When Botswana’s six-month dry season is over, Rainwater from Angola’s lush hills spills into southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert, setting off an ecological spectacle like no other. The Okavango Delta, a permanent swamp that is surrounded by the continent’s driest areas, doubles in size due to the 2.5 trillion gallons of fresh water. The promise of a fertile floodplain has prompted 200,000 large mammals to return to the Delta, which is now half the size of Massachusetts.
More than 700 species are brought to the floodwaters by more than 700 birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. African fish eagles fly above pride of lions and the largest number of savanna elephants on the continent. As cheetahs chase warthogs and wetlands prowl, wild dogs scout thorn scrub. Between the reeds, papyrus, and hippos lurk Nile crocodiles. For several months, the delta buzzes with life until the floodwaters recede or evaporate into the red desert sands.
The Importance of the Okavango Delta
Although the Okavango Delta is an ever-present wetland, its size changes throughout the year. The Okavango Delta’s basin receives seasonal rains from Angola, which replenishes its permanent marshes. This transforms the area into a huge watery mosaic richly dotted with lotus and papyrus. The delta’s peak area is 15,000 kilometers, which is roughly half the size of Holland.
Water is life. Although the Okavango’s heart is home to large numbers of mammals, the river flows into the delta and brings in the season. The area is home to a large number of zebra, which migrate from the dry east in numbers rivalling the great migrations to east Africa. Impala and Cape buffalo congregate together to take advantage of fresh pasture. Also, there is the red lechwe (one of Okavango’s most iconic species), whose delicate, splayed hooves make it ideal for marshy grazing. Lions follow their prey through thick grass and mopane forests to reach the shallows.
Many safaris in Africa are best viewed from a raised platform like a jeep. But the beauty of the delta is that it allows you to see the wildlife and landscapes in the most intimate and non-obtrusive way possible. The most captivating is the mokoro, a local dug-out canoe.
A poled experience through delta by mokoro is unmatched. The only sound is the cool splash, trickle, and brushing of water as the boat moves. While everyone wants to spot the ‘big five’ on safari, the slow pulling of the boat reminds us that smaller species can also be quite charming, from the hum and flash of a kingfisher to the jewelled dragonfly. The Okavango is an excellent place for bird watching.
From your mokoro, it’s possible to continue your safari on foot, on horseback, or by boat. It’s a completely different experience, with guides pointing out animal tracks and scouting termite mounds before hushing the group to point out a bushbuck or kudu through the thicket. It’s amazing that an elephant as big as you can find can be so still, it almost makes you stumble over a family having lunch in a forest grove.
Best Times to Visit the Okavango Delta
The stunning Okavango Delta is accessible year-round. It all depends on which face you prefer, and the time of your trip. There are 2 distinct seasons that transform the landscape and animal lives tremendously.
From May to October, the dry winter season is the best for wildlife viewing. Although it is dry because there is not much rain, this is when floodwaters from central Angola make their way to the Delta, causing it to grow by as much as three times or more. It usually reaches its maximum mark between July-September.
Large numbers of wildlife move in cooler temperatures from the interior and the Kalahari Desert to reach the water. You can see large herds of elephants and buffalo around the water sources in concentrated numbers. This attracts many predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. You may see wild dogs from Africa as they search for shelters for their pups. You can see baboons, warthogs, and giraffes everywhere.
This time of year, the trees are also bare, providing excellent visibility. The weather is cool and dry with bright sunny days. These dry roads can be accessed easily at this time of the year.
Mid-winter temperatures can reach as high as 25 degrees Celsius during the day and drop to as low as 2 degrees Celsius at night. Temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius in mid-summer, and the weather begins to warm up in October.
