The Rollers’ Epic 10-Year Journey: A Decade of Adventure, Discovery, and Environmental Commitment

For a decade, The Rollers—a spirited group of eight bird lovers and adventurers from Zulu-Land, the Winelands, and the Big Smoke—have returned to Southern Africa’s wild places with the same simple intention: to reconnect with nature, deepen their understanding of the natural world, and remind themselves why conservation matters.

This year marked their tenth and most ambitious journey yet—an expedition into the beating heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. But this wasn’t just a celebration of adventure; it was a sobering encounter with an ecosystem undergoing rapid, unsettling change.

A Delta Under Pressure

The Okavango Delta is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a sanctuary for some of the planet’s most iconic wildlife. Yet beneath its breathtaking beauty lies a fragile system struggling against forces both natural and human-made.

Water levels, fed by rivers flowing from Angola, have dramatically shifted due to tectonic changes and unsustainable human activity upstream. While Botswana treasures the Delta—tourism contributes roughly 13% of the country’s GDP—the same cannot be said for its source regions.

The Rollers had visited the Delta many times, but never before had they witnessed such extreme changes. What they encountered would redefine not only their journey, but their mission.

A Tradition Rooted in Curiosity—Evolving into Conservation

The Rollers’ annual trips began as a search for rare birds and wild encounters. Over the years, these excursions have transformed the group into a community of naturalists determined to use their experiences to advocate for environmental preservation.

What started as a passion project has grown into a purpose-driven commitment: to understand, protect, and support the landscapes they explore.

Their tenth anniversary trip would be their most testing adventure yet.

Into the Shallows: A Journey That Tested Every Oar and Nerve

From the outset, the Delta revealed just how much it had changed.

Meeting their guide—Master, a man with more than 40 years of experience in the Delta—they launched their two boats near Maun, expecting at least a moderately navigable channel. Instead, they found themselves pushing and pulling boats through increasingly shallow waters for eleven exhausting hours.

Master, usually unshakable, admitted these were some of the lowest water levels he’d seen in two decades.

By nightfall, the group set camp along the Bora Channel—tired, humbled, but more determined than ever.

The next morning delivered their first gifts: a Red-necked Falcon (a “lifer”) and a dramatic aerial hunt by a pair of Lanner Falcons. Despite the absence of water birds, the skies were alive with raptors, and under the guidance of long-time Ranger and friend Brett Horley, the Rollers rekindled their love for tracking, observation, and wilderness exploration.

Lemon Tree Island: A Return Marked by Emotion and Change

Day two brought tense encounters with hippos—both living and long-departed—before the group finally arrived at Lemon Tree Island. For Master and his team, this was more than a stop: it was their first return since 2019. The relief and sadness were palpable. This once-thriving island now stood as stark evidence of a Delta transformed.

Yet nature still had magic to offer.

An evening walk revealed the unmistakable feathers of the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl. At dawn, the Rollers set out to track the legendary bird, guided by years of experience, instinct, and hope. Passing Wattled Cranes and Ground Hornbills, they finally found it—a tiger-striped sentinel perched in a towering Appleleaf tree.

It was the moment that reminded them why they do this. Why they keep returning. Why they must continue to fight for places like the Delta.

Reaching Chiefs Island: A Celebration and a Call to Action

Four days into the expedition, the shallow labyrinth finally gave way to deeper channels, leading the Rollers to Chiefs Island—a place that inspired their love for Botswana through the films of conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

Their final days included a rare on-foot encounter with a pack of painted wolves and long nights spent around the fire, listening to local guides share stories of change, struggle, and resilience within the Delta.

Before leaving, the Rollers pledged to sponsor two new guides from nearby communities—an investment in the people who protect the wilderness every day.

Their final view of the Delta came from the air, where smoke from widespread fires clouded the landscape below. A stark reminder: human impact does not end at the water’s edge.

142 Birds. 28 Mammals. One Shared Purpose.

The Rollers concluded their journey with 142 bird species identified, 28 mammal species encountered, and a shared conviction that their role as adventurers must always include responsibility.

What they experienced in the Delta is a warning—but also a call to action.

They left with a renewed mission:• To raise awareness.• To support local conservation.• To help ensure that the Okavango Delta—and wild spaces like it—survive for future generations.

Because adventure is a gift. But conservation is a duty.

Keep Rolling. Keep Protecting. Keep Giving Back.