Cape Archives Tours | Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta - Africa’s Unspoiled Oasis

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a vast inland wetland spanning 15,000 km², teeming with wildlife. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers unique safari experiences, including mokoro trips, game drives, and walking safaris. Home to elephants, lions, leopards, and hippos, it’s a pristine paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Highlights

The Okavango Delta is a stunning wetland ecosystem offering unique safari experiences and incredible wildlife encounters. Mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris glide through serene waterways, revealing hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife, while game drives showcase elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and endangered wild dogs. The delta also shelters the elusive sitatunga antelope, adapted to its swampy terrain. Walking safaris provide an intimate bush experience, while boat cruises and fishing trips add to the adventure. The best time to visit is during the seasonal floods (May–October), when wildlife gathers in abundance. Luxury lodges and remote camps offer exclusive stays, enhancing the wilderness experience. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is a premier destination for those seeking an unspoiled, water-based safari.

Getting there

The Okavango Delta is primarily accessed by air, with charter flights from Maun, Kasane, and occasionally Gaborone. Maun serves as the main gateway, offering regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Windhoek. Charter flights land at remote airstrips near lodges, providing quick access to camps deep in the delta. Self-drive options are available but challenging, with 4x4 vehicles required to reach Moremi Game Reserve on the delta’s eastern edge. Other areas necessitate guided transfers or fly-in options. Boat transfers are available in select locations. Seasonal flooding can make some roads impassable during peak flood months, from May to October. Booking flights and accommodations in advance is essential, as the delta’s exclusive lodges and camps have limited capacity and high demand.

What You Need To Know

Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is best visited from May to October when wildlife is most concentrated. Activities include mokoro safaris, game drives, and walking safaris. Access is mainly by charter flights, though some areas allow self-drives. Luxury lodges and camps provide exclusive stays. Malaria precautions are recommended, and park fees apply.

Okavango key facts

The Okavango Delta, spanning 15,000 km² in northern Botswana, is a unique wetland ecosystem home to elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and hippos. Activities include mokoro safaris, game drives, and walking safaris. Best visited from May to October, it’s accessible via charter flights from Maun and Kasane or 4x4 routes to Moremi.

Location

Northern Botswana

Size

15,000 km²

Wildlife

Elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles

Activities

Mokoro safaris, game drives, walking safaris, boat cruises

Best time to visit

May–October

Accessibility

Charter flights from Maun and Kasane, 4x4 access to Moremi

Okavango Delta Weather

Best time to go

May - Oct

The best time to visit the Okavango Delta is from May to October, during the dry season, when floodwaters create a vast wetland teeming with wildlife. Game viewing is at its peak, and mokoro safaris are ideal. The rainy season (November–April) offers lush landscapes but can limit accessibility.

January

32.5°c

February

32.4°c

March

31.4°c

April

29.7°c

May

27.3°c

June

24.9°c

July

24.5°c

August

27.8°c

September

31.6°c

October

33.8°c

November

33.6°c

December

32.8°c

Okavango Delta Wildlife

The Okavango Delta is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, and rare species like sitatunga antelope. Birdwatching is exceptional, with over 400 species. Mokoro safaris and game drives offer incredible close-up encounters with these animals in their natural habitat.