The Okavango Delta is a huge inland delta fed by the Okavango River in Botswana and special because it is one of few deltas
in the world which do not flow into a sea or ocean. During its seasonal highest flood level, it creates one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and there are several ways to explore this magical place.
Source: www.nationalgeographic.com
The best time to visit the Okavango Delta is between May and October. In these dry winter months animals are concentrated around the dwindling water sources. Additionally, the risk of malaria is the lowest during this time and there is near to no rain. For bird watchers the summer months best to visit as the migrants spend their time in the Okavango while it is cold elsewhere.
If you stay at an Okavango Delta lodge a Mokoro experience is most likely included in your stay. A guide will take you on a trip of the inner parts of the Delta using a traditional mokoro boat. This has the advantage of reaching parts which bigger boats can’t reach and not disturbing the wildlife and getting closer to it.
Animals likely to encounter are elephants, crocodiles, hippos, African fish eagle, and red lechwe
Using a bigger motorized boat, you will be able to cover greater distances and see more wildlife in total. On a motorboat the perspective is different to the Mokoro as the seating position is higher, the engine will however scare some animals away.
Animals likely to encounter are herons, bee-eaters, kingfishers, reed frogs, and kingfishers.
In case you don’t like boats there is another solution to get up close to the Deltas wildlife, a safari game drive. A guide will take you on a tailored tour through the delta in a suited offroad vehicle. There is also the option of afternoon drives continuing into the night, allowing to spot nocturnal animals.
Animals likely to encounter are hippos, antelopes, leopards, cheetahs, lions, red lechwe, zebras, elephants, African wild hog
A helicopter flight over the delta allows to see spots that are simply not reachable in any other way. The most down to earth way, however, is to take a guided walk in the Delta, this way you will get up close with traditional tracking and survival techniques as most tours are guided by members of one of the five ethnic groups which have lived in the region for thousands of years.
