Before visiting the Okavango Delta – one of Africa’s most remarkable and breathtaking destinations –
it’s key to get to know it a little better. To understand its physical makeup, seasonal changes and what
makes it unique. This in turn will help you plan timing, choose your accommodations and plan your
travel logistics.
Ancient history & unique geography
Unique, miraculous and awe-inspiring, the Okavango Delta is the product of millions of years of
continental shifts – which has resulted in a rift valley system. The delta consists of permanent
marshlands and seasonally flooded plains, with the floodwaters arriving during the dry season,
impacting the local flora and fauna.
Unlike traditional deltas, the Okavango’s is an interior delta system that doesn’t flow into the ocean – its
waters evaporate and seep into the ground within the Kalahari basin. Deservingly this marvel of nature
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The only constant is change
The annual flooding is a pivotal event for the Okavango Delta, with crucial waters arriving from Angola
months after local rains to replenish the groundwater and support the ecosystem during the dry
season.
Months after the January rains fall in the Angolan highlands, and funnel down through the Okavango
Panhandle, they reach the Delta finally in March. Once they arrive, faced with flat terrain and no
obstacles, they gradually fan out across the delta, creating channels, lagoons, and islands, influencing
the landscape and habitats. The timing of the floods is predictable, allowing plants and animals to
synchronize their biological cycles with the seasonal inundation.
Beautiful biodiversity
The delta’s diverse habitats, shaped and sustained by the annual flood waters, support a wide array of
species, making it a crucial area for biodiversity conservation. And it’s renowned for its exceptional
plant, bird and wildlife – both its numbers and also the variety of species.
From the Big Five to all manner of other mammals and magnificent birdlife, it’s a true oasis. Botswana’s
government has sought to highlight this aspect of the country and in order to preserve the remarkable
biodiversity, has implemented considerable conservation efforts, including limits on tourism and
development, to protect the delta’s ecosystems and the life they contain.
Again, due to the shifting landscape and the presence of both land and water, it boasts some of the
most varied safaris in Africa with a great range of activities on offer including walking safaris, riding
safaris, mokoro safaris, boating safaris, balloon safaris, helicopter safaris and more.
Access, timing & planning
The Okavango Delta is at its best in the months that follow the rain falling, from around May to
September. This is when the skies are clear and temperatures are mild (or even cool in the evening in
June and July).
This ‘dry season’ is when the waters are at their highest. And this also corresponds with high season and
higher prices. While wildlife viewing is generally good year-round, the dry season offers the best
opportunities to see animals congregating around water sources, while the green season (November-
April) is ideal for birding and enjoying lush landscapes. All of this means that the shoulder season
months of May and June can be excellent months to visit, with good weather and lower prices.
Most camps and lodges are accessed by small charter flights from Maun or Kasane, as the Delta is
remote.