Natural Habitat Adventures Debuts First-Ever Paddling Adventure Across the Okavango Delta

Boulder, CO - Natural Habitat Adventures, the world’s premier nature travel company, is proud to announce an exclusive new active African safari — a point-to-point kayaking expedition across 120 miles of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Botswana: Kayaking the Okavangowill be offered twice in 2014: July 29-August 5, and August 12-19. The paddling odyssey is one of the company’s Natural Habitat Expeditions offerings, a slate of unique active adventures to some of the world’s wildest places.

The inaugural trip will be guided by Olaf Malver, CEO (Chief Exploratory Officer) of Natural Habitat Expeditions and an acclaimed global adventurer who holds a coveted membership in the Explorers Club. Malver designed the one-of-kind wildlife adventure in conjunction with local partners in Botswana.

The 7-night, 8-day trip, which accommodates a maximum of 10 travelers, includes five nights of wilderness tent camping, with a night on either end at a deluxe safari camp.

Dedicated to creating “trailblazing” adventures, Malver seeks to return travelers to the era of Africa’s early explorers on a secluded voyage through some of the continent’s last, best wilderness. The expedition, pioneered by Natural Habitat, will traverse the delta’s varied habitats, from permanently flooded wetlands and clear-flowing channels to dry islands and seasonal floodplains home to big game and predators.

“What’s unique about this trip,” said Malver, “is the opportunity to do something active away from the typical safari crowds, in one of the most wildlife-intense areas in Africa.”

“The adventure holds special appeal for seasoned safari-goers,” said Malver. “They have done the ‘circling’ thing – one dusty lion in the middle of 15 Land Rovers – and they’re ready for a chance to feel alone in the vastness of the great African wild.”

Wildlife is the Okavango is prolific, and paddlers can expect to see hippo, crocodile, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog, kudu, impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, waterbuck, red lechwe, sitatunga, lion and leopard. Fortunate guests may also spy the less frequently seen cheetah, sable and wild dog.

“To meet Africa in silence that’s broken only by the drip of a paddle, the call of birds and the rustle of wildlife in the reeds is a wilderness experience available to very few modern-day safari-goers,” said Malver. “This is a chance to meet nature in a humbling and rewarding way, for those willing to work for it.” Paddlers should expect to kayak for an average of 5-7 hours per day over the course of six days in the delta, with one layover day in the middle.

The expedition begins with a short chartered flight from Maun to Nguma Island in the permanently flooded northwestern Okavango Delta. It finishes at Moremi Crossing, followed by a return flight to Maun. A 4-day, 3-night luxury safari camp extension is also offered in conjunction with the trip.