In late May the rains fall on the Angola heights and cause a huge surge of cold clean water to flush out the Okavango Delta. In early June we can get a secondary push from further cleaning up the Delta. The water that comes through is cold (14 – 17 degrees Celsius), which coupled with the cool ambient air temperature gives us the conditions to dive with the Nile Croc. This gives us a very small window of opportunity every year.
All activities will start at Maun Airport. You will be picked up at the airport and transported to Sepope to a Lodge call Swamp Stop. We will spend one night at Swamp Stop. The next morning we will have breakfast and then whilst we go “croc hunting” our baggage will be transported to our Safari Campsite on an island called Ikoga or White Landover Island, our operations center for the next 5 nights. The campsite will be equipped with individual one man dome tents that are en-suite. We will have a mess tent, for all meals as well as a charging tent for all your camera equipment
Diving with Nile Crocodiles
Photography
Exploration
Nile crocodiles like to bask in the sun along riverbanks in the Okavango Delta. During June and July (Botswana’s winter), the water is a chilly 55-62° F, and underwater visibility is about twenty feet. These huge reptiles spend many hours every day soaking up the heat from the sun’s rays, but the moment a crocodile spots our boat, they dive seeking security in the water.
Cold water makes them lethargic and slow, and their poor underwater vision provides us with a great opportunity to photograph these heavily armored crocodilians with most powerful jaws bite, greater of the Great White shark. Taking advantage of the crocodile’s habits, our days on the delta begin between 9-10 am so we can view basking crocodiles.
The moment the croc seeks refuge under water, we stop our boat approximately 100 yards away. Quickly donning scuba tanks over the 5 to 7mm wetsuits, we enter the water. Our descent is direct; we do not want to remain on the water’s surface, known as the croc’s “kill zone.” The reptile is attracted to subjects on the water’s surface, especially those that are silhouetted against the sun, so it is imperative that we descend quickly and spend as little time on the surface as possible so as not to look like a potential meal.
The current is often very strong and just like the crocodile does, we drift with the current and do not fight against it. We might need to dig into the sand bed with a hand or brace against the bottom with our knees just to try to stay in place. This can make an already difficult search even harder, all part of the adventure. The crocodile’s body color and shape blends with the river’s dark soil, especially near trees and papyrus reeds, making them challenging to locate. We move cautiously and quietly as we search.
We look for a line of jagged white teeth, since it is the most easily distinguishing characteristic of a croc as they hide in the shadows of the riverbank. They usually remain completely motionless, perfectly camouflaged in their environment with the exception of those gleaming, white teeth. Then we see them, but they probably don’t see us. With thick nictitating membranes drawn over their eyes for protection, their vision underwater is limited and they won’t notice our slow and stealthy approach.
The team leader carefully approaches with the guest remaining behind with the safety diver. When the “safe to approach” signal is given, the guest (perfect buoyancy is required for this adventure) moves side by side with the safety diver to a distance of no less than 12 inches. While they are not known to be aggressive underwater, it is wise to at least allow this minimum amount of space between their mouth and your port. in addition to boasting the most powerful jaws in the animal kingdom, crocodiles have sensors in their lower jaw that help them interpret spatial relationships to objects to compensate for their poor underwater vision; invading their but the moment a crocodile spots our boat, they dive seeking security in the water.
A mobile safari camp will be our home base for the week. Each guest will have their own private tent furnished with a bed complete with a comfortable mattress, pillows, fresh linens, and wool blankets. Attached to each tent is a shower and a seat toilet. Our dedicated safari crew will make sure warm water is available in your tent every morning for washing up, and each evening after we return from diving.
Our safari camp will have a generator that can be used to run refrigerators and lights and will also allow us to charge our computers and batteries. A separate tent will be set up as a charging station for all our gear. There will also be one large dining tent that opens up to a gorgeous view of the river. Please remember that we are in an extremely remote area, and a satellite phone will be the only way to stay in touch with the outside world should you need to do so. Anything that you might need and/or want during your time in the safari camp must be brought with you, because the nearest shopping center is about 500 miles away.
Day 1
Depart your home state to Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 2
Arrive Johannesburg and overnight at airport hotel
Day 3
Fly from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana.
Transfer to accommodation, approx. 5hrs. road trip
First night will be at Swamp Stop.
Day 4 – Day 8
First early morning by boat, we dressed up and
equipped with camera and scuba. Luggage
transfered to the exclusive camp along the river.
Start 5 Days of extraordinary adventure in the
Okavango River with Nile Crocs.
Day 9
Depart the island by boat and than connect with our
vehicle, 5 hours road trip to Maun. Fly to
Johannesburg. Connect to your evening flight to
your next destination.
Temperature
Water 58 – 62°F (14 – 17°C)
Land 50 – 80°F (10 – 27°C)
Visibility
20 feet (5 meters)
Mobile Safari Camp with private tent
Book flights to Maun, Botswana through Johannesburg. Plan to stay one night in Johannesburg. We will pick you up at the Maun airport to escort you to the safari camp (5 hours).
You can reserve now by either paying a 33% deposit through our online reservation system or by by mailing a check (Please see Payment Policy, Deposit, and Cancellation Information below — a 3.5% processing fee is applied to all online transactions)
If you’d prefer to mail a check to our office or arrange for a wire transfer, please get in touch with us via the Contact BigAnimals form below
Please mail deposit check to:
Big Animals LLC
189 Evans Avenue, Suite A
Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA
When we receive your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive and detailed trip preparation document about the experience and the destination. All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. All trips require you carry trip, health, and dive (if applicable) insurance. This information as well as your passport photo will be requested after you place your deposit.
Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
Your deposit reserves your place on the trip. However, the full amount is due 90 days or more before the expedition date begins.
You will receive a confirmation email when your application is received. When your deposit is complete, you will receive trip confirmation. Complete trip details will be sent upon final payment.
View the Expedition Page for Total Trip Price and Cancellation Policies
| Dates (Nile Crocodiles) |
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