Okavango Delta
The months in gold are when the weather, the crowds and the prices work out best.
The Okavango Delta is worth visiting for its unique wildlife density and quiet water-based safaris. Plan your trip between June and September to ensure the floodwaters have arrived. Most travelers should set aside four to five days to experience the changing landscape.
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Four to five days is enough to see two different camps in different areas.
You take a small bush plane from Maun airport directly to your lodge's private airstrip.
You do not buy individual tickets as park fees are bundled into your lodge booking.
Light aircraft transfers between camps are mandatory and often cost as much as a night in a lodge.
The reality of the water
You will spend much of your time on a flat-bottomed boat or a traditional dugout canoe called a mokoro. These allow you to move silently through narrow channels of reeds. You see elephants and hippos from a very low perspective, which feels much more intimate than viewing them from a high vehicle.
The water levels change every year based on rainfall far away. A lodge that was surrounded by water last June might be on dry land this year. Do not expect consistent boat access at every camp throughout the season.
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Why timing matters
The water arrives in the interior months after the rains fall in Angola. The peak flood usually hits the central delta during the dry winter months of June, July, and August. This is when wildlife congregates near the water sources, making them much easier to spot.
If you visit during the summer months from November to March, the water is often gone. The heat becomes extreme and the mosquitoes are much more active. Stick to the winter dry season for the most reliable wildlife viewing.
The logistics of the bush
Most lodges are located on remote islands accessible only by air. You will likely land on a dirt strip in a small bush plane. Once you land, you stay within the confines of your specific concession, as there are no public roads connecting these camps.
Everything is included in your stay because you cannot leave to find other food or services. This means your daily costs are fixed and high. You are essentially paying for the total isolation and the logistical challenge of bringing supplies into the swamp.
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Light aircraft transfers between lodges are often mandatory and very expensive.
The daily figure is an estimate and does not include flights. The exchange rate is real, and it moves once a day, not by the second.
The background
The Okavango Delta or Okavango Grassland is a vast inland delta in Botswana formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough at an elevation of 930 to 1,000 m (3,050 to 3,280 ft) in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari Desert. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the few interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is largely intact. Instead, the floodwater spreads over sandy floodplains and islands, and a large share seeps downward into the shallow alluvial aquifer beneath, before it is taken up by plants. Nearly all the water reaching the delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired. Each year, about 11 km3 (2.6 cu mi) of water spreads over the 6,000 to 15,000 km2 (2,300 to 5,800 sq mi) area. Some flood waters drain into Lake Ngami. The area was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that had mostly dried up by the early Holocene. The Moremi Game Reserve is on the eastern side of the delta. The delta was named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, which were officially declared on 11 February 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania. On 22 June 2014, the Okavango Delta became the 1000th site to be officially inscr
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Questions people ask
Is the delta safe to visit?
The area is generally safe if you follow your guide's instructions. You are in a wild environment with large predators, so you must stay within your camp boundaries at night.
Do I need malaria medication?
Yes, the entire region is a high-risk zone for malaria. Consult a doctor before you leave to get the appropriate prescription.
Can I drive myself there?
You can drive into the Moremi Game Reserve, but you cannot reach the private concessions where most lodges are located. A 4x4 vehicle with high clearance is required for the public tracks.
Is the water clean enough to drink?
Do not drink water from the delta. Lodges provide filtered or bottled water for all guests.
How much should I budget per day?
Expect to spend at least 500 USD per person each day. This covers your accommodation, meals, and activities, but excludes the expensive bush flights.