Okavango Delta

The Okavango is a river that never reaches the sea. Rising in the highlands of Angola, it flows southeast into Botswana and spreads across the flat sands of the Kalahari, forming one of the largest inland deltas on Earth: a shifting mosaic of papyrus-lined channels, lagoons, floodplains and islands crowned with palms and fig trees.

Its rhythm is remarkable. Rain that falls in Angola in the southern summer arrives months later, so the Delta is at its fullest in the middle of Botswana's dry season. In 2014 it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Life between land and water

Wildlife here has adapted to a world that is half land, half water. Red lechwe splash across the floodplains, shy sitatunga hide in the reed beds and elephants wade between islands. Lions, leopards and African wild dogs hunt across the drier islands and woodlands, while hippos and crocodiles fill the channels. Birdlife is spectacular, from African fish eagles and bee-eaters to the elusive Pel's fishing owl.

Ways to explore

Water-based camps focus on mokoro excursions, silent journeys in traditional dugout canoes (today often made of fiberglass) poled by local guides, as well as motorboat trips and catch-and-release fishing. Land-based camps, often on the Delta's edges or in the Moremi Game Reserve, offer game drives, night drives and guided walks. Many camps combine both, depending on water levels, and scenic helicopter flights reveal the Delta's patterns from above.

Private concessions

Much of the Delta is divided into large private concessions, each with only a few small camps, some leased from local community trusts. This low-density model means sightings are rarely shared and the wilderness feels truly wild.

How we plan the Delta

We usually recommend at least three or four nights, ideally split between a water camp and a land camp, with light-aircraft flights in between. Our Okavango & Victoria Falls journey combines the Delta with Chobe and the falls, and we'll tailor it to your season and budget.