“The Okavango Delta is an astonishing sight: the great Okavango River, rather than flow towards the sea, flows inland, into the sands of the Kalahari.” – Alexander McCall Smith
The Okavango Delta is one of the most extraordinary places in all of Africa.
Here, nature controls everything.
Calls from the Malachite Kingfisher fill the air on a hot morning, and in the evenings, as the sun sets over the glittering waters, the daily cacophony is replaced by the haunting calls of owls and the hair-raising roars of lions. There are secrets in the reeds, tales that are kept hidden from the world by the dense thicket.
Crowned the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the Okavango Delta is as close as a tourist can get to a land that has been left to grow wild, a place where the animals are free and safe to roam in the same natural habitat that their ancestors once did, and where life is dictated by the ebbs and flows of the river.
In a high rainfall season, the flood waters fill the lagoons and spill over onto the river plains, and the Delta becomes alive. The animals arrive in their droves, looking to take advantage of the abundance of plants and insects, with the predators not far behind. And even when the rest of Southern Africa is struggling with drought, the Delta remains full, although here and there a dead tree stands out against the blue waters and sky.
While the more conventional African safari destinations do offer tourists pretty exceptional safari packages, nothing is quite like the safaris that take place here. The Okavango Delta is a world all of its own, and each day tourists visit this ancient place to experience out-of-this-world wildlife encounters.
Visiting the Delta, or planning a trip to the area, can be daunting, as this is a truly wild and free destination.
To help you plan an Okavango Delta safari, this comprehensive guide is going to be all you need to ensure that you have a holiday of a lifetime, the kind that ticks off all of your wildest Botswana safari daydreams.
We’ll chart your course through sun-drenched days and starlit nights, guiding you to unforgettable encounters with iconic wildlife, from stalking predators to graceful giraffes silhouetted against the sunset.
So much more than just a travelogue, think of this handbook as your window into the Delta’s soul.
Where is the Okavango Delta?
The Okavango Delta is a uniquely situated, lily-filled natural estuary nestled deep in Botswana’s parched Kalahari Desert.
This 6 000-square-kilometre oasis doesn’t follow the rules of most deserts, or rivers for that matter, which makes it a bit of a special oddity.
The mighty Okavango River, defying logic, carves a life-giving path across an otherwise arid landscape, and all along its long and winding path, it creates a labyrinth of papyrus-fringed channels, lily-pad-dotted lagoons, and emerald islands teeming with life.
And if you have seen a couple of images of the Okavango in perfect light, in all of her glory, you will understand why some 100 000 people will make the trip to the area each year.
What makes the Okavango Delta such a special place?
To understand why the Okavango Delta is such a geological wonder, imagine a map torn in two.
Down the one side of the map, you have arid sands, and on the opposite side of the map, there are spectacular meandering waterways.
This is where the enigma of the Okavango Delta begins.
This is the largest inland Delta on the planet, and it defies all logic. Forget towering dunes and dusty plains that the Kalahari is famed for, the Delta is a fantastic network of life, all carved by the capricious hand of the magnificent ever-flowing Okavango River.
The river is a liquid lifeline that doesn’t behave like a river should. Instead of flowing towards an ocean, it rushes towards the thirsty Kalahari sands, creating a microcosm teeming with life.
But the Delta’s majesty is much more than just the visible watery currents.
The river is actually fed by unseen, underground channels.
Millions of years ago, tectonic plates shifted beneath the Delta creating a natural basin that continues to nourish this desert oasis, although the annual flood, arriving between June and August, also feeds the Delta, transforming grasslands into shimmering floodplains which in turn attract an orchestra of life including the iconic lumbering elephants and elusive sitatunga antelopes gliding through the reeds.
What makes the Okavango Delta such a special place?
To understand why the Okavango Delta is such a geological wonder, imagine a map torn in two.
Down the one side of the map, you have arid sands, and on the opposite side of the map, there are spectacular meandering waterways.
This is where the enigma of the Okavango Delta begins.
This is the largest inland delta on the planet, and it defies all logic. Forget towering dunes and dusty plains that the Kalahari is famed for, the Delta is a fantastic network of life, all carved by the capricious hand of the magnificent ever-flowing Okavango River.
The river is a liquid lifeline that doesn’t behave like a river should. Instead of flowing towards an ocean, it rushes towards the thirsty Kalahari sands, creating a microcosm teeming with life.
But the Delta’s majesty is much more than just the visible watery currents.
The river is actually fed by unseen, underground channels.
