The Okavango Delta
As the sun rises over the vast savannah, casting a warm, golden glow on the waterways and lush greenery, you’ll find yourself on the cusp of an epic adventure. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is roughly 16,000 km² (6,178 mi²). It’s been described as a land of liquid landscapes, where the annual floodwaters of the Okavango River transform a parched desert into an oasis of life, a shimmering mosaic of channels, lagoons, and islands teeming with incredible creatures.
As the day unfolds, venture deeper into the heart of the Delta, where every turn of the riverbank reveals a new spectacle. Elephants bathe in the shallows, antelope dart through the tall grasses, and the big cats, masters of stealth, lurk in the shadows. Prepare to be captivated by tales of predator and prey, of survival and adaptation in this dynamic, ever-changing theatre of life.
When the sun sets, the magic continues. Gather around a crackling campfire under the African night sky, where stories of the day’s encounters come to life in the flickering shadows. The rhythm of the crickets and frogs and the haunting calls of the wild become your lullaby as you drift off to sleep in a luxurious tent, where the sounds of nature serenade you through the night.
Best Time To Visit The Okavango on a safari
Our top tip, May is an absolutely amazing month to enjoy a safari in The Okavango. The weather is awesome and it is quieter. Plus, it is a great month to plan safaris to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia
Animals on a Safari in The Okavango
Other destinations that share The Okavango's best months to travel
The ‘Mother City’ boasts spectacular natural beauty, superb accommodation and some of the best beaches in the world! The city’s award-winning food and wine are as good as anywhere else on the planet. From Table Mountain to Cape Point, there is something for everybody.
The oldest proclaimed nature reserve in South Africa. It consists of 960 km² of mountainous landscape, in central KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. The park is one of the very few parks in KwaZulu-Natal where the Big Five can be found.
South Africa’s biggest and best-known national park is home to the country’s greatest diversity of wildlife. Kruger’s real draw is an almost guaranteed encounter with the super-celebrities of the safari circuit: Africa’s iconic Big 5. You can expect sightings all year round.
This reserve encompasses an impressive 286 km² (110 mi²) of protected wildlife land. It offers some of Africa’s finest game viewing experiences, as well as 436 bird species. The reserve is particularly well known for close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare black rhino.
This is a vast area of pristine wilderness located in the north of Botswana. The entire area is superb for elephants. There are a few rival prides of lion and this is also an excellent area for spotting the elusive leopard and rare wild dog.
This most famous park in Zimbabwe provides a haven for 107 mammal species and more than 400 recorded types of birds. If it’s elephants you want to see (there are between 45,000 and 60,000 living in Hwange), then this is the place. Hwange is most commonly combined with Victoria Falls.
Kafue National Park covers a massive 22,400 km². It remains little-known and largely unexplored with vast tracts of its virgin bush still untouched. Thanks to its size and variety of habitat types the it holds a fantastic diversity of wildlife. The Busanga Plains is famed for its prides of lions.
Lake Kariba is famous for its ghost-like trees that seemingly float on the water. It offers remarkable natural beauty protected by some of the finest nature reserves on the planet and it hosts an abundance of wildlife. Its creation provided perfect conditions for wildlife to thrive.
Mana Pools is considered one of the prettiest reserves in the world. Its location near the Zambezi River gives it large pools that support an amazing collection of wildlife. Canoe safaris, a terrific way to see animals. It’s also one of the best places in Southern Africa to see endangered wild dogs.
The Falls, traditionally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘the Smoke that Thunders’, are the largest in the world when you combine their height and width. Fed by the Zambezi River, they provide all sorts of adventures like visits to Livingstone Island, swimming in Devil’s Pool on the precipice, and sunset cruises.
Why is The Okavango so expensive?
The Okavango Delta is often considered an expensive destination for quite a few reasons. The main ones are its unique combination of remote location, limited accommodations, conservation efforts, exclusive activities, high-quality service, conservation fees, and seasonal demand. While it may be expensive, many of our travellers consider the experience of exploring this pristine wilderness and encountering its incredible wildlife to be well worth the investment.
This is one destination where the phrase “you pay for what you get” is so true.
The Best Okavango Delta Safaris
Okavango & Linyanti Safari (Victoria Falls Add-On)
Okavango Delta and Kalahari Safari
Zebra Migration Safari
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