Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta Overview

The Okavango Delta offers a truly tranquil experience of untouched Africa. Tucked within a country known for its conservation efforts, the Okavango Delta has an array of preserved plants, birds and wildlife; untamed and unspoiled.

The majority of the area is protected within the Moremi Game Reserve and enjoys preservation of the area’s precious ecosystems, eco-tourism and controlled hunting and photographic tourism projects.

The delta eco-system is home to rare wildlife; crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo and wattled crane can be seen along the delta banks.

A cruise down the delta will see you through reed-lined channels, floodplains, water-lily lagoons, forest glades and rich savannah grasslands on a wildlife and birdlife viewing journey.

The area is huge for birding, with a wide variety of water bird ranging from stork to fishing owl, mixed with the tranquil green setting of the surrounds; the Okavango Delta can easily be described as a bird paradise.

The local tribal groups include Hambukushu, Dxeriku, Wayeyi, Bugakwe, Xanekwe with 78% of the population speaking Setswana, even though the official language of the area is English.  

Highlights & Places in Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest delta. Running through the middle of the Kalahari Desert, the delta serves as the predominant source of water for the birds and wildlife that inhabit Botswana.

The Okavango Delta exists because water from the Okavango River in Angola overflows into Botswana and creates hundreds of channels, lagoons and waterways which cover over 17 000 kilometres of land. This is the Okavango Delta.

On its downward flow through the dry Kalahari Desert, the body of water makes for the most amazing game viewing as wildlife flock to the delta-side to quench their thirst.

The best way to experience the surrounding wildlife and wilderness is on a plane safari; getting a view from the top, or on a makoro cruise; drifting down the crystal clear waters of the swamp land. 

Best Time to Visit Okavango Delta

When to Go

If you’re going for the game viewing, the best time to go is between May and October. Wildlife are thirsty and meet up around waterholes. Between these months its Botswana’s dry season which means vegetation is dried out and grass is flatter; making it easier to see wildlife.

In November to April, birds and vegetation thrive in the area’s rainy season with birds returning from their migration and plants bursting with rich colour.

Getting There & Getting Around

Getting To Okavango Delta

Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta; an area which conveniently has an airport. Take a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, into Maun International Airport and from there you can either take a 4x4 drive to your destination or a private airplane to your camp, if it has an airstrip.

Getting Around Okavango Delta

When you arrive in Okavango Delta your transport options include plane, 4x4 and Makoro.

Traveling by plane means you get to witness the vast wilderness from a birds’ eye view, whereas a 4x4 drive or Makoro cruise give a far more personal experience of the surrounding nature. 

Okavango Delta Tips : Know Before You Go

ATMs:
The nearest large city, Maun, has a number of ATMs. There are no ATMs on the Okavango Delta.

Forex/Money:
It’s best to carry local currency, Pula, with you because most of the camps don’t accept travelers cheques or US dollars.

Credit/Debit cards: 
Credit cards are only accepted at the larger camps.

Internet availability: 
Out of approximately 40 accommodation venues along the Okavango Delta, less than a handful offer internet access.

Drinking water: 
It is advised that you drink bottled water which will be available in every camp. 

Hospitals & Medical: 
General health care quality and availability in Botswana’s bigger cities (Gaborone, Maun, Francistown) are of a high standard, however in the rural areas, medical assistance is poor. Visit your doctor 4-6 weeks before your trip departure and enquire about medical vaccinations and inoculations required for the area.

Visa Requirements:
Most country’s citizens will not be required to organise a visa before entering the country but will need a valid passport as well as confirmed return tickets. 

Okavango Delta Map