An Ultimate Travel Guide to the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Priya Johnson
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is Botswana’s most wildlife-rich area that exists in the Kalahari desert. This inland wetland system is known for its unique water-based safari and exotic flora and fauna.
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What is the Okavango Delta?
Okavango delta is a unique ecosystem comprising of lots of tiny islands (over 1,50,000).
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It’s one of the few inland delta systems, that is an oasis in the desert and doesn’t join the sea. Instead, it branches out gradually and percolates into the sandy plains of the Kalahari Basin.
This wetland system receives its water source from the annual rains and seasonal flooding of the Okavango River. New channels are constantly forming here.
Interestingly, the size of this delta varies according to the season. In the dry season, it covers 6000 kms, while during the flooding or monsoon season, the delta swells up and covers 15,000 kms.
What’s Unique about Okavango?
Okavango’s nutrient-rich environment is conducive to a thriving wildlife population.
The permanent marshlands and ideal habitat is what makes the delta home to a high concentration of wild animals, birds, and insects.
Unique Delta Experience
There are different means to explore the delta. You can opt for game walks, game drives, water safaris, etc. You can also opt for a bird-watching tour or a photography safari.
The Delta offers both simple and luxurious tented safaris to suit different budgets and experience expectations.
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Water Safaris on Mokoro Canoe
The best way to explore the delta’s diverse environment is by going on a guided water safari in the authentic Mokoro Canoe.
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These canoe trips enable you to reach the most untapped portions of the Delta by taking you along the winding waterways.
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Motorized Boats
Besides traditional canoes, you can also opt for the motorized boats that take you close to the animals, enabling you to see them in their natural habitat.
Wildlife Diversity
This unique ecosystem is home to 400 species of birds, 155 species of reptiles, 160 species of mammals, 99 different species of dragonflies, and all kinds of colorful insects.
The Delta is filled with the beautiful chorus of insects and bird calls.
Explore the Delta
Whether you’re on a game walk or a water-based safari, you will get to see elephants, lions, black and white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, kudus, impalas, antelopes, etc.
Exotic species like the endangered wattled crane, Pel’s fishing owl (only fish-eating owl), etc. are also the highlights of this region.