The Boro Mokoro station is closer to Maun and for most of the year has more water ( the Boro Channel and adjacent floodplains ) than Ditshipi. At Ditshipi there is the Santantadibe Channel and some smallish lagoons.
Driving time to Ditshipi is just under two hours as opposed to just under an hour to the Boro River. Scenically, there is not much to choose between them, both offer a little game viewing en route.
Afro Trek Safaris prefer to go to Boro where we experience more aquatic ambience.
The drive to the Mokoro mooring station on the Boro River, situated in the south east of the Okavango Delta in the OKMCT concession area, will take around an hour. The transfer is in customised safari vehicles with rear mounted game viewing seats
beneath a canvas canopy.
On arrival at the Mokoro mooring station you will meet your poler guides / polers for the day. The polers will steer you through this serene area of narrow reed lined channels in traditional dug - out Mokoro, floating through the waterways which open out onto beautiful lagoons.
After arriving at one of the many secluded islands, which make up this fragile yet dynamic, unique eco-system we make camp and have lunch, followed by a guided bush walk.
The most rewarding and enjoyable way to see and experience the beauty and serenity of the intricate system of lily covered channels and lagoons, which make up the Okavango Delta, is undoubtedly by Mokoro, which glide quietly and effortlessly through the whispering papyrus of the shallow water channels.
The Mokoro Trails offers a snapshot view of the traditional mode of transport utilized for hundreds of years by the Bayei tribes people living in the area. Although the Mokoro trails is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of game may be spotted in this pristine wilderness area including elephant , giraffe and zebra. Lions are also present in this area and have sometimes been spotted, from a distance on the bush walks.
After the bush walk, we can relax and unwind in the camp, refresh and take dinner under the stars before retiring to the sounds of the wild.
Day 2
After breakfast , we take to the Mokoro again enjoying the channels, these intricate veins of waterways which interconnect the lagoons, with a further bush walk if required experiencing the sights and sounds of this wild magnificent domain.
After lunch, we break camp and head back in the Mokoro through the channels to the Mokoro mooring station for our transfer back to Maun and the Sedia Riverside Hotel
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
ECO TREK with AFRO TREK!
OKAVANGO MOKORO TRAILS
Day 1
Departure from Sedia Riverside Hotel is approx. 0700hrs after breakfast, the exact departure time is agreed with the guests the night before the activity.There is a choice of Mokoro station we can use, either Boro or Ditshipi. The Boro Mokoro
station is closer to Maun and for most of the year has more water ( the Boro Channel and adjacent floodplains ) than Ditshipi. At Ditshipi there is the Santantadibe Channel and some smallish lagoons.
Driving time to Ditshipi is just under two hours as opposed to just under an hour to Boro.Scenically, there is not much to choose between them, both offer a little game viewing en route.
Afro Trek Safaris prefer to go to Boro where we experience more aquatic ambience.
The drive to the Mokoro mooring station on the Boro Channel, situated in the south east of the Okavango Delta in the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT ) concession area,will take around an hour. The transfer is in customised safari vehicles ( Toyota Land cruisers ) with rear mounted game viewing seats beneath a canvas canopy. The vehicles are fitted with individual style seats with seat belts installed, each vehicle can take a maximum of ten passengers with luggage
placed in the trailer.
On arrival at the Mokoro mooring station you will meet your Mokoro poler guides and polers who will assist with the loading of luggage into the Mekoros and with the seating arrangements. Each Mokoro takes two persons.
The guide polers and polers will be available at all times to help and assist participants whenever required and also to ensure the safety of the participants throughout the Mokoro trail.
The Mokoro poler guides are licensed and it is the poler guides who lead the Mokoro trails , with a guide poler leading and a guide poler at the back of each group of Mokoro, steering through this serene area of narrow reed lined channels in traditional dug-out Mekoros, floating through the myriad of waterways which open out unexpectedly onto beautiful lagoons.
The most rewarding way to explore and experience the beauty and serenity of these lily-filled waterways is undoubtedly by dug-out canoe or Mokoro.
The Mokoro Trails offers a snapshot view of the traditional mode of transport utilized for hundreds of years by the Bayei tribes people living in the area. Although the Mokoro trails is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of game may be spotted in this pristine wilderness area including elephant, giraffe and zebra. Lions are also present in this area and have sometimes been spotted, from a distance on the bush walks.
After arriving at one of the many secluded islands, which make up this fragile yet dynamic, unique eco-system, camp is erected followed by lunch after which a guided bush walk will commence around 1500hrs or a little later dependant on the afternoon temperature, returning to camp before sunset.
Prior to the guided bush walk, the guides will give a comprehensive safety briefing about the environment of the Okavango Delta. The guided bush walk will also be available on the second day. The polers remaining in the camp will help in collecting firewood and water whilst the guides take the game walks.
After the bush walk, time to prepare and take dinner and maybe reflect on the day, the guides and polers will then be ready to entertain with cultural stories and traditional dancing.
Day 2
An early morning game walk will be available for interested persons, returning to the camp when ready to prepare and enjoy breakfast.
After breakfast or brunch, the Mekoros can be taken again to enjoy the channels , these intricate veins of waterways which interconnect the lagoons, or take a guided bush walk before having lunch or snacks.
In the afternoon, the guides will take their guests in the mekoros to a safe location where swimming is possible in the waters of the Okavango Delta, followed by a chance to learn how to pole a Mokoro using the gnashi.
Time can be taken to relax and drink in the landscape.
Return to camp late afternoon to refresh and prepare dinner, to be taken under the stars before retiring to the sounds of the wild.
Day 3
Start the day with another bush walk, experiencing the sights and sounds of this wild magnificent oasis.After the bush walk, a swim maybe and time to relax and unwind in the camp for a while enjoying a late breakfast or brunch.
When ready, the polers will help in breaking the camp, packing tents and loading luggage into the Makoro for the return journey through the channels back to the mekoro mooring station where Afro Trek Safari guides will be waiting with the safari vehicles and cold beverages for the transfer back to Sedia Riverside Hotel.
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
ECO TREK with AFRO TREK!
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