Okavango
Northwestern Botswana, at the edge of the Kalahari Desert
About
Spanning between 6,000 and 15,000 km² (up to 2 million hectares during peak floods), the Okavango Delta forms where the Okavango River fans out across flat Kalahari sands. This alluvial fan creates a unique system of permanent marshes, seasonal floodplains, and palm-studded islands. Water from the Angolan highlands arrives during Botswana’s dry winter, sustaining one of the world’s richest concentrations of wildlife. The delta’s Moremi Reserve, on its eastern edge, is central to conservation efforts. The Okavango was named one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders and features exceptional opportunities for mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions, fishing, photography, and eco-lodge tourism.
Wildlife
The Okavango hosts over 200,000 large mammals during the annual flood, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, lechwe, and sitatunga. With over 400 species, birdlife is astonishing—herons, egrets, Pel’s fishing owl, and African fish eagle abound. Iconic predators include lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas. Deep channels shelter crocs and tilapia, while water-loving antelope graze the floodplains. The seasonal pulse creates an intricate food web and unique wildlife viewing throughout the year.
Booking
This experience is operated by Hyperlocal Safari. Please contact our safari experts to reserve a game drive, travel package, and add-on experiences here.
