Considered to be one of the ecological wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta encompasses a wide diversity of wildlife habitats including lagoons, channels, grasslands, woodlands and palm-fringed islands.
Each year the waters flood, usually between May and September, before receding again, and the wildlife has adapted itself to these seasonal changes. You can expect to see lechwe, sitatunga, reedbuck, bushbuck, hippo, crocodile, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and tsessebe. Predators – including lion, hyena, wild dog, leopard and cheetah – have also adapted to life in the delta, as have many smaller creatures.
The range of bird life is simply staggering, the channels and rivers are home to kingfishers, pygmy geese, fish eagles, jacanas, darters and the elusive Pel’s fishing owl, plus many, many others.
There are a large number of camps within the greater Okavango Delta area, each within a National Reserve or Private Reserve, known locally as a concession. Each camp and reserve is unique, with its own specialities in terms of habitat and wildlife. The activities offered will reflect this; some will be more water-based and others more land-based, depending on the location.
One of the highlights of a visit to the Okavango Delta is to glide silently through the sparkling waterways and channels in a traditional wooden dugout canoe – a mokoro – the means of transport used by local Tswana people for centuries. Noiseless mokoros are perfect vehicles for tracking the elusive and shy sitatunga, the many birds and other animals of the Delta.
The best way to experience the delta to the full and see its remarkable contrasts is to stay at two camps with contrasting locations and different activities.
Ideal for viewing: hippo, Nile crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, tsessebe
Where: Northern Botswana, Botswana
Wildlife trips
This
wildlife location
is featured in the following itineraries:
Flying from camp to camp is one of the most exciting ways to experience Botswana’s stunning wilderness. From the rich vistas of Savuti-Linyanti, to the stunningly beautiful Moremi Game Reserve and the renowned Okavango Delta, this trip includes safaris by vehicle, on foot and by mokoro (canoe).
Find out more about Wings Over Botswana
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 11 days
from £5,795
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
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Journey through Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to observe southern Africa’s iconic wildlife in some of the continent’s finest national parks. Starting at the magnificent Victoria Falls, highlights include excursions in Hwange, Matobo, Moremi, Chobe and the serene Okavango Delta.
Find out more about African Adventure: Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia
Destination: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia
Price
(inc. flights): 17 days
from £5,095
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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Escape to one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations, Botswana, during its lush green season. Explore the incredible bird and mammal rich wetlands, grasslands and woodlands of the Moremi Game Reserve and Mababe Private Reserve on our immersive and comfortable mobile camping safari.
Find out more about Birds & Mammals of Botswana
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 9 days
from £4,495
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
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This 37-day comprehensive itinerary, which visits no less than seven countries, delivers the ultimate African safari experience and a wealth of contrasts. Travel to some of Africa’s best National Parks and stay in a range of classic lodges, hotels and tented camps on this wildlife trip of a lifetime.
Find out more about Classic Africa Explorer
Destination: Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
Price
(inc. flights): 37 days
from £16,495
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
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In the Green Season the arrival of the summer rains transforms the dry land into verdant pastures dotted with wild flowers. At this time of plenty, there is no shortage of food, so many species choose to bring their young into the world, attracting the unwanted attention of various predators.
Find out more about Green Season Secrets
Destination: Botswana, Zambia
Price
(inc. flights): 16 days
from £7,495
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
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Join expert photographer Emma Healey on this single base holiday to one of Africa’s top wilderness destinations in green season. Staying at a comfortable lodge located in one of the most photogenic regions of the Okavango Delta we are well-placed to enjoy a wealth of iconic African wildlife.
Find out more about Heart of the Delta Photo Safari
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 10 days
from £7,350
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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This small group trip incorporates prime wildlife areas, starting in the Okavango Delta, one of the ecological wonders of the world and home to predators such as lion, hyena, wild dog and leopard. Continuing on to Chobe National Park, you will find here one of Africa’s highest remaining concentrations of wildlife.
Find out more about Highlights of Northern Botswana
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 13 days
from £4,595
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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Explore some of Botswana’s finest wildlife destinations during the scenic splendour of the green season as the arrival of the rains brings the landscape to life. As the arid plains are rejuvenated, large herds of herbivores gather to graze on the grasslands, followed by a host of predators, including hyena, cheetah and lion.
Find out more about Kalahari in Bloom
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 12 days
from £8,995
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
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The Okavango Delta is a photographer's playground and on this 12-day trip we explore two of the region's famed wildlife locations. A combination of day and night drives along with vehicle, walking and mokoro safaris offers a wealth of photographic opportunities and a host of images to add to our portfolios.
Find out more about Okavango Delta Photo Safari
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 12 days
from £8,195
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
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Join wildlife photographer and film-maker Neil Aldridge on this Okavango Delta photography safari in search of the wildlife that floods into the Kalahari with the rainwater carried by nearby rivers. Enjoying vehicle safaris, mokoro trips and night drives, there are plenty of photographic and video opportunities on offer.
