Walking safaris are offered from virtually all of the camps within private Delta concessions, at least at times of the year when water levels are favourable. While some are necessarily relatively short strolls in areas close to camps largely encircled by water, others are exceptional. Botswana’s safari guides are renowned, and the walking safaris have a reputation arguably second only to Zambia’s. Walks will tend to be conducted with a specialist guide and an armed scout, walking at either side of a single-file train, should the close encounters with big game become a little too close for comfort!

The best walks are a detailed, intimate exploration of the bush: the alarm calls of the various antelope as you approach; the scat and tracks of each animal, which you will be something of an expert in by the end of your stay; the unique smells that suddenly become prevalent as you cross a dry riverbed and encounter a potato bush or wild lavender; and the unmatched, goosebump inducing thrill of realising that you are suddenly close to elephant, lion or buffalo on foot, utterly reliant on the wits and expertise of others. One of the best walking options is Ker & Downey’s Footsteps programme, but there are many other camps or mobile programmes that can offer you genuine excitement on foot!