Okavango Delta Overview
In the heart of Southern Africa, lies a unique pulsing wetland and a wildlife haven resembling that of Eden. The Okavango Delta is an alluvial fan fluctuating between 6000 and 15000 square kilometers of river channels, papyrus-choked reed beds, lily covered lagoons, and islands of palm trees, termite mounds and grasslands. It is here in the Delta that wildlife is thriving, left largely untouched, and offering a safari experience second to none.
The Okavango Delta is one of the few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost completely intact. One of it’s unique characteristics is that the annual flooding from the Okavango (Kavango) River occurs primarily during the dry season, which has resulted in native plants and wildlife species synchronizing their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, biological and hydrological processes.
Permanent crystal clear waters and dissolved nutrients transform the otherwise dry Kalahari Desert habitat into a scenic landscape of exceptional and rare beauty, sustaining an ecosystem of remarkable diversity and habitat, maintaining its ecological resilience, and earning its right as one of the most amazing natural phenomena on the planet.
As a species rich environment, the Delta contains an estimated 130 wildlife species, an estimated 482 bird species, 1061 plant species, 89 fish species, and 64 reptile species. Today Botswana supports the world’s largest remaining population of the African Elephant, with the Okavango Delta being a core region of the species survival.
As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Delta also became the 1000th site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014, due to its important ecology and wildlife, protected by both the Moremi Game Reserve, on its eastern edge, and the numerous wildlife concessions within Ngamiland. It is also recognised as an Important Birding Area (IBA) harbouring an estimated 24 species of globally threatened birds.
When To Travel
December to February are hot wet months with daytime temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F), warm nights, and humidity levels fluctuating between 50 – 80%. From March to May, the temperature becomes far more comfortable with a maximum of 30°C (86°F) during the day and mild to cool nights. The rains quickly dry up leading into the dry, cold winter months of June to August. Daytime temperatures at this time of year are mild to warm, but the temperature begins to fall after sunset. Nights can be surprisingly cold in the Delta, with temperatures barely above freezing. The September to November span has the heat and atmospheric pressure build up once more, as the dry season slides into the rainy season. October is the most challenging month for visitors – daytime temperatures often push past 40°C and the dryness is only occasionally broken by a sudden cloudburst.
January to April
Low season in the Delta. Rainfall is typical although not excessive and temperatures sit around 30°C. Most migratory animals have dispersed from the Delta, but wildlife viewing remains pretty impressive. Water-based safaris are only possible on the permanent channels putting wetter camps at a premium.
May and June
The floodwaters start to arrive in the Delta, hitting the Panhandle first where wildlife initially concentrates. Grass cover is highest in May, making it possibly the worst month to visit the Delta.
July to September
High season in the Delta with perfect daytime temperatures (20°C to 30°C), clear blue skies and enormous numbers of animals. Grass cover dies back so visibility is good. As the flood spreads from the northwest to southeast, consider the timing of your visit and the location of your camp carefully. Fishing season is August to October when barbel and tiger fish run the rivers.
October to December
Temperatures build to over 35°C, making October hot and sticky. Wildlife starts to depart from the Delta and the floodwaters dissipate by the time the November rains break. Although the migratory wildlife has gone, much resident wildlife remains and birthing season begins.
Getting There
Generally the Okavango Delta is only accessible by light aircraft transfer. Maun, situated at the southeastern tip of the Delta, is the main gateway to the Okavango. However, flights also operate from Kasane, a small town set next to the Chobe River, on the busy overland route from Victoria Falls.
Species
Wildlife
As one of the world’s premier wilderness areas, the Okavango Delta is host to an estimated 260,000 mammals during the dry season months and sustains robust populations of some of the world’s most endangered mammals throughout the year. White and Black Rhinoceros, Painted Dog, Cheetah, Lion, Pangolin among others are all adapted to living within this unique ecosystem. The deep-water and papyrus areas of the Delta have thriving populations of sitatunga and lechwe, and other herbivore and antelope species include zebra, reedbuck, giraffe, bushbuck, and occasionally eland, sable and roan.
Birdlife
With the Delta being a haven to 24 species of globally threatened birds including among others six species of Vulture, the Southern Ground-Hornbill, Wattled Crane and the Slaty Egret, and 33 species of waterbirds occurring in the Delta in numbers that exceed 0.5% of their global population, it is a particularly popular destination for keen birding fanatics. Other specialties of the Delta include the coppery-tailed coucal, brown firefinch, Bradfield’s hornbill, the lesser jacana, the rosy-throated longclaw and the tiny chirping cisticola.
