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Okavango Delta
A river that never reaches the sea: the Okavango spreads into a maze of channels, lagoons and islands full of wildlife.
Botswana
Maun (MUB)
1 flight, or road via Kasane
Mokoro trips, wild dogs, floods
Where is the Okavango Delta?
The Okavango Delta is in north-western Botswana, in southern Africa. The Okavango River rises in the highlands of Angola, flows south-east through Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, and then fans out into the Kalahari Desert instead of reaching the sea. This creates one of the world’s largest inland deltas. The gateway town is Maun. The Delta became UNESCO’s 1,000th World Heritage Site in 2014.
How big is the Okavango Delta?
The permanent swamps cover around 6,000 km², and the seasonal floods can push the wetland past 15,000 km². That’s a landscape of papyrus channels, lagoons, floodplains and thousands of islands, many of them created by termite mounds.
How to visit the Okavango Delta on a budget, or in style
Budget: mokoro camping trips from Maun. You’re poled into the Delta in a traditional dugout canoe, camp on an island in dome tents and explore on foot with a local poler-guide. Mid-range: classic tented camps on the Delta’s edge, reached by road or boat. Premium: fly-in luxury camps on private concessions, with game drives, boating and mokoro trips, and light-aircraft transfers over the water.
Wildlife in the Delta
Elephant, buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard and red lechwe live here, and the Delta is one of the best places in Africa to see African painted dogs. Yes, there are Nile crocodiles in the Delta. Mokoro routes are chosen by experienced polers to stay in shallow, safe channels. More than 400 bird species have been recorded.
What to see and do
- Mokoro excursions with local polers
- Island camping under the stars
- Game drives and guided walks
- Scenic flights over the Delta
- Painted dogs, leopard and red lechwe
Best time to visit Okavango Delta
The flood arrives in the dry season. It usually peaks from June to August, which is the best time for mokoro trips and game viewing. September and October are hot with excellent wildlife. The green season (November to March) brings newborn animals, storms, superb birding and lower rates. See how to get from Victoria Falls to the Okavango Delta.
How to get there from Victoria Falls
From Victoria Falls, drive via Kasane and Chobe, or fly to Maun (MUB) and connect to camp by light aircraft or road. Budget mokoro trips start from Maun with a road transfer to the mokoro station.
Gallery
Okavango Delta: questions answered
Where is the Okavango Delta located in Africa?
In north-western Botswana, in southern Africa. The Okavango River flows in from Angola and spreads into the Kalahari.
How do you get from Victoria Falls to the Okavango Delta?
Either by road via Kasane (Chobe) and Maun, or by flying to Maun and connecting by light aircraft. We arrange both.
How can I visit the Okavango Delta on a budget?
A mokoro camping safari from Maun is the most affordable way. You get traditional dugout canoes, island camping and walking safaris.
Are there crocodiles in the Okavango Delta?
Yes. Nile crocodiles live in the deeper channels. Polers stick to shallow channels, and guides brief you on water safety.
Plan a trip to
Tell us your dates and travel style (budget, mid-range or premium) and we’ll send a plan.
Tours to Okavango Delta
8 Day Okavango Delta, Chobe & Victoria Falls
From the Falls to the Delta: Chobe’s elephants, then light-aircraft flights into the wild heart of the Okavango.
Victoria Falls · Chobe · Okavango Delta
9 Day Botswana Explorer: Chobe, Salt Pans, Okavango & Moremi
The big Botswana road trip: Chobe’s elephants, meerkats on the salt pans, mokoro in the Delta and the predators of Moremi.
Victoria Falls · Chobe · Elephant Sands · Makgadikgadi
10 Day Zimbabwe & Botswana Grand Safari
The complete journey: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Chobe and the Okavango Delta. Four icons in ten days.
Victoria Falls · Hwange · Chobe · Okavango Delta
Your African adventure starts here
Tell us your dates and what excites you. We’ll reply with a plan, prices and availability, usually within a few hours.
Victoria Falls tours, activities and Southern African safaris, planned by a local team in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
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