Safari Odyssey

Okavango – the Dream Delta Destination!

Deep within the Kalahari Basin and often referred to as the ‘jewel’ of the Kalahari, is a unique pulsing wetland known as the Okavango Delta. In this desert, it is remarkable that this alluvial fan, the Delta, is there at all!

The Delta owes its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River which flows from the Angolan highlands, across Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and into the harsh Kalahari Desert. It is spectacular, unique, and one of the best African safari destinations known to man.

It is also home to an incredible wildlife population, but this is just one of the reasons it is Okavango – The Dream Delta Destination!

Interesting facts

The Okavango Delta was the 1000th site to be included UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014. It is seen as a vital wildlife area because it is protected by both the Moremi Game Reserve in the East and many wildlife concessions within Ngamiland.

The Delta covers between 6 and 15 000 square kilometres of Kalahari Desert in northern Botswana and every year the Okavango River discharges approximately 11 cubic kilometres (1.1 × 10¹³ litres) of water into the Okavango Delta.

Little wonder that a Mokoro (a small dugout canoe) makes the perfect mode of transport. It is the best way to experience the wonder and beauty of this place, and you can spend as much time watching birds and wildlife from a canoe as you do on dry land.

The Wildlife

The Okavango Delta is renowned for its superb wildlife, with a huge population of mammals and wonderful birdlife too, particularly in the breeding season. During the wet season (the African summer) many of the larger wildlife move away from the Delta to the lush grazing areas that surround it.

A myriad of wildlife species are found within the Delta including all the ‘Big 5’ – those creatures usually deemed to be the hardest to spot. These include the Elephant, Buffalo, the now endangered Rhino and the big cat predators, Lion and the elusive Leopard.

Also, excellent viewing in the wet areas are the Hippopotamus and Nile crocodile – and Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena – and a myriad of antelope species can be seen on the drier plains.

The Okavango Delta also supports over 500 species of birds and 85 recorded species of fish – this is in fact both a Fisherman’s and Photographer’s paradise!

Exciting experiences

Cruising in a Moroko with a clear blue sky above and the shining waters of the Delta shimmering below. The scene is so tranquil the silence is cut only by the shrill cry of the famous African Fish Eagle as it soars above, seeking its supper.

Thrilling day and night adventure safari drives are a must. Surprises abound around every corner, and the click of cameras will be all you hear as you silently watch a pride of Lions feeding at a kill. As you drive through the veld, the wind strokes your hair, and you experience a sense of freedom and adventure you may never know again.

You can walk amongst the creatures of the bushveld too on a guided safari walk. This is a chance to also experience the flora and tiniest creatures that inhabit this wonderland. You’ll learn so much from expert safari guides who tell the secrets of the local inhabitants and relate their own ‘bush’ stories.

Up, up and away, you view the wild herds running over the plains and the inhabitants of the Delta going about their business from the vantage point of a hot air balloon. This, together with hikes, boat cruises and adventure activities, all make up the wide range of exciting experiences that this exceptional place offers to those who choose to explore it.

Camps and lodges

There are a number of camps and lodges available of excellent quality and diverse in their offerings. Those we recommend are:

Eagle island lodge; Jao camp; Mombo camp; Vumbura plains; Xaranna Okavango delta camp and Xudum Okavango delta lodge.

We at Safari Odyssey, are an established, experienced, expert African safari tour guide operator who can take you not only to this magnificent water wonderland but many other famous Botswana destinations too, like The Chobe National Park, the Central Kalahari game reserve and many more.

Contact us today and check our website for everything you need to know about our full range of superb African destinations and unforgettable experiences. Okavango is the Dream Delta Destination, but Africa has so much more. Let us take you there!