In the heart of Southern Africa, lies a unique pulsing wetland and a wildlife haven resembling that of Eden. The Okavango Delta is an alluvial fan fluctuating between 6000 and 15000 square kilometers of river channels, papyrus-choked reed beds, lily covered lagoons, and islands of palm trees, termite mounds and grasslands. It is here in the Delta that wildlife is thriving, left largely untouched, and offering a safari experience second to none.
The Okavango Delta is one of the few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost completely intact. One of it’s unique characteristics is that the annual flooding from the Okavango (Kavango) River occurs primarily during the dry season, which has resulted in native plants and wildlife species synchronizing their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, biological and hydrological processes.
Permanent crystal clear waters and dissolved nutrients transform the otherwise dry Kalahari Desert habitat into a scenic landscape of exceptional and rare beauty, sustaining an ecosystem of remarkable diversity and habitat, maintaining its ecological resilience, and earning its right as one of the most amazing natural phenomena on the planet.
As a species rich environment, the Delta contains an estimated 130 wildlife species, an estimated 482 bird species, 1061 plant species, 89 fish species, and 64 reptile species. Today Botswana supports the world’s largest remaining population of the African Elephant, with the Okavango Delta being a core region of the species survival.
As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Delta also became the 1000th site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014, due to its important ecology and wildlife, protected by both the Moremi Game Reserve, on its eastern edge, and the numerous wildlife concessions within Ngamiland. It is also recognised as an Important Birding Area (IBA) harbouring an estimated 24 species of globally threatened birds.
December to February are hot wet months with daytime temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F), warm nights, and humidity levels fluctuating between 50 – 80%. From March to May, the temperature becomes far more comfortable with a maximum of 30°C (86°F) during the day and mild to cool nights. The rains quickly dry up leading into the dry, cold winter months of June to August. Daytime temperatures at this time of year are mild to warm, but the temperature begins to fall after sunset. Nights can be surprisingly cold in the Delta, with temperatures barely above freezing. The September to November span has the heat and atmospheric pressure build up once more, as the dry season slides into the rainy season. October is the most challenging month for visitors – daytime temperatures often push past 40°C and the dryness is only occasionally broken by a sudden cloudburst.
January to April
Low season in the Delta. Rainfall is typical although not excessive and temperatures sit around 30°C. Most migratory animals have dispersed from the Delta, but wildlife viewing remains pretty impressive. Water-based safaris are only possible on the permanent channels putting wetter camps at a premium.
May and June
The floodwaters start to arrive in the Delta, hitting the Panhandle first where wildlife initially concentrates. Grass cover is highest in May, making it possibly the worst month to visit the Delta.
July to September
High season in the Delta with perfect daytime temperatures (20°C to 30°C), clear blue skies and enormous numbers of animals. Grass cover dies back so visibility is good. As the flood spreads from the northwest to southeast, consider the timing of your visit and the location of your camp carefully. Fishing season is August to October when barbel and tiger fish run the rivers.
October to December
Temperatures build to over 35°C, making October hot and sticky. Wildlife starts to depart from the Delta and the floodwaters dissipate by the time the November rains break. Although the migratory wildlife has gone, much resident wildlife remains and birthing season begins.
Generally the Okavango Delta is only accessible by light aircraft transfer. Maun, situated at the southeastern tip of the Delta, is the main gateway to the Okavango. However, flights also operate from Kasane, a small town set next to the Chobe River, on the busy overland route from Victoria Falls.
Wildlife
As one of the world’s premier wilderness areas, the Okavango Delta is host to an estimated 260,000 mammals during the dry season months and sustains robust populations of some of the world’s most endangered mammals throughout the year. White and Black Rhinoceros, Painted Dog, Cheetah, Lion, Pangolin among others are all adapted to living within this unique ecosystem. The deep-water and papyrus areas of the Delta have thriving populations of sitatunga and lechwe, and other herbivore and antelope species include zebra, reedbuck, giraffe, bushbuck, and occasionally eland, sable and roan.
Birdlife
With the Delta being a haven to 24 species of globally threatened birds including among others six species of Vulture, the Southern Ground-Hornbill, Wattled Crane and the Slaty Egret, and 33 species of waterbirds occurring in the Delta in numbers that exceed 0.5% of their global population, it is a particularly popular destination for keen birding fanatics. Other specialties of the Delta include the coppery-tailed coucal, brown firefinch, Bradfield’s hornbill, the lesser jacana, the rosy-throated longclaw and the tiny chirping cisticola.
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