Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE OKAVANGO POLERS TRUST
Established in 1998 by the people of Seronga, the
Okavango Polers Trust
( 687 6861;
www.okavangodelta.co.bw
)
provides cheaper and more accessible
mokoro
trips and accommodation for visitors.
Since the collective is run entirely by the village, all profits are shared by the workers, invested into the trust and
used to provide the community with better facilities. The trust directly employs nearly 100 people, including pol-
ers, dancers, cooks, managers and drivers. As no travel agency or safari operator is involved, the cooperative can
afford to charge reasonable prices for
mokoro
trips. Although it's not uncommon to pay upwards of US$200 per
day for a
mokoro
trip out of Maun, the trust charges around P750 per day for
two
people. Keep in mind, however,
that you must self-cater (ie bring your own food, water and, if necessary, camping and cooking equipment).
There's no longer a daily bus from Mohembo to Seronga, but it's almost always possible to hitch from the free
Okavango River ferry in Mohembo. Plan on paying about P20 for a lift. When they're operating, water taxis run
along the Okavango between Sepupa Swamp Stop and Seronga (P50, two hours); transfers from the Seronga dock
to Mbiroba Camp, 3km away, cost P200. Otherwise, Sepupa Swamp Stop can arrange boat transfers to Seronga
starting from P1700 per boat.
Sleeping
Panhandle camps are mostly in the midrange, and have until recently catered mainly for
the sport-fishing crowd. However, this is changing along with the recent increase in trav-
ellers looking for affordable delta trips. Camping is also available at most lodges.
Sepupa Swamp Stop $$
Offline map
( 7567 0252;
www.swampstop.com
; Sepupa; campsite per person from P100, tents/
chalets from P220/ 750; )
This laid-back riverside campsite is secluded, handy to Se-
pupa village, very affordable and accessible (3km) from the Maun-Shakawe road. The
lodge can arrange
mokoro
trips through the Okavango Polers Trust and transfers to Se-
pupa, as well as boat trips that start at P285/1725 per hour/day. Most
mokoro
trips from
here require a boat transfer as the waters here are mostly too deep for poling.
CAMPGROUND
Mbiroba Camp $
Offline map
( 687 6861;
www.okavangodelta.co.bw
; campsite per person P100, rondavels P175,
chalets from P325)
This camp is run by the Okavango Polers Trust and is the usual
launching point for
mokoro
trips into the delta. Sadly, like so many community projects,
CAMPGROUND
