General Information:

Renowned for its lush waterways and abundant wildlife, the Okavango is home to a number of aquatic and land species. Located in northern Botswana, the Okavango River is a unique natural phenomenon - flowing more than 1 000 km (620 miles) from its source in Angola, this river disappears beneath the sands of Botswana, creating a lush inland delta in the midst of this otherwise arid country. The Okavango Delta is in a constant state of flux, expanding and contracting according to the rainy season. While some parts of the Delta remain permanently flooded, others only experience high water levels from May to September, when rainwaters from Angola reach the outer stretches of the Okavango. Covering approximately one third of the Delta, permanent swamp areas are lush and green, with groves of wild date palm, papyrus and water lilies growing around deep lagoons lined with riverine forest. Seasonal swamps, on the other hand, contain a network of small channels cutting their way through papyrus and reed beds to create islands of all shapes and sizes.

Accommodation:

The greens of the river bank peer into spacious guest cottages through large, airy screens. Earthy ochre tones bring the forest floor indoors, while tactile textures, from leather and silk to rough hewn wood, celebrate the natural beauty of the setting. Gaze out onto the banks of the Santanadibe River from under the canopy of your king size bed or spend a restful hour watching the quiet play of light on water from your private raised deck. At one with the forest, enjoy the warm luxury of the sun skipping across your skin in the large outdoor shower.

Dining:

Lazy hammocks slung in the dappled shade beckon and the wooden deck by the sunny poolside offers refreshment. Layered guest areas with comfortable couches invite you to while the afternoon away among cosy cushions. Open sides in sitting and dining areas draw your eyes outward to dazzling plains and reeded river banks. Relax over scrumptious meals in the dining room, while animals wander only metres away or enjoy the cosy shelter of the fire-lit boma as thousands of stars light up the African sky.         

Activities:

At Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, it is our passion to share our knowledge and understanding of the bush and its inhabitants with our guests. Our highly trained guides and trackers will do their utmost to delight guests with a choice of the following activities: 

Twice daily game drives - guests can explore the rich wildlife surrounding Sandibe on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives in an open air safari vehicle, accompanied by an armed guide and tracker. The landscape traversed on game drives includes floodplains, as well as seasonal grassland, woodland, shrubland and savanna. Game drives track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other animals, including the semi-aquatic lechwe and sitatunga antelope. 

Interpretive bush walks - take a leisurely walk in the surroundings of the Camp to take in the sights, smells and sounds of the Okavango Delta, accompanied by an armed guide. Learn about how elephant are vital to the survival of the fan palm, try to spot the elusive Pel's fishing owl and keep a sharp eye out for the shy bushbuck. 

Mokoro - explore the waterways of the Okavango in the company of our experienced guides. Learn the fascinating details of the Delta's network of channels, fringed by dense reeds and papyrus. A good variety of fish can be found in the clear waters and fishing trips can be arranged on request during fishing season (1 March to 31 December). Spot the nests of weavers and warblers in the papyrus beds and watch out for malachite kingfishers among the taller stems. Beautifully coloured frog species, such as the painted reed frog, abound. Waterlilies brighten up the surface of lagoons, where sleepy hippo splash beneath the surface.