Okavango Delta

What are the best experiences on an Okavango Delta safari?

See the Lion and Buffalo interactions from Duba Plains, an extraordinary sight rarely seen anywhere else in Africa, or spend an afternoon in a mokoro canoe as your guide paddles you along the waterways searching for the rare fishing owl. At Abu Camp become part of their elephant herd as you walk through the bush with these immense creatures, and enjoy watching herds of antelope such as the red lechwe as they make their way through the floodwaters - a spectacular sight. Many camps are now offering the chance to take a helicopter trip above the Delta - this is a wonderful chance to get a totally different perspective and see just how vast the network of channels and floodwaters is from the air. The Delta offers some fantastic mobile safari options where you can walk from camp to camp or even canoe, spending nights camped out on islands beneath the stars, an amazing way to enjoy your Botswana Okavango Delta safari.

When should I travel on an Okavango Delta safari?

The Delta is famed for its water levels and water-based activities, however, paradoxically, the water levels are inversely proportional to the rainfall in the Delta, as the floodwaters come from the far-off highlands of Angola. The rainy season, running from November to April, sees a handful of camps close for a few weeks, but this is still a great time for a safari. Plains game give birth to their young meaning the predators are never far away, and it is a spectacular time of year for birding as well.

Between June and October the rains recede, floodwaters arrive and the Delta transforms from its dry state to a huge floodplain, interspersed with islands and dry areas. Game viewing is at its best and you can enjoy a huge range of activities, although it can get very hot towards the end of the dry season.

Africa Travel’s top tips for an Okavango Delta safari

Even if you are travelling in the rainy season when water levels tend to be lower, there are still some safari camps in the heart of the Delta where you can enjoy water-based activities. During this season many Okavango Delta safari lodges offer reduced rates and it is still a wonderful time to be in the Delta, especially for birding enthusiasts. A six-night or more stay at a combination of Eagle Island Camp, Savute Elephant Camp and Khwai River Lodge will entitle you to a free 35-minute helicopter trip over the Delta.

The right accommodation for your Okavango Delta safari

Wherever you’re planning to visit for your Botswana Okavango Delta safari, Africa Travel will make sure you stay in comfortable and luxurious accommodation that is tailored to your requirements. Our dedicated staff listen to each of your needs and preferences before recommending the best Okavango Delta lodges for you, which is always based on their own personal experiences.

The vastness of the Delta means that there are many different styles of Okavango Delta lodges to choose from, with them being loosely grouped as follows. "Dry" camps tend to focus solely on game drives and walking, with "wet" camps further into the Delta offering activities such as mokoro canoe safaris, fishing, motorboat trips and guided walks. There are also "mixed" camps that offer a bit of both, but these do tend to be more seasonal and are dependent on water levels.

The camps we recommend do depend on your interest and how you want to enjoy your game viewing, whilst there are some camps that offer very specific game viewing experiences. Duba Plains, for instance, offers guests the chance to see the lion hunting buffalo, as featured on the National Geographic series "Relentless Enemies", whilst birding enthusiasts are drawn to camps such as Xigera to see the resident Pel's fishing owl. Those on limited budgets might like to plump for the great value Oddballs Camp or Gunns Camp, whilst keen walkers should head for Footsteps Camp, and five-star safari connoisseurs will feel right at home at Mombo Camp, Jao Camp or Vumbura Plains. Many of the camps in the Delta are also sited on private concessions, meaning a truly wild safari experience, uninterrupted by other vehicles and visitors.

Why book your Okavango Delta safari with Africa Travel?

With over 30 years’ experience in creating dream trips to Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise your Okavango Delta safari than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your Botswana safari and as all of our staff have travelled the continent themselves you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the holiday you have always dreamed of. We even have staff living in Africa to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. Our years of knowledge mean that we can give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best time of year to go on safari, the best safari camps or lodges to stay at, and the best African safari guides, experts and tour guides to assist you.