Wilderness Trails Course

Arrive in Maun meeting point Duck Cafe opposite Maun Airport and transfer by road to a tented training camp in the private Kwapa concession (NG30) within the southern Okavango Delta. On arrival, check in, meet your trails instructor and group, and receive a safety and course orientation. The remainder of the day is for settling in and preparing for the walking-focused program ahead. (LD)

Begin the trails program with core foot‑safari skills: walking formation and spacing, wind awareness, use of cover, situational awareness, and hand signals. Your instructor introduces track‑and‑sign basics and how to interpret bird and mammal alarms to anticipate wildlife movement. Afternoon walk continues skill‑building at an unhurried pace. Evenings typically include a relaxed debrief around the fire.(BLD)

Deepen your track‑and‑sign practice (ageing tracks, substrate reading, gait patterns) and learn low‑impact wilderness routines. In the afternoon, move out to a simple wilderness fly‑camp within the concession to maximise time on foot and minimise vehicle use. Depending on seasonal water levels, light logistics may be supported by mokoro (dug‑out canoes) or a supply vehicle, while participants carry personal day gear. (BLD)

Explore riparian and floodplain habitats on a morning trail, focusing on route choice, safe proximity and view angles, and retreat/approach drills around big‑game country in accordance with your instructor’s guidance. The afternoon walk reinforces hazard awareness, reading micro‑habitats, and maintaining respectful distances. Content remains flexible and wildlife‑led. (BLD)

Undertake a longer interpretive walk that links island, woodland, and open‑plain zones. Practical modules typically include basic bushcraft, minimal‑impact travel, and orientation/navigation fundamentals. When channels allow, a short mokoro segment may complement the walk; otherwise, logistics are handled by vehicle support as needed. (BLD)

Final morning on foot consolidates key competencies: track interpretation, terrain‑aware routing, and calm, ethical wildlife encounters. Break fly‑camp and return to the main tented camp (by foot, mokoro, or vehicle support, subject to conditions). Afternoon for personal admin, packing, and a closing feedback session with your instructor. (BLD)

After breakfast, transfer by road from the Kwapa concession back to Maun Duck Cafe for onward travel arrangements. Timings are planned to suit typical domestic or regional connections; exact schedules vary by season and operational factors. (B)