Okavango DeltaAn Okavango Delta safari is an experience of a lifetime. It must be ranked in the top 5 safari destinations in Africa, if not in the top 2 (along with the Serengeti). The scenery, wildlife, untouched wilderness and variety of safari experiences, make the Okavango unique. Fed by the Kavango River coming out of Angola, this area is often called the Okavango Swamps. But "swamp" does not do justice to these crystal waterways, so shallow and clear that one can see small fish fleeing the shadow of your makoro, or dugout canoe. Rich in wildlife, Okavango is nevertheless not recommended as a gameviewing destination. This is partly because the wildlife is skittish, sections of Okavango being hunting concession areas, but also because one is usually at water level, with game invisible behind tall papyrus reeds. Birdlife, however, is spectacular.
he Okavango Delta is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Situated in the middle of the Kalahari desert it covers an area of 15000 square kilometers, effectively making it the biggest oasis in the world. It is home to a huge variety of birds and wildlife, and of course has plenty of fish. It is known mainly for its excellent tiger fish fishing and its superb bream fishing.
The Okavango Delta is a unique ecosystem of papyrus-lined waterways, knee-deep floodplains, water-lily lagoons, shady forest glades and rich savannah grasslands. The Okavango Delta is a fragile ecosystem and it remains one of Africa's most unspoilt and authentic wilderness areas. It consists of a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels covering an area of over 17,000 square km and the largest inland delta in the world. It is surrounded by the parched Kalahari sands so is a magnet for the wildlife that depends on the permanent waters of the delta.
The Kavango river flows into northern Botswana from the Angolan highlands. Here the river fans out into what is effectively a huge evaporation pool, known as the Okavango Delta. This is a superb protected habitat and without doubt one of Africa's greatest natural resources. There are over fifty camps in Okavango, so choosing between them can be quite mind boggling. In this section the lodges are arranged area by area vast 1.6 million hectares of the Okavango Delta "concessions" as they are called in Botswana, one in the permanent water of the Delta itself and the larger Kwando concession in the far north famous for its large elephant herds and predator sightings. Private charters from Johannesburg can prove very economical (and fun) for parties of four people or more. You can begin your safari with us in Victoria Falls and travel through to Botswana, or vice versa. The process of renewal and the many habitat types found in the Okavango Delta enable it to support a remarkable number and diversity of life forms, among them 164 species of mammal, more than 400 of bird, 157 of reptile, 84 species of fish and over 5,000 different insects. Which time of year is best to visit The Delta? However, the wetter periods during the rainy season (December through March in the Delta) offer spectacular highlights which should not be overlooked. Photographically and aesthetically, the colors of the Delta are far richer with the lush green growth everywhere and the dramatic and sometimes stormy skies in the background. Additionally, many of the herbivores such as the Impalas typically have their babies during the rainy season to take advantage of the abundance of nutritious grasses for the young to feed on after weaning. During the rainy season, there are literally babies everywhere and, naturally, many are preyed upon by the major predators as well, offering ample opportunity to see more lions, leopards and cheetahs and wild dogs to name a few. The best time for game viewing in the delta is during the May-October period, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out. The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season (Nov.- April) as the migrant bird populations are returning and the plants are flowering and green. Safari activities by water are the primary speciality of the Okavango - the mokoro - a dug out canoe which is 'poled' along by your Guide is the most evocative way of exploring the numerous waterways. Motor launches travel on the main waterways and lagoons.
Jao Concession
Okavango - Permanently flooded zone * Jedibe Island Camp - deep in the northern Okavango, Jedibe is one
of the best camps for water-based activities, renowned for its bird
life Okavango - Seasonally flooded zone * Xugana Island Lodge - sixteen bedded lodge located on the Xugana
Lagoon in the remote northern Okavango
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