Mokoro

A mokoro (also spelled makoro) (Tswana: [mʊˈkɔrɔ], pl.: mekoro[1]) is a type of canoe commonly used in the Okavango Delta and on the Chobe River in Botswana. It is propelled through the shallow waters of the delta or the river by standing in the stern and pushing with a pole, in the same manner as punting.

Two wooden mekoro

Travelling in a Mokoro (Okavangodelta 2017)

Mekoro are traditionally made by digging out the trunk of a large straight tree, such as an ebony tree or Kigelia tree. Modern mekoro, however, are increasingly made of fiberglass, one of the advantages of which is the preservation of more of the large endangered trees. Mokoro safaris are a popular way for tourists to visit the delta and river, much of which is located in national parks, but the boats are still a practical means of transport for local residents to use to move around the swamp. The boats are very vulnerable to attack by hippopotamus, which can overturn them with ease. Hippopotamus are reputed to have developed this behavior after the use of mekoro and other boats for hunting.

See also

• Dugout (boat)

References

1. Setswana-English-Setswana Dictionary, Macmillan Botswana, 4th edition

• Setswana-English-Setswana Dictionary, Macmillan Botswana, 4th edition