Overview
Take a trip to Okavango Delta on your Botswana Vacation
The Okavango Delta is the result of the Okavango (Kavango) River flowing into the Kalahari Desert. Despite being in the arid Kalahari, the Delta supports a variety of wildlife on Botswana safaris.
The Okavango Delta is produced by seasonal flooding and begins when Botswana’s summer rains start to disappear. During January and February, the river drains rainfall from the Angola highlands and continues to flow for 1,200 km (746 mi) taking about a month to do so. From March to June the waters begin to spread over the Delta and between June to August (Botswana’s dry winter months), the Delta swells to three times its regular size.
When the Delta swells it attracts animals from far and wide in search of water. As a result, the area offers some of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife. It is both a permanent and seasonal home to many species. Over 400 recorded bird species are accompanied by elephants, buffalo, hippos, blue wildebeest, giraffes, springboks and both black and white rhinos. A favourite amongst predators, lions and leopards are common and the area is a stronghold for cheetahs. The Okavango Delta also hosts one of the richest park densities of the endangered African wild dog on Botswana safaris.
Okavango Delta is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list and as such, conservation is very important. While only Moremi Game Reserve has official protective status within the Delta, long-term conservation is the goal of the area.
Okavango Delta is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list and as such, conservation is very important. While only Moremi Game Reserve has official protective status within the Delta, long-term conservation is the goal of the area.
At a Glance
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Botswana Pula (BWP)What do the experts say?
Some travellers believe that Botswana is the most expensive destination in Africa. But there are many ways to travel in Botswana to lower the price point. You just have to know the right camps and lodges
The country is one of the only countries in Southern Africa that offers traditional road safaris, walking safaris, water (motorboat, canoe, and traditional mokoro) safaris
May - September is considered the prime time for game viewing, particularly in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. Animals are easier to spot as they gather around water sources, and the vegetation is less dense
Seeing the delta from the air is a great photo ...
On Safari in Botswana
Lilies in Okavango Delta
Lion at Okavango Delta
Sunrise above the misty Delta grasslands is alw...
Moroko boat sailing through the Okavango
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