Makomkom Safaris is a Botswana company rooted in the heart of the Okavango Delta region. Born and raised in this pristine wetland environment, we have an intimate connection with the land.
Born and raised in the Delta, the Makomkom team members are master trackers, experienced guides, talented chefs, and natural hosts. They know this land intimately, and they share it with one goal in mind — giving you the experience of a lifetime.
As stewards of this remarkable ecosystem, the Makomkom is committed to preserving its natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations.
Gee Mange was born and raised on Chinxom Island, a small island deep within the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. Growing up surrounded by wildlife from his earliest years, he developed an instinctive understanding of animal behaviour — learning to read the bush long before he ever entered a classroom.
That natural foundation was sharpened through rigorous professional training in Botswana, followed by advanced guiding qualifications in South Africa. The combination of lifelong bush knowledge and formal expertise made Gee one of the most sought-after safari guides in the region.
Gee spent twelve years with his first company — a lodge-based operation in the Okavango Delta, the region he was born in and the one that remains closest to his heart. But working within the boundaries of a single lodge concession left him wanting more. He moved to a mobile safari company, where he could explore further afield — guiding across the Kalahari, Chobe, and beyond, building an even deeper understanding of Botswana's diverse landscapes.
After seven years with that second company, Gee knew it was time. Working for others, no matter how respected the operation, was limiting what he could offer. He wanted to share the Okavango on his own terms — with the authenticity, depth, and personal connection that only a true local can provide. That vision became Makomkom Safaris.
Today, Gee leads every safari with the same passion that shaped him as a boy on Chinxom Island — an intimate knowledge of the land, an unshakeable respect for its wildlife, and a genuine desire to share both with every guest who joins him. He prides himself on being able to expertly decipher the whispers of the wild, locate animals, and identify bird species of the region.
Years of experience also made him a gifted wildlife photographer, adept at positioning the safari vehicle for the perfect shot.
The Okavango Delta is one of the world's most extraordinary natural wonders — a vast inland river delta in northern Botswana. The Okavango River fans out into a shimmering labyrinth of lagoons, floodplains, islands, and papyrus-lined channels before slowly disappearing into the desert sands — creating a lush, life-giving oasis.
Few places on Earth rival the Delta for sheer wildlife density. Botswana is one of the few places where sightings of the big five are genuinely possible, even the rare rhino, thanks to on-going conservation efforts. Elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo alongside one of Africa's most endangered and thrilling predators, the wild dog. Beyond them lies an extraordinary world of antelope, giraffe, zebra, hippo, hyena, jackal, and so many more.
With over 500 recorded bird species, the Delta is a birdwatcher's paradise. Highlights include the African fish eagle, pel's fishing owl, wattled crane, and vast flocks of carmine bee-eaters.
As locals deeply rooted in the community, we can arrange authentic cultural experiences that many safari operators cannot offer — real connections with real people who call this region home.
We can arrange boats for specialized water tours, allowing you to explore the intricate waterways of the Delta from a different perspective.
These excursions complement mokoro rides and delta cruises.
Our deep community connections mean these experiences are arranged authentically and respectfully — supporting local communities and ensuring genuine cultural insights.
At Makomkom, your safari extends far beyond the wildlife encounters. From arrival to departure, our team ensures every aspect of your journey is exceptional.
Our local chef creates amazing meals over an open campfire — combining traditional cooking methods with fresh ingredients for unforgettable dining moments under the stars.
Gather around the campfire for after-dinner drinks and conversation. Hear captivating local stories and end your evenings with spectacular starwatching under unpolluted skies.
The Makomkom Difference: hospitality rooted in genuine warmth, local knowledge, and a deep commitment to creating memories that last a lifetime.
Tell us your interests and we’ll craft a journey that matches your timeline and dream safari experience.
🌍 Myth: Africa is one big safari park. It is perhaps the most pervasive misconception about an entire continent. Africa. The word alone conjures images of endless golden savannah, acacia trees silhouetted against crimson sunsets, and wildlife wandering freely in every direction as far as the eye can see. It's a beautiful image, but it only represents roughly 2% of the continent. Africa is the second largest continent on earth. It contains 54 countries, with over 1.4 billion people, megacities of extraordinary scale and sophistication, snow capped mountains, tropical rainforests, the world's largest hot desert, Mediterranean coastlines, alpine meadows, and ancient ruins that predate Rome by thousands of years. The wildlife we associate with safari exists in a remarkably small and increasingly pressured portion of that vast landscape.
National parks and protected areas are islands. Extraordinary, precious, fiercely defended islands — surrounded by the same pressures of development, agriculture, and human population growth that wildlife faces on every continent. This matters for conservation. When people imagine Africa as one vast untouched wilderness they underestimate the urgency of protecting what remains. The savannah is not infinite, the herds are not endless, the space is not guaranteed. Every protected area exists because someone fought for it. Every wildlife corridor is the result of negotiation, compromise and often enormous personal sacrifice by conservationists, communities and governments.
Africa is not a park. It is a continent of breathtaking complexity, diversity and contradiction — that happens to contain some of the most extraordinary wilderness remaining on earth. That wilderness is worth fighting for precisely because it is not guaranteed. 🌍
At Makomkom we go deeper — because understanding Africa means understanding what is truly at stake.
