A mokoro (also spelt makoro) (locally: [mʊˈkɔrɔ], pl.: mekoro) is a type of canoe commonly used in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. It is propelled through the shallow waters of the delta by standing in the stern and pushing with a pole, in the same manner as punting.
Mokoro are traditionally made by digging out the trunk of a large straight tree, such as an ebony tree or Kigelia tree. Modern mokoro, however, are increasingly made of fibre-glass, 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, much of which is in national parks, but the boats are still a practical means of transport for residents 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 behaviour after the use of mokoro and other boats for hunting.
Aak to Zumbra gives additional info: Mokoro it is the water taxi of the Okavanga Swamp. Shape depends on the shape of the tree and might not be straight if the tree had a bend.
Reported lengths 3.7 – 7.6m, width 0.6m or less.
Botswana 1978 25t sg432, scott? 1991 8t/2p sg717, scott498 and 720, scott501. 1995 40t sg 802, scott579. 2000 P2.00 sg?, scott?. 2014 P8.00 sg?, scott?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokoro