All You Need to Know

About the Okavango Delta

Jump to Sections

• A Living Miracle in the Desert
• Geography and the Seasonal Flood
• When to Visit
• Wildlife of the Delta
• The Mokoro Experience
• Activities in the Delta
• Where to Stay
• Conservation in the Okavango
• Insider Tips for Travelers
• Beyond the Delta
• Why the Okavango Matters
   

A Living Miracle in the Desert

Each year, water journeys from the Angolan highlands, traveling over 900 miles (1,448 kilometers), and spills gently into the Kalahari sands of Botswana. Instead of reaching the sea, the river breathes life into a vast inland fan of lagoons, channels, and islands. The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland deltas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Africa's most extraordinary wildernesses.

The Okavango is a contradiction and a marvel. It is a desert and a wetland, a refuge and a wilderness frontier. In full flood, it expands to three times its size, transforming dry savannah into a shimmering mosaic of waterways and islands. Its survival depends on the seasonal rise and fall of water, a rhythm that has shaped life here for thousands of years.

For those searching for a safari with a little more adventure than a daily game drive, Botswana's Okavango Delta is frequently the destination of choice. Its acclaim as a fascinating destination, thriving with life and with a distinctly individual landscape, has long been celebrated. This has established the Okavango as a superb safari option and also inspired the ecologically sound development of a portfolio of luxury lodges and camps.

Formed over 50,000 years ago, the Okavango is one of the world's approximately 10,000 deltas, yet it remains truly unique. Although the waterways are the primary attraction, game drives are also abundant, and neighboring reserves, such as the Makgadikgadi, extend the variety of landscapes and experiences.

Despite its popularity, the Okavango is vast, yet lightly developed, with only a handful of properties scattered across riverbanks and private islands. This preserves intimacy and exclusivity, assuring you exceptional service in settings that feel wonderfully secluded. Encounters with other visitors are rare, allowing the luxury of lingering as long as one wishes at a sighting or in a moment of stillness with the wildlife.

Geography and the Seasonal Flood

The Okavango Delta covers more than 5,800 square miles (15,000 square kilometers). Its lifeblood is the Okavango River, fed by rains in Angola that take months to reach Botswana. When they arrive, usually between May and July, the delta swells dramatically, drawing wildlife from miles around. By August and September, the channels are at their fullest, creating a spectacular stage for safaris.

Unlike most river systems, the Okavango has no outlet to the ocean. Its waters seep slowly into the desert sands or evaporate into the sky. This landlocked nature is precisely what makes the Okavango so rare and precious, a true oasis in the midst of the Kalahari.

When to Visit

The Okavango can be visited year-round, but the experience shifts dramatically with the seasons.

April and May

April is a wonderful time to be on the water, especially in the northern and western reaches, where motorboat and mokoro trips reveal rising channels. This is when the floodwaters begin to arrive, spreading across the sands and giving life back to the plains. By May, as the last surface water evaporates from the Kalahari, wildlife is drawn to the delta in increasing numbers. Clear skies and crisp mornings make this one of the most rewarding times for safaris. Predator sightings may not yet be at their highest, but skilled trackers and guides reveal remarkable encounters at any time.

June

With each passing week, the waters expand further and the bush thins, making predator sightings easier. June offers a balance of activities, and both water and land safaris are at their best. The floodplains are full, mokoro journeys glide through flooded grasses, and game drives encounter both plains game and the big cats that follow them. As this is a sought-after month, it is wise to plan well in advance.

July to October

The floodwaters reach their fullest, spilling into the Kalahari and sustaining life across the delta. Wildlife concentrations are at their peak, and endangered African wild dogs are more frequently seen in the northern concessions. In August, thousands of herons, storks, and egrets arrive to begin nesting, creating a spectacular season for birders. The famous catfish run also occurs at this time, an extraordinary feeding frenzy that draws both fish and predators.

September and October are renowned for exceptional predator sightings, especially in Moremi Game Reserve, as waterholes outside the delta dry and animals travel vast distances to reach the permanent waters.

November 

The first rains return, bringing relief from the dry season heat. These showers transform the landscape, greening the plains and heralding the birth of antelope calves. This abundance of new life attracts predators, making for dramatic encounters.

December to March

The heart of the rainy season brings lush landscapes, dramatic skies, and fewer visitors. Afternoon storms are frequent and spectacular. While wildlife is more dispersed, the bush is alive with migrant birds and newborn animals. The delta feels fresh and renewed, with game viewing rewarding for those who appreciate a quieter, more atmospheric safari experience.

Wildlife of the Delta

The Okavango is one of Africa's most diverse and rich ecosystems. More than 200,000 large mammals, 400 bird species, and countless smaller creatures depend on its waters. Elephants arrive in significant numbers, often seen wading chest-deep in the channels. Herds of red lechwe, sable, and roan antelope graze on the floodplains. Zebra, giraffe, buffalo, and wildebeest follow the grasses, while predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog move in their wake.

The delta is also a sanctuary for rhino, carefully reintroduced in recent decades as part of Botswana's conservation success story. Hippo wallow in the deeper lagoons, crocodiles patrol the banks, and troops of baboon and vervet monkeys watch from the trees.

For bird lovers, the Okavango is paradise. Pel's fishing owl, wattled cranes, African skimmers, and the lilac-breasted roller are among the highlights. The floodplains become a kaleidoscope of wings, from giant marabou storks to delicate kingfishers.

The Okavango provides a vital life source for a wealth of wildlife across the food chain. Birds migrate here to nest among tall reeds, elephants find nourishment and delight in wallowing, while zebra, wildebeest, and countless antelope species graze on the fresh grasses. In turn, the predators thrive on this abundance. One of the delta's greatest appeals lies in its confluence of land, water, and air, three worlds converging to create extraordinary encounters. From a boat, one might watch elephants drinking, hippo wallowing, and crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks. On a game drive, familiar sights of lion, zebra, or antelope are transformed by the presence of water, with cubs splashing at their mothers' heels and herds galloping through the shallows, spray flying skyward.

Although the Okavango is a year-round destination, its seasons offer distinct experiences. The wet months from November to March, while lush and beautiful, can disperse the wildlife. As the rains fade in April, animals are drawn inward to the permanent waters, and by the height of the flood season, life congregates around the channels in remarkable density. The skies, too, become alive with color, from storks and hornbills to the vividly colored lilac-breasted roller, making this a spectacle for birders and safari enthusiasts alike.

For photographers, the delta's perspectives are irresistible. From a mokoro or boat, the view is eye-level with antelope, hippo, and crocodile, allowing compositions that capture both drama and intimacy. The almost silent passage of a mokoro allows for a closer approach to wildlife than in a vehicle, providing moments of stillness and proximity that few other safaris can offer.

The Mokoro Experience

To glide across the still waters in a mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe of the Bayei people, is to experience the Okavango at its most intimate. The gentle push of the pole, the quiet lap of water, and the chorus of birdcalls create a rhythm unlike any other safari.

From this low vantage point, you are eye level with dragonflies, lilies, and the watchful eyes of hippo just beyond. The silence allows close encounters with animals that might shy away from vehicles. Mokoro safaris today are often conducted in fiberglass replicas, which protect the ebony and sausage trees once used to carve the originals; however, the feeling remains timeless, a connection to both nature and tradition.

We asked Travel Designer Storm Keen to describe a mokoro journey in just three words. Her reply was simple yet evocative: "tranquil, immersive, and scenic." Few descriptions capture the essence of this timeless experience more perfectly.

Activities in the Delta

Game Drives

A safari in the Okavango would be incomplete without game drives. Vehicles venture across islands, floodplains, and grasslands where prides of lion, solitary leopards, and vast herds of antelope are found. Guides interpret the landscape with skill, reading tracks in the sand and noting the subtle calls of birds to reveal hidden wildlife. Unlike other safari regions, water crossings often punctuate the journey, creating dramatic moments as zebra and buffalo move across shallows or elephants wade with their calves in tow. Each drive brings a sense of unpredictability and discovery, with the ever-changing mosaic of habitats ensuring that no two outings are alike.

Boat Cruises

As the sun dips low, the waterways glow with a golden hue. Boat cruises trace these winding channels, drifting past papyrus beds where kingfishers dart and crocodiles bask on sandy banks. The stillness of the water reflects towering palms and endless skies, creating a painter's palette of color and light. Champagne in hand, travelers watch hippo pods rise and submerge, their grunts carrying across the water. The pace is unhurried, allowing guests to absorb the landscape in a way that feels both tranquil and deeply connected to the rhythms of the delta.

Walking Safaris

Some camps offer opportunities to step away from vehicles and discover the smaller wonders of the bush. Walking safaris reveal the intricacies of termite mounds, medicinal plants, and animal tracks that tell stories of nocturnal wanderings. With an armed guide leading the way, each step sharpens the senses: the rustle of grass, the scent of wild sage, the distant call of a fish eagle. It is a slower, more intimate way to experience the wild, where every detail adds texture to the broader canvas of the Okavango.

Fishing

The Okavango is renowned among anglers for its formidable tigerfish, known for their strength and speed. Catch-and-release fishing excursions offer the chance to test your skill against this legendary species, alongside bream and catfish. Guides provide both expertise and local knowledge, ensuring the experience is as much about the setting as it is about the catch itself. Casting a line against a backdrop of reeds and distant elephant is as thrilling as the fight that follows when a tigerfish strikes.

Helicopter Flights

For a perspective that captures the full scale of this inland wonder, a scenic helicopter flight is unforgettable. From above, the delta unfolds as an ever-changing mosaic of blue channels, emerald floodplains, and sun-drenched islands. Wildlife movements become visible in their entirety, herds threading through the water, elephants leaving trails across the grasses, and flocks of birds rising in unison. Pilots often land on remote sandbanks for champagne picnics, giving guests a chance to experience the grandeur of the delta in complete solitude.

Cultural Encounters

The human history of the Okavango is as rich as its wildlife. Encounters with the BaSarwa people and other local communities reveal traditions that have endured for generations. Guests may learn about basket weaving and join in traditional activities. To glide across the still waters in a mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe of the Bayei people, is to experience the Okavango at its most intimate. The gentle push of the pole, the quiet lap of water, and the chorus of birdcalls create a rhythm unlike any other safari.

Lesser-Known Experiences

Travel Designer Storm Keen often reminds us that while game drives, boating, and mokoro journeys are the core of the Okavango experience, other adventures are waiting to be discovered. Walking safaris bring focus to the details often overlooked from a vehicle. Scenic photographic flights offer bird's-eye perspectives that are ideal for capturing the delta's grandeur. Horseback safaris enable skilled riders to move quietly among wildlife, blending seamlessly into the herds and experiencing the thrill of the bush from the saddle. Photographic hides offer unparalleled opportunities to observe elephants at water level or capture close-up images of shy species undisturbed. For those seeking a night of wonder, sleeping out under the stars on raised platforms or open decks offers an unforgettable communion with the wilderness, the calls of lion and the chorus of frogs serenading the night. For photography tips while on safari, you can also read our blog on capturing remarkable images in the wild.

Where to Stay

We select lodges specifically according to our clients' wishes, with some better suited to specific demographics or desires. Every property we recommend has been personally visited and assessed by our team to ensure it meets the Rothschild standard, offering exceptional guiding, authentic atmosphere, and service that makes every stay feel both polished and personal.

Duba Plains Camp

Duba Plains combines the spirit of a classical tented safari with contemporary luxury. Set in a private reserve renowned for its wildlife, this camp offers front-row encounters with lion, buffalo, and elephants moving across the floodplains. Each suite features its own plunge pool and shaded veranda, providing guests with a secluded retreat to relax between game drives and mokoro outings. For Rothschild travelers, Duba Plains represents a balance of refined comfort and raw wilderness, where the experience remains as intimate as it is unforgettable.

Jao Camp

Positioned on its own island in the heart of the delta, Jao Camp offers exclusivity at its most considered. Inspired by nature, its architecture evokes the shapes of bird nests and ancient trees, creating a retreat that feels both contemporary and organic. With private villas, butlers, and chefs, Jao delivers a deeply personalized stay that is always grounded in its setting. From spa treatments between activities to wildlife viewing from private decks, Jao embodies the type of place we know our guests appreciate: seamless service, spectacular design, and a profound sense of place.

Tuludi

Tuludi rests within the Khwai Private Reserve, an area of expansive floodplains and ancient leadwood trees. Its treehouse-style rooms are suspended above the ground, each with a wide deck and a plunge pool that overlooks endless wilderness. Game drives here reveal predator-rich landscapes, while mokoro trips glide through lily-dotted waterways. The camp's thoughtful design and gentle atmosphere make it an excellent choice for those seeking both adventure and quiet retreat. As with all our recommendations, Tuludi reflects the Rothschild promise: authenticity, exceptional comfort, and access to some of the delta's most remarkable wildlife experiences.

Wherever one stays, it is never only about the property itself. It is about how Rothschild Safaris curates the journey, matching the right camp with the right traveler, and ensuring every detail contributes to a seamless and memorable experience.

Conservation in the Okavango

The delta is a conservation stronghold. It provides water to over one million people, supports the world's largest population of African elephants, and shelters endangered species, including the cheetah and wild dog. Yet it is not without threats. Human activity, upstream water use, and climate change all place pressure on its delicate systems.

Among the most significant efforts to safeguard the region is the Okavango Wilderness Project, led by a coalition including National Geographic. This ambitious initiative is dedicated to mapping, studying, and protecting the Okavango River Basin, which stretches across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. Research teams have documented hundreds of previously unknown species, monitored wildlife movements, and collaborated with local communities to promote sustainable practices. Their work emphasizes that protecting the delta is inseparable from supporting the people who live along its waterways.

Insider Tips for Travelers

For those drawn to adventure, Travel Designer Storm Keen often recommends a mobile safari. Without the hardwood structures of a permanent lodge, you feel completely immersed in the wilderness, close to the rhythms of the delta itself. These journeys are led by some of the region's most seasoned guides, ensuring that the experience is both insightful and authentic.

For guests who prefer a little more comfort, private concessions offer the perfect balance. Here, you can enjoy both land and water-based experiences, from mokoro journeys to game drives, before adding something unforgettable, a helicopter flight with the doors removed, providing open-air views of the delta's intricate waterways. Many camps also offer the opportunity to sleep out beneath the stars, surrounded by the sounds of Africa at night.

Beyond the Delta

Travel Designer Storm Keen often suggests pairing the Okavango with other remarkable regions of Botswana, each revealing a different side of this diverse country. Her recommendations include meeting the San Bushmen and spending time with meerkats in the salt pans, seeking out desert-adapted species in the Kalahari, witnessing the zebra migration along the Boteti River or across the salt pans when the rains arrive, and embarking on a multi-day walking safari in the Linyanti.

Chobe National Park

Chobe is celebrated for its immense elephant herds, some of the largest gatherings anywhere in Africa. The Chobe River forms the lifeline of the park, drawing animals in astonishing numbers, from buffalo and sable antelope to prides of lion. River cruises reveal hippo pods and crocodiles, while game drives explore woodlands and floodplains alive with a variety of birds. For those who enjoy a different perspective, houseboats glide gently along the river, offering sundowners as elephants wade across channels. With its diverse habitats and accessibility, Chobe is a natural complement to the Okavango.

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

The Makgadikgadi is a stark, otherworldly landscape, a great expanse of ancient salt where horizons stretch endlessly. Here, meerkats stand alert at the entrance of their burrows, and San guides share stories passed down through generations. During the dry season, the Boteti River is home to one of the largest zebra migrations in Africa, a dazzling spectacle of movement and dust. When the rains arrive, the salt pans transform into shimmering lakes, drawing flamingos and waterbirds by the thousands. Nights here are extraordinary, sleeping out under a dome of stars with no tents or nets to interrupt the view.

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Bordering Namibia, the Linyanti is one of Botswana's most remote and rewarding reserves. Its marshes, woodlands, and river corridors are home to thriving populations of wild dog, elephant, and big cats. Birdlife is exceptional, from carmine bee-eaters nesting in the riverbanks to raptors circling above. For those seeking adventure, a multi-day walking safari offers a slower-paced exploration of the wilderness, guided by expert naturalists who interpret every track and call. Seclusion here is profound, with very few camps and vast wilderness stretching in every direction.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

In contrast to the waterways of the north, the Central Kalahari is a desert wilderness of immense scale. This is the ancestral land of the San people, whose knowledge of survival in such an arid environment is extraordinary. Vast plains dotted with acacia host springbok, oryx, and giraffe, while cheetah use the open expanses to their advantage in the chase. During the brief rains, the desert bursts into life, with carpets of flowers and concentrations of game at temporary pans. For travelers, the Central Kalahari offers both stark beauty and a deeper appreciation of Botswana's contrasts.

Together with the Okavango, these regions create a multifaceted journey, weaving wetlands, desert, migration, and cultural heritage into a story only Botswana can tell.

Why the Okavango Matters

The Okavango Delta is more than a destination. It is a living, breathing miracle, a reminder of nature's resilience and fragility. To be here is to witness Africa in its purest form: elephants crossing flooded plains, lions hunting in shallow waters, fish eagles calling above papyrus reeds.

For every guest we have guided to the delta, the experience has left an indelible impression. It is wild yet refined, raw yet deeply moving, and always unforgettable.

Talk to one of our Travel Designers and let us craft your own story in the Okavango, where water and wilderness meet in timeless harmony.