Luxury safari in the Okavango Delta

andBeyond Xudum Lodge

Botswana sets the standard for low density, low impact tourism in Southern Africa and the Okavango’s luxury lodges are some of the very best in the world. There are wonderful tented camps and lodges in every corner of the Delta, many so elaborate and beautifully constructed that it’s hard to imagine how they were built at all. Situated in some of the Okavango’s most remote, secluded regions they often seem to grow organically, directly from the earth. Ecological construction and management practices are a hallmark of many lodges and most use timber and other natural materials to blend in as much as possible. Depending on the lodge and the time of year, you may gaze out onto vast, open, game-rich plains, or sit high on stilts over an endless, lapping lagoon.

Highlights

Every part of a luxury Okavango safari is a highlight in itself. From the moment you fly in over the lush, elephant-dotted floodplain, to the lodge’s stunning tented suites, the tranquil mokoro trips, the food. Days are spent exploring the Delta, often by boat which adds an extra special twist. And at night the lodges come alive with the soft light of glowing lanterns for an evening of fine dining under the African stars. The Okavango’s lodges are known for exceptional service, and private guides and bespoke activities are the norm. June to August is usually the best time for water-based activities and September and October are more suited to wildlife viewing.

Travel tips

Most of the Okavango’s luxury camps are small and intimate, which also means that space is limited and the popular camps tend to fill up fast. If you’re looking to visit during peak season especially (June to October), then consider making enquiries about a year in advance. If you’re undecided where to go, then try splitting your time between two different camps – perhaps three or four days near deep water for motorboat and mokoro trips and another few days in a drier area for game drives. Moving between camps involves planning and some precision, but there are plenty of established tour companies that have the logistics well in hand. It’s usually best, both in terms of practicalities and price, to book everything through a single operator rather than try to arrange your itinerary yourself. Fly-in safaris can vary in price considerably, from $600 a night for a luxury mobile safari, all the way up to over $3000 a night at a top luxury lodge. April, May and November are more affordable times to travel, while there’s still good weather across the Delta, but substantial discounts are available.

Maun in Okavango Delta

Region explained On the south-eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, straddling the banks of the Thamalakane River, the bustling frontier town of Maun serves as the gateway to northern Botswana. If you’re on a fly-in safari, you’ll likely not leave the airport, instead making a quick change of planes before winging off into the central Delta. Those arriving by vehicle, however, usually…

Family safari in the Okavango Delta

An African safari is an unforgettable experience for kids, but long transfers and hours in the car can be a real challenge, especially for younger children. One solution is to pick a single camp or more manageable area and avoid daily travel as much as possible. In the Okavango Delta, this approach is ideal because there’s such a high concentration of wildlife and activities in such a…

Chiefs Island in Okavango Delta

Region explained Chief’s Island was once the private hunting ground of the local Chief Moremi, but was incorporated into the wider Moremi Game Reserve in 1976. Roughly 60km long and 10km wide, the island is only accessible by boat or, more usually, by light aircraft, to one of the very few high-end luxury lodges and mobile camps that operate on the island itself. Day boat trips and…

Okavango Delta in December

December marks the start of the rainy season proper. It’s the second wettest month of the year and afternoon thunderstorms become increasingly regular and violent. As the rains intensify the dusty atmosphere clears and between the storms the skies are bright and fresh. The usual pattern is a few days of cloud and rain, followed by another few days of hot, sunny weather. This builds and…

Moremi Game Reserve in Okavango Delta

Moremi Game Reserve covers the central and eastern edges of the Okavango Delta and is one of Botswana’s most famous parks. In the central region, dominated by Chief’s Island, a couple of beautiful luxury lodges provide fly-in safaris to one of the most pristine wildlife havens in the world. East of Chief’s Island, a roughly triangular wedge incorporates expansive mopani and riverine…

Southern Okavango Delta

Region explained The southern Delta can be divided into six main concessions, three smaller regions to the north and three larger areas further south. To the north, NG27A, NG27B and NG31 are so far north they’re practically central, sitting just off Chief’s Island along Moremi Game Reserve’s fenced southern border. When the floodwaters arrive much of this area is underwater and the…

Popular Okavango Delta Safaris

These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates