The Okavango Delta is one of the most amazing safari destinations in Africa, it is home to fantastic wildlife sightings, an incredible annual flood and some incredibly diverse and beautiful scenery. Add to this the great guiding and some of the most luxurious camps in Africa and it can be hard to beat.
The Okavango Delta can be split broadly into two areas, the Moremi Game Reserve which is a public reserve but has one of the best known and most luxurious camps (Mombo Camp), it is also home to the famous Chiefs Island which comes into its own when the rest of the delta is in full flood. Generally this area is busier than the concessions but it is also home to a few of the better value camps and is right in the heart of the Delta, with some incredible waterways for Mokoro safaris.
The Concessions are private game reserves that surround the Moremi Game Reserve and make up the Okavango as we know it for safari purposes. These are areas of land that are set aside for those that are staying within them and therefore offer some of the most exclusive safaris in Africa. Each has a different feel due to its location, the camp and the company that runs the camps.
Camps in the Delta area can been classified as a dry, wet or mixed camp, although in reality the percentages vary depending on the time of year and that years flood, it is for this reason and the variety on offer that we recommend at least two stops in the Delta giving you a chance to see and experience different areas.
The waters that flood the Delta each year are the result of the annual rains in Angola to the North West of Botswana. Local rain makes up a fraction of the waters in the Delta and as a result the rains come before the delta starts to fill up. The seasonality and best time of year to be in Botswana and its different locations is quite a complex one, wildlife moves depending on the grazing within the Okavango as well as around the country. Because of these factors it is advisable to speak to someone when trying to put together an itinerary in order to get the best overall experience.
The Botswanan governments long-term approach has been one of low impact, high value tourism in order to protect not only their tourism but more importantly their wilderness areas. This has created a safari destination that is for the most part more expensive than in many surrounding countries. It does, however, mean that sightings are more, if not completely, private and that there is a feeling of being in a remote wilderness due to the lack of other vehicles or tourists, for these reason as well as many others we really love Botswana and just wish we could spend more time here.
As with other destinations, dependant on what it is you are looking to travel for, for example, during the wet season (December-March) brings some fantastic birding and also some incredible special offers. The peak of the dry season (September-October) is the best time to see large herds of Elephants but is also the hottest and most expensive time of year. Deciding what is best for you is slightly more complicated than this but this is where we are able to help, with impartial advice on what, when, where and how.
While it is possible to drive into the Delta this is only ever really done for those on an adventurous self drive itinerary, for most visitors the extensive network of scheduled light aircraft flights is the best way to reach the Okavango Delta and to get from camp to camp.
One of the most fantastic things about Botswana is the range of activities available, each camp, based on its location, offers a variety of activities. The activities available include; Game drives, walking safaris, river safaris, makoro safaris (Canoes), horseback safaris and even quad-biking.
Top Okavango camps
Duba Expedition Camp
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Perfect for an unrivalled safari experience with a fantastic location and a range of activities with great game viewing.
Little Kwara
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Perfect for an experience that concentrates on the safari and wildlife while still offering lovely accommodation and an intimate feeling camp.
Khwai Tented Camp
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Perfect for unrivalled experience for incredible value in the Delta area, you must book early to get space here as it is such a good option for the price.
Little Vumbra
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Perfect for a luxury experience in one of Botswana’s top end camps, a great location for game viewing and one of the biggest operators in Botswana.
Top Botswana itineraries
Botswana Lodge and Mobile
Classic Safari
Duration: 10 nights
Guide price: £3,950