OK, Van Gogh.

Pole pole.

Boro Village, Botswana – In unison with dragonflies in the air, water bugs skitter across the glassy surface. White day lilies sway gracefully amongst the tall reeds.

Our pilot, Kay, stabs at the ground with a long pole, guiding our narrow fibreglass mokoro – a traditional dugout canoe – through the narrow arteries of the Okavango Delta toward the island that will be our home for the next couple nights. It's utterly peaceful as we glide over the surface of the shallow water.

Apart from the odd reed that slaps you across the face as you pass.

In the distance, a massive bull elephant grazes indifferently.

In the afternoon, we have an opportunity to borrow a mokoro – standing tall with a long pole, trying to maintain balance at all costs – to visit the swimming hole. Just be sure to avoid the hippo pool, we’re told.

Free in the Okavango Delta: amazing.