Millions of years ago, tectonic plates shifted beneath the Delta creating a natural basin that continues to nourish this desert oasis, although the annual flood, arriving between June and August, also feeds the Delta, transforming grasslands into shimmering floodplains which in turn attract an orchestra of life including the iconic lumbering elephants and elusive sitatunga antelopes gliding through the reeds.
Planning Your Okavango Delta Adventure
An Okavango Delta safari is that off-the-beaten-track holiday that everyone should experience, and there are plenty of exceptional Okavango Delta tour operators that offer travellers from around the world an excellent selection of holiday options ranging from opulent luxury retreats to rustic camping expeditions.
As with all African holidays, the success of your Botswana safari holiday comes down to the planning.
Before you start browsing travel packages, you need to know some of the basics about travelling to the Delta.
Having some of this knowledge will ensure that you not only choose the right package but that you pack the right things. The Delta, although visited by hundreds of thousands of guests each year, is still rather remote in that there are no towns in which to stock up on supplies. The nearest big town is Maun, which is a frontier town mostly used for land transfers or flights, and given the size of the Delta, you are more than likely going to be too deep in the wilderness, and too in awe of what you are experiencing, to really worry too much about any shops.
This is why your planning for your trip is so important. And we have all of the information you need.
Choosing the Right Time to Visit
As the seasons pass in the Delta, the landscape changes in both dramatic and unseen ways. Choosing the right time for your Okavango adventure hinges on your holiday expectations.
If you want an epic wildlife encounter, book your holiday during the dry season’s peak, between June and August. At this time of the year, you will have a front-row seat to seeing colossal herds thundering across sun-baked plains, their thirst leading them to the life-giving Delta. And in their wake, lions and other predators stalk their prey. June to August is winter in the Delta so pack for crisp mornings and warm days.
Perhaps your soul craves birding nirvana. Then, the green season, which is from January to April, is the best time to visit. At this time of year, the Delta bursts with life, and you’ll be treated to the sight of vibrant feathers flitting through verdant landscapes.
For photographers seeking dramatic landscapes, October’s fiery transition into summer can be magical. The parched earth cracks, the water recedes, and animal drama intensifies around shrinking waterholes, creating the perfect conditions to capture the unforgettable moments of desperate scrambles and desperate hunts, all under skies ablaze with the colours of the impending transformation.
Remember, the Okavango Delta is a year-round attraction, with each season whispering unique stories waiting to be discovered. Regardless of when you are planning to visit the area, you are guaranteed to have a spectacular holiday, full of exceptional sightings.
Off-Peak Season Benefits and Considerations
Like all holiday destinations, travelling during the off-season has its benefits, which go well beyond reduced rates.
The Delta’s off-season is from November to April when the area is hot, and sometimes even uncomfortably humid, but also lush with greenery as the seasonal rains flood the landscape and bring new life to it.
Due to the explosion of vegetation, wildlife viewing may be slightly more challenging although the burst of colour, the arrival of offspring and the return of migratory birds means there is always something fascinating to see.
What makes the off-season particularly attractive to many is that there are fewer tourists around, allowing for a more intimate and secluded safari experience.
Travellers can also enjoy greater flexibility in accommodation options and may even benefit from discounted rates at the most luxurious lodges and camps.
However, it’s essential to be mindful of the occasional afternoon showers (which are often pretty spectacular) and the increased presence of insects during the wet season. Nevertheless, with proper preparation and an adventurous spirit, the off-peak season is a golden opportunity to see the Delta.
Selecting your Okavango Delta Accommodation
There is nothing quite as rejuvenating and relaxing as quiet evenings in Africa, and the Okavango Delta does not disappoint.
Although the Delta is a long way from urban towns and even further away from bustling cities, some of the accommodation available here is nothing short of luxurious.
When selecting the perfect accommodation in the Okavango Delta, travellers have a myriad of options that cater to a wide range of preferences and budgets.
Luxury lodges include opulent tented suites overlooking the Delta, complete with lavish amenities and world-class service. These lodges provide an indulgent retreat in the wilderness, where guests can unwind in style after their adventures.
For those seeking a more intimate and authentic experience, rustic bush camps nestled in secluded locations will bring those who stay here closer to nature. These camps often provide simple yet comfortable accommodation, allowing travellers to make the most of the sights and sounds of the Delta.
Both the luxury tented lodges and the secluded bush camps are ideal places to stay for those on honeymoon or just wanting to bond as a couple. There are few experiences as romantic as staying in a remote place within the Delta, especially if you are the sort of couple who enjoys being out in the wild together.
