Okavango Delta
Explore The Magic Of The World's Largest Inland Delta, Teeming With Wildlife
The reason most people visit Botswana in the first place is to experience all that is the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With her crystal clear waters and spectacular game viewing and birdlife safaris, her range of safari activities and of course, all those stunning safari lodges and camps. Known as the "Jewel of the Kalahari Desert", one of Africa's most sought-after safari destinations, and for a good reason, it is utterly amazing.
The Okavango Delta is a vast inland river delta in northern Botswana. The Okavango River flows into the desert and then starts to slow down, creating one of the largest oases in the world. The result is an amazing wetland ecosystem teeming with wildlife.
There are few places on earth where you can see such a concentration of wildlife. The Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, red lechwe, hippos and many more. It is also a birding paradise with over 500 species of bird species.
Activities on the countless islands and lagoons include game drives, mokoro (dugout canoe) trips, walking safaris and boat cruises. You can also combine a safari here with a visit to Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Moremi Game Reserve for the ultimate Botswana safari experience.
General Facts And Information
- Size: 15 000km²
- When to visit the park: Year-round, most of the lodges and camps offer activities as per water levels
- Climate: Summers are hot with rainstorms, and winters are mild are dry
- Rainfall: 525mm per annum varying
- Altitude: 930m - 1000m above sea level
- Location: meandering waterways in the Northwestern region of Botswana near Maun
- Accommodation: Lodges In The Okavango Delta
Where is Okavango Delta located?
The far northwestern region of Botswana is home to the famed Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. The source of the Okavango lies within Angola, and her waters pass through both Angola and Namibia to get into Botswana's Kalahari Desert basin. Moremi Game Reserve is found within the Okavango to the southeast.
To view the Okavango from HERE Maps, click here: HERE Maps
Information On The Okavango Delta
A magical water world set in a lush environment, the Okavango Delta, in the midst of the Kalahari, is Africa's largest and most spectacular inland delta.
Game viewing sightings and safaris are nothing short of fantastic; one has the chance to spot elephant, hippopotamus, red lechwe, Cape buffalo, wildebeest, kudu, sable, roan and impala, to mention but a few. These dense concentrations of game are closely accompanied by lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and African wild dog.
Bird species are everywhere, from the majestic fish eagles, exotic herons, brightly coloured bee-eaters and even rarities like the slaty egrets and Pel's fishing owl.
Inhabiting the waters of the Delta are an estimated 35 million fish of almost 80 species.
One of the most unique places in the world, and is a popular destination for safari enthusiasts. There are many safari lodges and safari camps located in the delta, each with its own unique character and offerings.
The Okavango Delta is one of the most popular destinations for safari enthusiasts, and there are a number of different activities available in the area. Some of the most popular include game drives, water-based excursions (boat cruises and mokoro trips), and walking safaris.
Game drives allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of Africa's most iconic animals. Water-based excursions are also popular in the area, and there are a number of different ways to explore the waterways. Options include traditional canoe safaris, mokoro rides (a type of dugout canoe), and even fishing trips.
Walking safaris are another great way to explore the Okavango Delta. These guided tours allow visitors to get off the beaten track and really experience the African bush. During a walking safari, you'll have the opportunity to see a variety of different animals up close, as well as stunning views of the Delta itself.
Best Time to Visit The Okavango Delta?
This question is as tricky as it gets, and in our opinion, it will depend on how you react to heat and what your expectations would be when visiting the Okavango. Summer days are hot with rain showers, while winter days are mild to warm with no rainfall.
In the summer months, the waters of the delta are at their lowest, while in the winter months, the waters of the delta are at their highest. So the question one has to ask is what do you, our client want when visiting the Okavango Delta? Is it purely water-based safari activities, is it purely land-based safari activities, or would you prefer a combination of both?
There are a lot of safari lodges and camps in the delta that offer activities based on the levels of the water, while in summer, they can only do game drives, but come winter and the rising waters of the Okavango, game drives fall away, and the only activities available are water-based.
We would suggest that the Delta is a year-round safari destination and leave you to advise us on what you are looking for when in the Okavango region; like we mentioned before, it is a tricky question to answer.
Main Attractions And Activities
- Poling in a dugout canoe (mokoro) through lagoons crammed with water lilies, hippos and wildlife
- Fishing safaris for the prized Tigerfish and Bream
- Game Drives when the water levels are low
- Exceptional game viewing and birdlife safaris
- Moremi Game Reserve
- Being so remote and far away from human settlements
- The town of Maun is an interesting visit
- A range of lodges and camps across all budgets
- And if you have the budget, a few days (or more) on 'Chief's Island'
The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful and unique areas in Africa, famed for its fantastic game viewing sightings. The best time to visit depends on what you're looking for, but the area is a year-round destination with something to offer everyone.
Whether you're looking for an amazing safari experience or just want to relax in a lush environment, the Okavango Delta is the perfect place for you.
- Abu Camp
Wilderness Abu Camp, located in one of Botswana's most pristine wilderness areas, offers a truly unforgettable African safari experience, immersing you in the stunning beauty and remarkable wildlife of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
As a guest at Wilderness Abu Camp, you will have the unique opportunity to walk alongside elephants and even ride them, gaining a rare and intimate glimpse into their world and social dynamics.
- Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp, with its five luxurious safari suites, offers an intimate safari experience in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Each suite is designed to provide breathtaking views of the Jao Flats floodplains, immersing guests in the region's natural beauty.
Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including thrilling game drives to spot wildlife, serene canoeing adventures through the waterways, and guided walking safaris that bring you closer to nature.
- San Camp
San Camp offers up seven luxurious khaki tented suites set in a private concession that adjoins the Makgadikgadi National Park, offering up spectacular and endless vistas of these magnificent pans.
San Camp is nestled within the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana; this luxury camp offers guests unrivalled access to some of the most unique and wildlife-rich landscapes in Africa. From game drives to walks with bushmen trackers, San Camp provides an authentic and immersive safari experience that you will never forget.
- Camp Savuti
A Camp Savuti safari is to experience the legendary wildlife and birdlife of the Botswana Savute region. Get up close and personal with Africa's top predators, witness large herds of elephants, zebra and wildebeest and experience this all from an open-air 4x4.
A Savute safari in Botswana's Chobe National Park awaits all that visit this exceptional camp, no matter the time of year.
- Kadizora Camp
Tucked between the picturesque Vumbura River and the serene Selinda Spillway in the northern Okavango Delta, Kadizora Camp is one of the most stunning destinations in the region. This breathtaking location, often hailed as one of the most beautiful in the Delta.
The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular, with sweeping vistas and a sense of tranquility that makes every moment feel like a dream. Kadizora Camp effortlessly combines the raw beauty of the Delta with the thrill of incredible wildlife encounters, creating an unforgettable experience for every guest.
- Tuludi Camp
Tuludi Camp is an exquisite safari lodge in the Khwai Private Reserve of Botswana, comprised of 200,000 hectares of untouched wilderness that is located to on the edge of the Okavango Delta floodplains.
Enjoy the spectacular beauty of this region and its diverse wildlife by staying in one of the seven luxurious tented suites, all set in a tree-house style and shaded by leadwood trees.
During your stay, participate in game drives, walking safaris, swimming pool and water-based activities to make the most of your time here and discover what makes Tuludi so unique. It is an experience you won will soon forget!