Shakawe

Shakawe sits where the Okavango river enters Botswana from Namibia, at the top of the panhandle, the narrow channel that carries the water south before it fans out into the delta. Here the river is a proper river rather than a maze of channels, running between papyrus walls, and it is the country's main fishing base: tigerfish and bream are the targets and the run in September and October is the peak. The papyrus and riverine forest hold birds that are hard to find further south, including Pel's fishing owl.

What you actually see

• The tigerfish run - the September and October peak that draws anglers to the panhandle.
• The papyrus channel - the river running between reed walls before it spreads.
• Pel's fishing owl - one of the region's more reliable areas for the species.
• The riverine forest - stands along the banks holding specialist birds.

When to go

May to October is the dry season and the main window. September and October are the tigerfish peak and the busiest weeks. The rains from December to March bring humidity and mosquitoes.

Honest expectations

Lodges are strung along the river outside the village and the village itself has little for visitors. Crocodiles and hippo are present and swimming is not sensible. Fishing is catch and release for tigerfish in most operations, which some anglers do not expect.

Nearby

Tsodilo Hills are southeast, and the Okavango panhandle runs south.