For the adventurous at heart, mobile tented camps are also available and they offer a flexible safari experience, allowing guests to explore different areas of the Delta while still getting to enjoy the comforts of a cosy tented suite.
Some of the most popular Okavango Delta accommodation includes:
- Mombo Camp: Renowned for its luxurious tented suites and exceptional up close wildlife sightings, Mombo Camp offers a five-star safari experience right in the very heart of the Delta.
- Vumbura Plains Camp: Situated on a private concession, Vumbura Plains Camp boasts stylish and spacious suites, complete with panoramic views of the Delta’s floodplains.
- Little Vumbura: Offering an intimate and exclusive setting, Little Vumbura provides guests with the opportunity to explore the Delta’s interesting habitats on foot, by mokoro, or on game drives.
- Duba Safari Camp: For a more rustic and authentic experience, Duba Safari Camp has comfortable tented accommodation as well as safari activities led by expert guides.
- Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp: Nestled on its own island within the Delta, Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp features elegant tented suites and offers a range of water-based activities, including boat safaris and fishing excursions.
- Jacana Camp: Known for its secluded location and intimate atmosphere, Jacana Camp provides guests with a peaceful retreat amidst the Delta’s pristine wilderness.
Short on time? Book a Quick Getaway
A trip to the Okavango Delta is a holiday that you don’t want to rush and ideally, you would set aside a week or more of your time to explore every island, reeded channel, and meandering waterway.
But life doesn’t always play out how we would like it to and some time spent in this magnificent place is better than no time at all.
Although you won’t see it all in a day, there are tour operators offering day trips into the area.
Day trips and short stays offer a unique opportunity for travellers with limited time to experience a small piece of the natural wonders of the Okavango Delta.
These compact packages are designed to maximise every moment, ensuring that even a brief visit leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re seeking a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or simply looking to squeeze in a memorable adventure during a layover, day trips and short stays provide the perfect solution.
With a range of activities available, from guided game drives and boat safaris to birdwatching excursions and cultural encounters, there’s no shortage of opportunities, whether you have a few hours or a couple of days to spare.
One popular day trip option is the helicopter safari. From above, the labyrinthine channels and floodplains make for the most spectacular views, giving you a unique viewpoint of the Delta that few others get to see.
From the helicopter, you will gain a deep understanding of the Delta’s vastness, spotting wildlife and scenic vistas that are inaccessible by other means. Whether it’s a short scenic flight or an adrenaline-pumping aerial adventure, a helicopter safari is perfect for a day trip.
Another great way to see part of the area on a day trip is to book a guided bush walk or canoe safari.
Led by experienced guides, these intimate excursions offer a chance to get up close and personal with the Delta’s flora and fauna, away from the noise and crowds of traditional game drives.
With every step, or paddle, you will get to see the hidden gems and secret corners of the Delta, from tranquil lagoons teeming with birdlife to lush islands dotted with ancient baobab trees. Whether you have a few hours or a couple of days to spare, a bush walk or canoe safari is a wonderful way to see the raw beauty of the Delta.
Practical Tips for your Okavango Delta Safari
Now that you have all of the basic information for choosing an Okavango Delta trip, we need to talk about the practical information that will make your trip run safely and smoothly.
Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your Delta adventure:
- Choosing the Right Transportation: Depending on your preferences and your budget, you can explore the Delta by land, water, or air. Your options include guided game drives, mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) excursions, boat safaris, and scenic flights. Remember, most Okavango holidays are packaged trips, meaning your transport will generally be included.
- Packing Essentials: When packing for your Delta adventure, be sure to include essentials such as lightweight and breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a wide-brimmed hat, and a refillable water bottle. You should also bring a camera and binoculars to see and capture the incredible wildlife and scenic landscapes.
- Respecting Wildlife and Nature: The Okavango Delta is a protected UNESCO wilderness area, and home to an impressive wildlife population. Always maintain a safe distance from the animals and follow the guidance of your guide to ensure your safety and to minimise disturbance to the ecosystem.
- Staying Hydrated and Sun Safe: Botswana’s climate can be intensely hot, with the average temperature hovering around 29.5 C to 35 C in summer, and 19.8 C to 28.9 C in winter. While on tour stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and by staying in the shade during the hottest hours to avoid sunburn and heat exhaustion.
Responsible Travel Practices: As a responsible traveller, it’s important to reduce your environmental impact as much as possible during your stay in the Delta. You can do this by disposing of waste properly, respecting local customs and traditions, and by supporting conservation efforts by choosing eco-friendly accommodations and tour operators.