The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's finest safari destinations, attracting birding, fishing and safari enthusiasts. The region includes a number of small luxury fly-in lodges and camps, providing a truly unique, unspoiled and un-crowded safari experience. Wetlands are surrounded by savanna, providing a natural refuge for a vast and diverse population of wildlife. Each year, the cool crystal waters rise as floodwaters from Angola seep into the delta, providing a new dimension to the Okavango Experience.

PRIVATE SAFARI CONCESSIONS

Botswana’s passion for the conservation of its wilderness safari reserves resulted in a policy of low density tourism. Simply translated, large private concessions within the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve pursue their own passion for conservation, hosting small intimate safari camps for tourists. They offer a private and pristine wildlife safari experience. Guests can spend an entire day out in the bush with their safari guide and tracker and hardly encounter another soul. What makes this area even more exciting is not only the game drive but the opportunity to view wildlife from a mokoro (dug out canoe) or by boat. Off-road tracking of wildlife on day or night safaris provides the ultimate safari experience. Walks (at the discretion of the camp manager) are available and provide guests with an intimate sense of the bush.

NEIGHBORING WILDLIFE RESERVES

Botswana’s Chobe and Linyanti Game Reserves are famous for their large herds of wildlife, elephants and predators. The reserves are truly diverse with varied habitats of marshes, waterways, riverine forests, dry woodlands and the Savuti Channel, dry since 1980, now serving as a refuge to many of Africa’s wildlife species. The Linyanti Game Reserve is quite different to the Okavango Delta because of the inclusion of the grassy Savuti Channel, the Linyanti River and woodlands of the interior.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS

The Delta is a natural paradise for the wildlife photographer. The intense contrasts between seasons provide endless year-round photographic opportunities.

THE SEASONS

A Botswana safari in January and February is hot and wet, but by March the rains have subsided and the air is drier. Water is plentiful and wildlife disperses across the vast savannas, actively breeding and feeding in anticipation of the dry season ahead.

By May the rains have stopped and herds of elephant, buffalo and other wildlife congregate close to sources of permanent water. The grasses, now dry and brown, make it easier for predators to stalk their prey in their camouflage of sandy-color coats.

In June and July the flood waters arrive in the Okavango Delta from Angola. Grasses are lower, providing excellent conditions for viewing wildlife. Nights are mild and days are pleasant and warm. More and more animals start to congregate around permanent sources of water and mokoro canoe and boat safaris provide an exciting experience.

Towards September the water levels start to drop, marking the start of nesting season for herrings, storks and other birdlife. In this dry season, there are few trees or long grasses to hide the wildlife and game viewing is excellent.

November brings much needed rain to quench the thirst of the flora and fauna. Mothers eat their fill of the new grassy shoots to gain strength to feed their young. It is a busy time too for the predators.

Our itineraries recommend options to visit the other neighboring Botswana reserves. Chobe Game Reserve is home to the largest elephant herds in Africa. The Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, can be reached by air charter or scheduled flights from Maun, the safari capital of Botswana.