Find out more about Okavango Photography in Style with Neil Aldridge
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 12 days
from £13,145
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
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This 18-day group tour focuses on the elephant hotspots of Namibia and Botswana, followed by a night at the world-famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Explore a variety of landscapes from desert to coast and grassland to wetland, to marvel at southern Africa's beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.
Find out more about On the Trail of Elephants
Destination: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe
Price
(inc. flights): 18 days
from £4,545
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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This Botswana photography safari offers a unique glimpse at the seldom seen locations of Kalahari, Nxai Pan & Okavango Delta in the company of photographer and film-maker Neil Aldridge. On this trip we witness the return of Africa’s second largest migration, as thousands of zebra migrate to the heart of Botswana.
Find out more about Z) Kalahari to Delta Photo Safari with Neil Aldridge
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 12 days
from £9,995
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
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This complete Okavango Delta safari combines the unique wilderness experience of luxury mobile camping with the comfort of an intimate private lodge. In the company of expert guides we’ll explore on foot, by mokoro and through game drives, encountering some of the finest wildlife on the continent.
Find out more about Z) Okavango Delta Safari
Destination: Botswana
Price
(inc. flights): 12 days
from £7,695
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
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Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
Built on one of the most beautiful islands in the Okavango Delta, this luxurious tented camp is located in the private Chitabe Concession, and consists of eight spacious East African style tents built on elevated wooden decks, beneath a lush tree canopy. A pool allows guests to cool off in the heat of the day.
Find Out More about Chitabe Camp
This small, intimate camp stands on a wooded island within a large private concession. One of the Okavango Delta’s most remote properties, Duba Plains consists of six roomy tents, each with an en suite bathroom, outside shower and verandah offering panoramic views of the floodplain.
Find Out More about Duba Plains
The private concession of Gomoti Plains, in the Okavango Delta, is home to a new exclusive camp of ten luxury tents (including two family tents), raised on wooden decks overlooking the Gomoti River system. Due to open in April 2017, this camp offers great comfort for an enthralling wildlife experience.
Find Out More about Gomoti Plains Camp
With just five tented suites, the intimate Gomoti Tented Camp lies at the heart of the private Santawani Concession, in the south-east corner of Botswana's Okavango Delta. The camp’s remote setting coupled with its early explorer style design gives the sense of wild camping.
Find Out More about Gomoti Tented Camp
Situated in the private Jao Concession on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Jao Camp is the ultimate in luxury. Each of its nine unique canvas and thatched rooms has been individually hand crafted and has a private sala offering wonderful views of the surrounding flood plains.
Find Out More about Jao Camp
Situated in a private concession in the Okavango Delta, Kwara is a luxury camp bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Each of the nine en suite tents is raised on teak decking and guests can spend time on their private balconies watching the animal and birdlife in the hippo-filled lagoon.
Find Out More about Kwara Camp
On the eastern side of the Okavango Delta in the wildlife rich Khwai area, Machaba Camp offers classic accommodation in ten luxury tents. Camp activities include game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve, as well as excursions by mokoro in the maze of waterways forming part of the Delta.
Find Out More about Machaba Camp
Mma Dinare Lodge is located in a private concession on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The camp has nine en suite tents with views of the Gomoti River and surrounding landscape frequented by birds and other wildlife. The camp has a contemporary style with modern solar technology, a bar, lounge and pool.
Find Out More about Mma Dinare Lodge
One of the oldest lodges in the Okavango Delta, Nxamaseri Island Lodge has a unique rustic charm. Its remote location, surrounded by indigenous forest, supports a wealth of remarkable birdlife, including African fish eagle, Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmer and western banded snake eagle.
Find Out More about Nxamseri Island Lodge
This camp is located on Pom Pom Island in a private wilderness concession at the heart of the Okavango Delta, on the western boundary of Moremi Game Reserve. Accommodation is in nine luxury safari-style tents with views of Pom Pom lagoon, and the camp offers a true Okavango wilderness experience.
Find Out More about Pom Pom Camp
Situated in the private Vumbura Concession in the north of the Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains consists of two satellite camps overlooking a vast floodplain. The spacious tents have a large bedroom, indoor and outdoor showers, plunge pool and a ‘sala’ from where you can watch the passing wildlife.
Find Out More about Vumbura Plains Camp
One of the best ways to experience Botswana’s wealth of world-class wildlife habitats is by mobile camping safari. Bush Lark Mobile Tented Camp brings your accommodation and meals to you, allowing you to spend as much time as possible looking for the special wildlife of the Okavango Delta, Khwai Concession and more.
Find Out More about Bush Lark Mobile Tented Camp